The Rice Design Alliance Gala 2012

Roswitha Vogler
Posted:
October 15, 2012
Event Date:
October 14, 2012

What: Celebrating the 100th anniversaries of the Rice University and the Rice School of Architecture and bringing the architecture, building, engineering, and design communities together.

Where: Rice University, Founders Court

When: Sunday, October 14, 2012

Time: 6:00 pm

Ticket Prices: $500 Benefactor ticket

Honoree(s): Stephen Klineberg, Founding Co-Director Kinder Institute for Urban Research, Founder of the Kinder Houston Area Survey, and Rice University Professor of Sociology

Presenting Sponsor(s): D. E. Harvey Builders, Haynes Whaley Associates, Satterfield & Ponitkes Construction Inc., Nancy C.Allen, Walter P. Moore

Gala Chairperson(s): Jory Alexander, Jay Baker

Co-Chair(s): Doug Combes, Sandra C. Lynch

Executive Director: Linda L. Sylvan

President(s): Lonnie Hoogeboom

Staff: Mary Swift, Mary Beth Woiccak, Raj Mankad, Katie Plochack, Cathy Nauer, Raquel Puccio

Welcome: RDA President Lonnie Hoogeboom

Catering: Jackson and Company

Entertainment: Grady Caines and the Texas Upsetters

Sponsors: Harvey, Haynes Walley Associates, S & P Satterfield & Ponitkes Construction Inc.

Menu: Butternut Squash Soup; Filet Mignon of Prime-Aged Angus Beef, topped with a Pecan Angula Pesto Mushroom Cap, Whipped Potatoes, Haircots Verts, Yeast Rolls.

Attendance: 900+

Attire: Black Tie

Event Coordinator: Katie Plocheck, Mary Swift

Board of Directors: The RDA board of directors is composed of 50 community leaders from various fields, the dean of the School of Architecture at Rice University, and two student representatives from Rice and the University of Houston College of Architecture.

Blacktie Photos by: Roswitha Vogler/photosbyrovo.com

This year’s Rice Design Alliance Gala was a star-studded event to celebrate 40 years of providing architectural programs to the public and 30 years of Cite Magazine, along with Rice University’s and Rice School of Architecture’s 100th anniversaries. Honoree Stephen Klineberg was applauded for his 40 years of dedication to Rice and his commitment for over 30 years to Houston via the Houston Area Survey.

RDA President Lonnie Hoogeboom welcomed the guests and introduced the Gala Co-Chairs Jory Alexander and Jay Baker.

Guests were delighted by a secret spectacle. The Spectacle represents 'Urbanscreen' an award-winning group of German artistis, first performance in the United States, an occasion benefitting a world-class Centennial Celebration. By engaging with the iconic architecture of Rice's Academic Quadrangle, the Spectacle takes viewers on an artistic journey through Rice's past, present and future, resulting in a work that is both timeless and spectacular.

Dancing ensued under a blanket of stars amid a backdrop of Rice’s iconic Lovett Hall. The auction featured not mere items but incredible once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

Festivities on this beautiful Sunday evening occured in a glass-walled tent along the grassy stretch of green known as Founders Court. Klineberg, who is best known as the founding co-director of the Kinder Institute for Urban Research and founder of the aforementioned Houston Area Survey, was given the Award for Design Excellence. Following the year of its own 30th anniversary, Klineberg’s survey has become a treasure trove of information about Houston’s transformation from a southern, Anglo-dominated city dependent on natural resources to a multiethnic metroplex where human resources are in high demand. According to Klineberg, no other city “more clearly exemplifies the transformations that are refashioning the social and political landscape of urban America.” In March, “Interesting Times,” a film that vividly depicts the survey’s findings, was released. Klineberg’s discoveries focus on Houston’s quality of life as our sprawling city calls for more urban, less car-centered choices; embraces its growing diversity; and navigates its residents’ access to quality education.

About Rice Design Alliance

The Rice Design Alliance Gala is an annual event that draws the architecture, building, engineering, and design communities together to celebrate those individuals and institutions that have made an impact on the built environment.


RDA is dedicated to advancing architecture, urban design, and the built environment in the Houston region through educational programs, the publication of Cite, and programs to initiate physical improvements. We seek to enhance the quality of life within our community.

For more information, visit ww.ricedesignalliance.org

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