Architecture to dedicate Morris Lounge Sept. 1

Architect Charles Renfro tests the sculptural bench during construction. Courtesy of Diller Scofidio + Renfro

The SI and Susie Morris Lounge at the Rice University School of Architecture will be unveiled at 4 p.m. Sept. 1 in the Anderson Hall courtyard.

The lounge is a sculptural bench that encircles the large tree in the Rice School of Architecture’s courtyard. The lounge was designed by Charles Renfro ’89 of Diller Scofidio + Renfro. The project is named by its benefactors, the Morris family, for late Rice alumnus Seth Irwin “SI” Morris ’35 and his wife, Susie, who died Aug. 19.

Both were longtime Rice supporters. SI was a member of the university’s Board of Governors and was named a Distinguished Alumnus in 1981 and received the Gold Medal Award from the Rice Alumni in 1991.

A rendering of the SI and Susie Morris Lounge. Courtesy of Diller Scofidio + Renfro