The University of Houston has held a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the beginning of construction on a $52 million academic building for the Hobby School of Public Affairs.
The 42,000-square-foot building will be erected on the east side of campus. It is scheduled to be completed in time for the university’s centennial celebration in 2027.
The Hobby School, named for former Texas Lieutenant Governor Bill Hobby and his family, was established in 2016, building on the extensive educational and research programs of the Center for Public Policy, which was founded at the university in 1981.
The Hobby School has grown significantly over the past decade – a 700% increase in undergraduate enrollment since introducing a bachelor’s degree in public policy in 2022, and a nearly 850% increase in graduate enrollment since the first Master of Public Policy was offered in 2015.
The design for the new facility is centered on community and wellness. Open spaces encourage creativity, and sunlit views throughout the building nurture positivity.
The architect is Lake|Flato.
