Guest blog by Patricio Ramos Berho
One of the most unexpected joys of my time at Booth has been discovering just how many beautiful, comfortable, and inspiring spots there are across the University of Chicago to relax, study, or simply enjoy the moment.
Coming from Mexico, where outdoor spaces are often central to everyday life, I was curious how a place like Chicago, with its dramatic weather changes, could cultivate that same sense of open, communal space. It turns out, it does so in its own incredible way.
As I got to know the campus better, I started capturing not just the dramatic seasons, but the spaces in between, the chairs under golden trees, the quiet indoor corners with soft light, the spots where people naturally gather without needing an invitation. It made me realize: the design of this campus doesn’t just support academic rigor, it invites connection.
Take the quad on a sunny fall day. In one of my favorite photos, groups of students sit scattered across the lawn, talking, reading, or just soaking in the warmth. Behind them, ivy climbs the stone walls of the Gothic buildings, catching the light. There’s something peaceful and grounding about being able to share a public space like that with others, no agenda, just presence.
In another photo, someone sits alone beneath a tree, laptop open, stretching in the sun. It’s such a simple moment, but to me it captures the balance that Booth encourages: productivity and pause, intensity and ease. These quiet corners offer breathing room amidst the demands of business school.
Then there’s the courtyard near the reflecting pool. I watched two students chatting over lunch beneath a curtain of burnt-orange leaves, sunlight filtering through like a warm filter. It reminded me how often the best conversations happen not in classrooms, but around a shared table, outside, in an unhurried space.
And of course, the cozy indoor pockets, like the sunlit hallway I photographed with its tall windows and mid-century chairs. You’ll find students there on cold days, warmed by the light, reading or typing away in a calm that feels almost sacred. These places blur the line between work and rest, between solitude and community.
What I’ve realized through my lens is that space shapes experience. The way the University of Chicago opens itself up, with chairs that can be moved, green spaces that invite you to linger, and quiet interiors that welcome focus, builds more than convenience. It builds community. These spaces let us be ourselves, alone or together, and in doing so, they help turn classmates into friends, and a campus into home.
