Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), in partnership with BNIM, has revealed a groundbreaking vision plan for the University of Kansas School of Architecture & Design: the Makers’ KUbe. This plan brings together all architecture and design programs into three interconnected buildings, including the historic Marvin Hall, Chalmers Hall, and the new Makers’ KUbe. The goal is to create a campus that embodies creativity, connectivity, innovation, and environmental stewardship.
The Makers’ KUbe is a remarkable structure, a 50,000-square-foot mass timber cube. Its unique timber diagrid frame, engineered by StructureCraft, is designed to minimize materials and reduce carbon-intensive concrete. Inspired by traditional Japanese joinery techniques, the building’s structure utilizes tight-fit dowels and notched glulam to create an all-wood framework without the need for steel plates or fasteners.
The KUbe’s façade is stripped back, revealing the timber structure enclosed in glass. This design choice eliminates cladding and finishing, showcasing the building’s MEP systems and highlighting its minimal and efficient nature. The combination of transparent and opaque insulated glass on the exterior allows for creativity and privacy, while also reducing glare. Additionally, the building’s enclosure incorporates biodegradable hempwool insulation for improved thermal performance, which is visible within the facade’s shadow boxes.
The KUbe’s orientation has been adjusted to align with Wescoe Drive and neighboring structures, allowing for increased natural light and ventilation within the current buildings. Winter garden bridges on the second floor of the KUbe connect it to Marvin Hall and Chalmers Hall, facilitating easy movement between buildings during colder months and promoting interactions among students and faculty. The ground-level corners of the KUbe are inwardly angled, creating welcoming covered entrances that link the building to the surrounding open areas. Meanwhile, the upper-level corners are set back to provide accessible terraces with unobstructed views of the campus and cityscape.
The Makers’ KUbe serves as a center for innovation and a valuable resource for students. Its six-story open plan design, filled with natural light, fosters collaboration among students in a flexible studio environment. The KUbe houses open studio spaces, 3D-printing and robotic labs, and a ground-level cafe, all organized around a central core. The floorplates are designed to accommodate a mix of single and double height spaces, which can be partitioned to create traditional classrooms. A fire-resistant spiral staircase serves as an egress feature, encouraging spontaneous creative interactions and maximizing floor space. Additionally, all interior materials are recyclable.
Embodying the university’s principles, the proposed campus design prioritizes the preservation and adaptation of existing structures while incorporating timber to reduce its carbon footprint. Both the Makers’ KUbe and Chalmers Hall feature rooftops equipped with photovoltaic panels to generate energy for the buildings. Rainwater collected on the KUbe’s roof is stored and utilized for irrigating the site’s landscaping, which includes native plant species that further minimize water consumption.
Overall, this design for the University of Kansas School of Architecture & Design is a testament to BIG’s commitment to meeting the needs of the campus community while prioritizing sustainability and innovation.