May Alumni E-Newsletter
OFFICE OF THE DEAN
Good News and Momentum!
APDesign in Legislation
Last Sunday Governor Sam Brownback signed legislation committing another $1.5 million, on top of last year’s $1 million, to the APDesign Targeted Enhancement Initiative aimed at increasing resources for faculty, students and the revitalization of Seaton Hall. In addition, while not yet guaranteed, the legislation includes language dedicating $5 million per year from general state funds beginning in FY 2016. This is the momentum we have needed to move forward on realizing a facility reflecting our values and commensurate with our national reputation.
Needless to say, we are very thankful for the support of our many friends and advocates in the Kansas Legislature and Board of Regents, for the Governor’s constant focus on helping us move forward and for the dedication of President Schulz and his administration for their tireless championing of APDesign. In parallel, we owe many, many wonderful alumni and friends a debt of gratitude for the stalwart advocacy in the Kansas Statehouse over the past few months. These folks were in the trenches at the Capitol, extoling the virtues of APDesign and the importance of our graduates in ginning the Kansas economy and quality of life. Ours is a potent message!
Our Design Team Selection
As you are likely well aware, an event earlier this month was a major milestone in the history of APDesign. On April 3rd, four incredible design teams presented their qualifications to lead the process of reworking Seaton Hall into a 21st Century nexus of design and planning teaching, research and service. I am both thankful and proud of the showing made by our students, faculty, staff and alumni. Each session had approximately 200 in attendance, providing us with very useful feedback through completed questionnaires and commentary. The results, as well as deliberations of an advisory committee comprised of faculty, staff, students and alumni representatives, provided valuable insight into our aspirations for our design team.
Following our presentations, each team presented on April 4th to a ‘negotiating committee’ in Topeka as specified by State of Kansas statute for projects involving state funding. The negotiating committee includes the Kansas Board of Regents Architect, an architect from the Office of Facilities Planning and Management and the Vice President of Facilities for Kansas State University. I was in attendance as an observer for each team’s subsequent presentation and remained for the committee’s deliberations where I was asked to summarize the rankings and comments from Thursday’s questionnaires and advisory committee meeting. I am very appreciative of the committee for giving me the opportunity to convey the collective discernments of our college.
At all levels of the process, the same team, based on their qualifications, structure and composition in alignment with our aspirations, emerged as the top choice to lead us forward on this project. In this regard, the process served us very well, eliminating any ambiguity in who to work with. Although each team had superb qualities, the final selection was clear-cut!
I am very pleased to inform you that we will be working with ‘BNIM/Ennead/Confluence (hereafter referred to as ‘The Team’ for sake of brevity) as we move forward on our project. In addition to the lead firms, The Team has a number of consultants to be deployed in addressing particular programmatic and systemic issues imbedded in our project as well as experts addressing budgeting and sequential issues. Additionally, the delivery method of the project is yet to be determined but the possibility of some form of construction management structure is being considered give the complexity of our site and the need for us to continue to provide a great educational experience throughout the construction project.
I have spoken with members of The Team and can tell you they are overjoyed with the prospect of working with us. Following contract negotiations, we will work with The Team to construct a process involving the greatest number of shareholders possible. In this regard, the process will be much more open and participatory than was possible during the accelerated programming phase. Based on the attendance at our public presentations there will be no shortage of willing participants!
When I was hired five years ago, President Schulz charged me to do something about our facilities. The following year I queried the Deans Advisory Council as to the best way to proceed in order to build the greatest buy-in for the project even as identifying the design team for a design college is not an easy task. The DAC, to their wisdom made two important recommendations; 1) Make the process as open and transparent as possible and, 2) employ the most qualified team, regardless of their institutional ties and geography. We have adhered to these recommendations in selecting professionals for both the programming and design phases of the process.
What’s Next?
It is vitally important that we continue to make significant strides in raising the philanthropic profile of APDesign. The structure of the Targeted Enhancement Initiative leverages matching funds generated by APDesign in securing and maintaining the support from the State of Kansas necessary to realize our aspirations for Seaton Hall and in growing the quality of our programs. Very simply, we need greater levels and participation in supporting APDesign. No commitment is too large or too small!
Please feel free to contact me anytime!
Loose Lips Sink Ships
You may recall hearing this idiom, created for propaganda posters in World War II in a campaign to advise against careless talk concerning secure information. In this case, I bring the phrase forward for consideration in how we talk of our professions.
While maintaining a vibrant practice is certainly a challenge when negotiating the crests and troughs of the economy, it seems incredibly unwise to poormouth, as some do, our disciplines or advise potential students not to pursue degrees in the design and planning professions. In fact I know, as most of you do, that these are great, wonderfully enriching professions with incredible opportunities and above average job growth moving into the next decade.
As a college, we put significant resources into identifying and recruiting potential students even as the economy has been a challenge. I hope each of you will continue to advocate for our college in attracting students by extolling the virtues of our disciplines. The next generation of graduates may very well redefine the boundaries of practice in ways none of us can even imagine. While we shouldn’t be Pollyanna, we shouldn’t squash dreams either!
We want to know about YOU!
The APDesign community at large wants to know what you have been up to this year! Please submit your story, photos, awards, employment opportunities or just say hello to the email address below. We use this information to put on our digital display panels to inspire students and faculty as well as let the University know how fantastic our alumni are! We would very much like to publish some of these in our next APDesign Magazine that is due out in August 2014 so don’t delay – send today!
Send to tjackson@ksu.edu
DEPARTMENT OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE REGIONAL & COMMUNITY PLANNING
Landscape Architecture alumni should watch for the program’s 50th celebration save the date postcard to arrive in their mailboxes in early May. The celebration will take place November 7-8, 2014. Click here to visit the website for more details and find out how you can participate. We look forward to seeing you in November!
Landscape Architecture Students Win Five Awards at Regional Conference
Landscape architecture students were recognized for outstanding contribution to landscape architecture at the American Society of Landscape Architects Central States Conference. The awards were given at the ninth annual conference awards luncheon that was held on Friday, April 11 in Omaha, Neb. are;
- Honor Award, Design (unbuilt) - Productive Ground: 21st Century Design Strategies for Fairmont Park - Natalie Martell, Major Professor Jessica Canfield
- Honor Award, Planning and Analysis - Complex Catalysts: Resilient Urbanism for Eastern KCMO - Benji Williamson, Diane Cochiarra, Kraig Weber, Rebecca Liu, Professors Blake Belanger and Howard Hahn
- Merit Award, Design (unbuilt) - Prairie Vision: Envisioning a Sustainable Model for Campus Stormwater Management- Benji Williamson, Jared Sickmann, Lauren Heermann, Amanda Kline, Professors Jessica Canfield and Lee Skabelund
- Merit Award, Design (unbuilt) - The Rain Pocket - Parker Ruskamp, Rebecca Liu, Taylor Allen, Wesley Moore, Katie Burke, Professors Jessica Canfield and Lee Skabelund
- Merit Award, Planning and Analysis - Redesigning River des Peres: To Improve, Protect and Maintain - Anne Denney, MLA '13, Major Professor Tim Keane
American Society of Landscape Architects Central States region includes eight states and six chapters in North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, Oklahoma and Arkansas.
Landscape Architecture Students Work to Re-imagine Downtown St. Joseph
During the past spring semester the landscape architecture site planning and design studio has engaged in the first portion of a multi-semester partnership between St. Joseph and the department.
The partnership developed in collaboration with the Mo-Kan regional council and the City of St. Joseph, has allowed for students to actively engage with community members and participate in a four day site visit earlier in April. The students have worked in teams of two to generate ideas for specific parts of downtown St. Joseph.
“My hope is that students will gain a better understanding of collaborating with stakeholders and community members, and an appreciation of the role landscape architects can play in strategic and visionary planning,” assistant professor of landscape architecture, Alpa Nawre said. “They will also get an opportunity to play a role in catalyzing important changes in downtown St. Joseph.”
Students began the project with research and mapping, followed by development of conceptual design alternatives. These alternatives were critiqued by key project partner’s midway through the semester. The proposals were subsequently refined and presented to city officials, community stakeholders and local design professionals in St. Joseph through several community engagement sessions.
“I really enjoyed hearing the range of ideals held by community members and stakeholders,” landscape architecture student, Wesley Moore said. “It is interesting to me to see that the designer's role is often to be a good listener and a mediator of sorts.”
Moore and his teammate focused on providing a public space that enables individuals and organizations to not only interact, but also to utilize and shape the space so it might best meet the community's needs.
The final studio projects will be presented to the community at Better Block St. Joe May 2-3. The two-day event celebrates ideas for improving downtown St. Joseph. Prior to Better Block St. Joe, students will deliver formal presentations to St. Joseph City Council members. Throughout the event, students will be exhibiting their final project posters, short videos and talking with community members about their ideas.
“The goal for the partnership is that the community gains a set of visionary ideas that helps them to re-imagine the potential for downtown development in St. Joseph,” associate professor of landscape architecture, Blake Belanger said.
Food Truck Fever in Kansas City, Missouri: A Spatio-Political Analysis of Food Truck Activity – Project Abstract
Deanne Petersen, MRCP 5th year, looked at the benefits of food trucks and how cities can modify their policies to encourage food truck activity for her master’s project. Read about her research and upcoming presentation at the American Planning Association Conference in April.
What is the focus of your research?
My master's project looks at the benefits of food trucks and how cities can modify their policies to encourage food truck activity. Since the boom of the modern food truck industry post-2008, planners have noted the social, economic, and cultural benefits the food truck industry can provide within a community. For example, food trucks can serve as revitalization catalysts to activate streets and urban spaces. While food trucks have become an increasingly visible aspect of street life, few jurisdictions have determined an effective manner to regulate the industry. As a result, my study engaged multiple stakeholders in order to inform policy guidelines that allow food trucks to operate effectively, thus augment the benefits food truck activity provides within a community.
How did you decide to focus on that?
The driving force behind my research topic was my interest in public spaces and active transportation. Because of the separation of land uses and dominance of the automobile, cities have experienced a decline in active streets and spaces. However, planners are now at the forefront of a shift to again prioritize pedestrian activity and lively urban spaces. As a "wicked problem" in the planning field, there is not one all-inclusive solution to the issue; however, food truck activity serves as one opportunity to revitalize urban spaces. While research in the past several years has demonstrated the benefits of food trucks, my research addresses a gap in the literature by exploring the policy implications of food truck activity.
Is there something you've found through your research that you wish others knew about?
Years ago, predecessors to the modern food truck were often labeled as "roach coaches" because they operated under the radar and sometimes caused public health issues. Today, that is not the case. The trust between vendors and customers has grown over the past few years, but it is important to note that food trucks are subject to the same health oversight and inspections as storefront restaurants. Many modern food trucks are operated by well-known chefs and serve delicious, gourmet food. They tend to be local people who are invested in the community and simply enjoy bringing social activity to the streets.
What is the most interesting fact you've learned from your research?
Through a survey with food truck vendors, I discovered that 100 percent of the vendors were willing to locate on vacant lots. In fact, one of the most popular locations in Kansas City, Missouri is a privately-owned vacant lot in the Crossroads Arts District that has come to be known as "The Truck Stop." By vending in underutilized spaces and empty parking lots, food trucks can really bring new activity to areas that need it the most. In fact, most people create a greater connection to the social experiences provided by food trucks in these places rather than the environmental attributes of a space. As a result, food trucks can make rather "ordinary" or "boring" spaces lively and active again.
What do you hope to do after graduation?
With my interest in public spaces and transportation, I hope to work in a private firm that allows me to work on projects that activate spaces and benefit communities. I am also particularly interested in interdisciplinary approaches to planning and design issues, and I have really enjoyed that aspect of my education in the joint Landscape Architecture and Planning department at K-State.
Is there one person who has influenced your work or research the most?
When I was interning this past summer in Kansas City, I attended one of the monthly sessions sponsored by the Kansas City section of the American Planning Association (APA). The presentation that month happened to involve a panel of professionals discussing the food truck industry. After the presentation, the informal conversation I had with a food truck vendor and area planners really "got my wheels turning" about food truck activity and its implications. Overall, my participation in the APA chapter and section events has definitely influenced my education and my professional experiences.
Can you tell me about why you decided to submit your abstract to the APA Conference?
In the beginning of the fall semester when I was just starting to formulate my project idea, my major professor, Dr. Hyung Jin Kim, challenged me to submit an abstract for a publication or conference. I looked into a few opportunities and remembered that APA selects several students each year to share their research at the National Conference. I was notified in December that my abstract had been accepted through a competitive selection process.
What do you hope to gain by attending the APA Conference in Atlanta?
I attended the National Conference in Atlanta two years ago in my 3rd year of the program, and I was excited to have an excuse to return and learn about recent planning projects. I am also much more skilled at "networking" now than I was two years ago and I look forward to making new connections with professionals. Although it requires some extra work on my behalf (and managing my time so that I can afford to be in Atlanta during a busy time of the school year), I am excited to present my research and "show off" to potential employers. Studying food trucks is a very up-and-coming topic in the planning realm and I think that conference attendees will enjoy my presentation.
When will you be presenting at the APA Conference?
The APA National Conference takes place on Saturday, April 26th though Tuesday, April 29th. Although my master's project poster will be displayed throughout the entire conference, I will be presenting my research on Monday, April 27th from noon – 2 p.m.
Deanne Petersen is a graduate student in her final year of the five-year Master of Regional Community Planning program at K-State. She has become particularly interested in transportation planning, streetscapes and urban design, public engagement, and interdisciplinary approaches to planning and design issues. Deanne has enjoyed participating as a student member of the American Planning Association and have held two executive board positions in our Student Planning Association. She has also completed two public sector internships―one with the City of Maryland Heights (a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri) and the second with the Mid-American Regional Council (the metropolitan planning organization in the Kansas City region).
Communication and Advancing Toward Sustainable Communities
Dr. Huston Gibson, assistant professor in the Department of Landscape Architecture and Regional & Community Planning was named a Big 12 Faculty Fellow for the 2013-2014 year. Through his fellowship he focused on researching Communication and Advancing Toward Sustainable Communities.
The fellowship has not only allowed Gibson to focus on his research, but it has also allowed for collaboration with faculty at other Big 12 universities, including the University of Oklahoma.
Gibson's research is part of collaboration with Dr. Meghan Wieters, assistant professor in the Division of Regional and City Planning at the University of Oklahoma. The idea was borne while Wieters and Gibson were on a tour of Green Infrastructure at the 2012 Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning conference in Cincinnati. Gibson and Wieters met for the first time on that tour, and talked throughout about the challenges planners have talking "green" in their respective home states. The two continued their dialog via email and phone conversation, and came up with the study.
Gibson’s and Wieters’ research focuses on how planners present important environmental topics for discussion within various communities. This includes exploring what type of data is viewed as helpful, methods that are positively received, and terminologies that assist in environmental planning. None of this exploration is determining the outcome of a planning effort, but more importantly working to find pathways that allow intelligent, meaningful discussions within our communities about water usage, water flow and quality, air quality, health outcomes, climate change, management of resources, and other relevant planning issues.
"The notion that planning is so tied to public opinion; or preconception of a topic, before it has the chance to be legitimately discussed," Gibson said. "Planners must be aware of political, cultural and social differences that will allow for more productive debates, rather than immediately shutting down dialogue."
During his fellowship term, Gibson has travelled to the University of Oklahoma, teaching in their Regional and City Planning program and coordinating with their faculty for two weeks in October 2013. Gibson says the time spent at the University of Oklahoma learning about their program was one of the most rewarding parts of his fellowship. K-State then hosted Wieters for a week where she presented to the department and guest taught in courses.
Through his research Gibson said "reaffirmation that there is no one-size fits all way to do things" is the underlying notion. The study reinforced for Gibson that context and more importantly the understanding of context, is significant for planners.
Gibson and Wieters have presented their work at the Kansas Chapter of the American Planning Association in October; Gibson spoke about the research to the K-State Department of Chemical Engineering in January and there are several scheduled outlets for future dissemination in the near future.
2014 APDesign Alumni Fellow Graduate of Regional and Community Planning Program
Ray Willis, 1971Master of Regional and Community Planning graduate was recognized as the 2014 APDesign Alumni Fellow. Willis visited campus on April 16-18 to receive his award. While on campus he spoke to faculty, past and present, and students about "Moving Forward with HUD": A City Planner's Perspective.
Willis serves as the director of community planning and development for Chicago's Office of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, where he has made numerous contributions as planner, innovator and manager. He oversees one of the department's largest portfolios of community development programs, administering an annual budget in excess of $1 billion.
Willis leads the department's Illinois efforts in key program areas including community and economic development, supportive housing for the homeless, housing opportunities for individuals with HIV/AIDS and disaster relief. In 1996, he was selected as a Chicago delegate to the United Nations' Human Settlements conference in Istanbul, Turkey.
Before joining housing and urban development, Willis worked for the state government in Ohio, the Housing Authority of Kansas City, Kan., and as an assistant professor of regional and community planning at K-State. Additionally, he has served as a director on several nonprofit boards in Chicago. He earned his bachelor's degree in sociology and his master's degree in regional and community planning, both from K-State.
DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE & PRODUCT DESIGN
Interior Architecture & Product Design Department Head has New Role: President of National Council
The head of Kansas State University's interior architecture & product design department in the College of Architecture, Planning & Design has become the first person from the university to be elected president of the Interior Design Educators Council Inc.
Katherine Ankerson's term as the council's 32nd president starts May 1. She has spent 2013-2014 as the council's president-elect.
Founded in 1962, the Interior Design Educators Council Inc. is a North American organization dedicated to the development and improvement of interior design education. Its mission is one of advancing interior design education, scholarship and service. With a strong and active member base, the council is also home to the Journal of Interior Design, a scholarly, refereed publication dedicated to scholarly inquiry related to issues representing the entire spectrum of design of the interior environment.
"I am excited by Kathy's example of national leadership in service to her profession. Her engagement is a powerful example of active leadership in advancing the design professions for all of our students," said Tim de Noble, dean of the College of Architecture, Planning & Design, or APDesign.
Ankerson is completing her third year as head of the interior architecture & product design department. Before joining Kansas State University, she served as an associate dean and a professor at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. She also served in academic positions at Radford University and Washington State University after spending many years as a practicing architect and designer.
A strong proponent of design education, Ankerson believes in the potency of interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary engagement, the value of design plus making, and embracing new technologies in addition to strengthening traditional design tools. She thinks that design education today must prepare global design citizens who foster synergy, embrace successful collaboration, and who recognize interconnectedness with an awareness of the responsibility of individual and collective actions in personal, social and environmental arenas.
Ankerson is an active author and has written multiple books published by Fairchild Books. Her book "Illustrated Codes of Designers: Residential" received theInterior Design Educators Council's 2013 Book Award. She was the lead for the 20th anniversary Nuckolls Lighting grant activity that involved nine other educators from four major universities who initiated and produced the Web-based resource Lighting Across the (Design) Curriculum, whichincludes a series of seven interactive modules. This resource was awarded the 2013 Media Award from the Interior Design Educators Council.
Ankerson received a Bachelor of Architecture and Master of Architecture from Washington State University.
Interior architecture & Product Design Students Develop Biodiversity Exhibition Proposals for Flint Hills Discovery Center
Third-year interior architecture and product design students at Kansas State University's College of Architecture, Planning & Design have put their design skills on exhibition.
The students have worked for the last five weeks with Manhattan's Flint Hills Discovery Center to define "Biodiversity in the Flint Hills," turning their research into interactive exhibition design proposals to interest children ages 7-12.
The project was led by David Richter-O'Connell, assistant professor of interior architecture and product design.
Starting with a general definition of biodiversity as the range of flora and fauna found living in an environment or ecosystem, as well as the factors and forces such as weather, climate change, human populations and land use that affect the biodiverse ecosystem, the students further explored the topic from the standpoint of area families, ranchers and soldiers to develop exhibition designs that include information, artifacts, multimedia presentations and interactive activities.
Their exhibition designs will be on display at a town hall-style reception from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, in the Flint Hills Discovery Center's atrium. The reception is free and the public is invited. Visitors who would like to explore the center after dropping by the reception will need to pay the admission fee.
To develop their designs, the students also interviewed and worked with a variety of area community members, including:
* Flint Hills Discovery Center staff members Fred Goss, director; Roy Garrett, exhibits/operations manager; and Jared Bixby, curator of education.
* Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art guest lecturer David Russik, an exhibition designer at the Milwaukee Art Museum.
* Fort Riley staff and eco-management professionals Erik Zenk, Steven Wahle and Christopher Otto.
* Interior architecture and product design department faculty members Vibhavari Jani, associate professor; Steve Davidson, assistant professor; and Dustin Headley, assistant professors.
* Landscape architect professor and researcher Timothy Keane of the university's landscape architecture/regional and community planning department.
* Konza Prairie Biological Research Station personnel.
* And many other local groups and resources.
A Seat for Success: Interior Architecture & Product Design Student's Chair Wins Kansas City Competition
A study abroad experience helped a Kansas State University interior architecture & product design student bring home top honors in a "monster" of a design competition.
Josef Lang, fourth year interior design & architecture student in the university's College of Architecture, Planning and Design, or APDesign, earned best in show honors for his chair design in the "Monsters of Design" competition, a part of Kansas City's annual Design Week. The competition is open to designers and architects within a 200-mile radius of Kansas City.
"Josef is a talented designer, a motivated leader and a well-loved member of the APDesign community. While I am always excited to see our students recognized for their talent, in Josef's case I am particularly pleased to see a wonderful person rewarded for his dedication,” said Tim de Noble, dean of the College of Architecture, Planning & Design.
Fifty applicants submitted designs for the event, with Lang, Bellevue, Neb., winning the top prize for his chair called "CR45."
"It was a great moment of validation," said Lang, who put in more than 1,000 hours of work into the design and its multiple prototypes.
"CR45" is a direct result of a summer 2013 study abroad experience in Copenhagen at the Danish Institute, Lang said. He studied furniture design under Flemming Steen Jesen, a Danish designer and practicing professional.
The name of Lang's design even pays tribute to Denmark.
"The 'CR' stands for cantilevered rod and the '45' is the country code when dialing Denmark — giving credit to the design's country of origin," he said.
The summer furniture studio class Lang was in split into four groups and students were challenged to design with only one specific material for the structure of their piece. Lang was given the solid steel category and from there decided to take a minimalist approach, designing a cantilevered chair.
The steel arches from the early industrial period of Western Europe inspired Lang's design. The arches maximized their efficiency by creating space frames that diagram the forces acting on traditional monolithic arched constructions. He used their trusses as a guide to create a space frame to compensate for the disadvantages posed by the geometry of the solid rod.
Since returning from Copenhagen, Lang has been making the "CR45" chairs by hand in his garage. His submission for "Monsters of Design" was based on the fifth prototype, but Lang says he is always looking for ways to make it a little better. He is currently working with a manufacturer to explore increased production of the chairs as interest in them is growing.
"A lot of credit is owed to the interior architecture & product design curriculum and mindset that equally values the conceptualizing of a design and physically realizing it as being equally integral components of what makes great design possible," Lang said.
Design Week is sponsored by a wide range of companies and organization and offers speakers, events, competitions and exhibitions, each showing a different facet of design.
Lang is a 2010 graduate of Bellevue East High School in Bellevue.
DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE
Small Town Studio Awarded K-State Engagement Honor
The College of Architecture, Planning & Design’s Small Town Studio Eureka Project has been selected to receive the K-State Excellence in Engagement award. A review committee composed of both on and off campus stakeholders was very impressed with the Studio’s close two-year collaboration with stakeholders and citizens of Eureka, Kansas. The Studio was praised for the range and immediacy of issues addressed, the development of strong partnerships, and the intensive level of student involvement in the community.
The Small Town Studio of the Department of Architecture was formed in 2012 by Associate Professor Todd Gabbard to engage rural communities across Kansas with student-generated visualization services. Small towns are generally underserved by architects, planners, and designers, said Gabbard, which makes student involvement in these communities an excellent opportunity for towns and students alike. “The work with Eureka and other Kansas communities is an invaluable learning experience for our fifth-year architecture students,” said Gabbard. “The students’ engagement in the background work necessary to make an architectural project viable, such as communicating with clients and stakeholders, building community consensus, and addressing project implementation, will be of tremendous help as they move towards the professional world.”
In addition to the Excellence in Engagement Award, the Center of Engagement and Community Development urged Professor Gabbard to apply for the APLU’s C. Peter Magrath University Community Engagement Award. This national award was established to identify colleges and universities that have redesigned their learning, discovery and engagement functions to become even more involved with their communities. “Professor Gabbard has been instrumental in our departmental efforts to work with communities and groups needing design assistance. By working with these groups our students are able to demonstrate the value of design and open the door for design professionals to have a community wide impact. ” said Matt Knox, Head of the Department of Architecture.
The Small Town Studio has provided services to six Kansas communities, including Cuba, Pittsburg, Colby, Jamestown and Blue Rapids. The Studio’s most prominent partnership has been with the city of Eureka, with more than a dozen projects completed or ongoing. “Eurekans were very open to the idea of an architecture design studio taking on the development of projects in town,” Gabbard said, “and the collaboration is bearing fruit.” The town, Gabbard notes, has begun to mobilize by setting up a new non-profit, the Eureka Studio, that will help to pursue student-generated projects after the end of the semester. “Two local architects, Lester Limon of PKHLS Architecture and Waylon Arndt of ReEnvision, are working directly with students to help bring their designs to the level of constructability and will be key agents in making those projects manifest.” “This is the kind of public/private collaboration that can make significant impact.” said Dean Tim de Noble.
The community-based partnership has been beneficial for everyone involved. Small towns are often eager to receive new ideas, and architecture students value the opportunity to gain experience while testing design concepts. A few projects have already been implemented – the headquarters of the Eureka Studio on Main Street and Gallery M, an art exhibition space on Third Street, with several others moving towards implementation. “There is something inherently optimistic about new construction,” said Gabbard. “Even small projects can change attitudes and build momentum.”
Gibson's fifth year architectural design studio developing Cool Skin prototypes for testing
Ted and Sue Knapp Delineation Competition Awards Eight APDesign Students
MANHATTAN — Work by students from Kansas State University's College of Architecture, Planning & Design, or APDesign, for the annual Ted and Sue Knapp Delineation Competition.
The annual completion was open to all students at APDesign, including those in the articulated program at the University of Missouri, Kansas City. It is sponsored by Ted Knapp, a 1964 Kansas State University architecture alumnus, and his wife Sue. Competition awards include $2,000 for best in show-first place and $1,000 for best in show-second place. First place in each competition category earns $250, while honorable mention earns $100.
The competition jury included Ted Knapp, principal at TK Architects, Kansas City; Tracy Anderson, Kansas State University architecture alumnus and principal at Action Pact Design, Manhattan; and Carsten Boschen, senior designer, Box Lab, Manhattan.
Winning entries by APDesign students include:
Lillian Cooper, fifth-year student in architecture, Atchison, first place in the freehand color category for "The Roman Pool"; Jason Barker, second-year student in architecture, Junction City, honorable mention in the freehand black and white category for a rendering of "Therme Vals"; and Elizabeth Decker, fifth-year student in landscape architecture, Leavenworth, honorable mention in the mixed media category for "Steam Punk."
From out of state: Gongyan Liu, third-year student in architecture, Ballwin, Mo., honorable mention in the computer category for "Omotesando Submerged"; Lindsey Telford, fifth-year senior in architecture, St. Louis, Mo., first place in the freehand black and white category for "Pina Baush-Café Muller"; and Alex Palmer, fourth-year student in architecture, Flower Mound, Texas, first place in the computer category for "Theater Section Perspective."
From out of country: Lanting Su, third-year student in architecture, Gangzhou, China, best in show-first place, for "Medusa"; and Ying Zhu, fifth-year student in architecture, Hangzhou, China, first place in the mixed media category for "Deshaus."
Multicultural Student Charrette
What do students think would be the ideal design for a place where all members of the Kansas State University could come together and share or express ideas while respecting another's culture, race, creed, gender or orientation?
That was the challenge for College of Architecture, Planning & Design students who participated in the APDesign Center for Multicultural Enrichment charrette Feb. 22 at Seaton Hall. The purpose of the charrette was to create a design for a multicultural student center on campus in a limited amount of time.
The charrette was inspired by Kirk Schulz, Kansas State University president; Myra Gordon, associate provost for the office of diversity; and Damien Williams, director of development for university programs and diversity at the Kansas State University Foundation, who saw the need for the center.
“I am so pleased, although not surprised, to see the efforts of our students, not only during the charrette, which resulted in some really wonderful design ideas for this campus resource, but in advance of the event. The organizers, assisted by Associate Dean Ornelas, were diligent in gathering research including base materials and data through surveys. It was a comprehensive effort and in this way the quality results were rooted in excellent research. I am also pleased that the K-State Administration recognized the opportunity of engaging our excellent students in visioning the future of our campus.” Said Tim de Noble, dean of APDesign.
Teams included students, a faculty mentor and a professional design mentor. The winning team was selected by a external jury, which included, Gabriel Durand-Hollis, FAIA, principal with Durand-Hollis Rupe Architects, Charyl McAffee-Duncan, FAIA, president of McAffe3 Architects, Albert N. Ray, AIA, associate at Moody Nolan Architects, and Ryan Swanson, AIA, associate vice president of the university's Division of Facilities.
“Designing a multicultural student center for the K-State campus was a perfect forum for our students to collaborate in an interdisciplinary manner, similar to what happens in the profession. The make up of the charrette teams were multicultural and inclusive. Each team's design proposals were inventive, creative and realized the goals of the program. The charrette was such an incredible learning experience for everyone involved -- the students, stakeholders, mentors and jurors. It was a tremendous experience, and one that will be the highlight for many in their K-State career.” said Wendy Ornelas, professor and associate dean for the College of Architecture, Planning & Design.
The winning team was led by Yosuke Michishita 5th year MArch. Team members included Matthew Spaniol, 5th year MIAPD; J.J. Nicolas, 5th year MArch; Matthew Skarin, 4th year MArch; and Kelsie Shy, 2nd year LA. Ornelas was the team's academic faculty mentor, and Ryan Swanson was the professional mentor. The site for their design proposal was Holtz Hall.
The second-place team was led by Maryam Al-Balushi 5th year MArch. Team members included Casey Gorrell, 5th year MLA; Teresa Siegele, 5th year MIAPD; Brandon Christian, 5th year MArch; and Hector Martinez, 2nd year ARCH. LaBarbara Wigfall, associate professor of landscape architecture/regional & community planning, was the team's academic faculty mentor, and Gabriel Durand-Hollis was the professional mentor. The site for the team's design proposal was the ECM Building.
There was a tie for third-place teams one led by Matt Cadle, 5th year MArch; Anthony Ngo, 5th year MIAPD; Christy Phelps, 5th year MArch; Kaitlin Bernal, 2nd year LA; and Elliott Joern, 3rd year ARCH. Genevieve Baudoin, assistant professor of architecture, was the team's academic faculty mentor, and Albert N. Ray, was the professional mentor.
The other team who also tied for third was led by, Mohammed Dinn, 5th year MArch, Bryce Cummings 5th year MArch,Michael Murphy 5th year MIAPD, Wesley Moore 3rd year LA, Samuel Jung 2nd year IAPD, Ryadi Adityavarman, associate professor of interior architecture and produce design, was the team’s academic faculty mentor and Charyl F. McAfee-Duncan, FAIA was the professional mentor. The site for the team's design proposal was the ECM Building.
Weigel Scholarship Featured in 'Good For K-State"
Click here for article
Recipient of Friends’ generosity
Two custom-made display cases were delivered to Weigel Library during the fall semester, a gift from the Friends’ of the K-State Libraries.
This organization makes annual gifts to K-State Libraries with funds raised through membership and their annual Gala.
The Friends' long-range planning committee makes project recommendations to the Friends’ Board of Directors based on ideas submitted by Dean of Libraries, Lori Goetsch. A major endeavor that previously received financial assistance from the Friends’ was the murals in Hale Library’s Great Room. Other projects this group has funded in the past include Special Collections, refurbishing the Hemi Room, and digital collections for the Sesquicentennial. The display cases are the first project for a campus branch library.
The vertical design of the new cases highlights library resources on display in a smaller footprint. Weigel Library is pleased to be the recipient of such generosity and thanks the Friends’ of the K-State Libraries for this useful gift.
Members of the Friends’ of the K-State Libraries’ Executive Board will have the opportunity to see the new cases in Weigel on Wednesday, January 29. This group is holding their quarterly business meeting in Seaton following a tour of Weigel Library hosted by Dean de Noble.
