The Forum was conceived in 2004 by John Gaunt, Dean the University of Kansas School of Architecture, Design & Planning from 1995 to 2015. Located on historic Jayhawk Boulevard, the addition to School of Architecture at Marvin Hall addresses the school’s critical need for an auditorium for lecture courses and guest speakers, while also providing a separate breakout jury space for student reviews and presentations. In this way, students of the School of Architecture will no longer be required to trek across campus to attend their classes, but rather, will attend classes in a building that exemplifies their studies on emerging technologies, passive design strategies, and energy-efficient mechanical systems.
What was the old Jury Room in Marvin Hall was renovated and will now serve as a Commons Room — a lounge area to serve the collaborative environment of the School and contribute to the entry sequence of Marvin Hall. The size and complexity of this task was made possible through the enthusiasm of Dean Gaunt, whose passion for the environmentally conscious growth of Marvin Hall pioneered this project. This, coupled with the need for a multi-functional facility for the School of Architecture, Design & Planning, enabled this lofty project to find its completion within only one year and exists as a landmark achievement for both the School and Studio 804. The Marvin Hall Forum was Studio 804’s seventh LEED Platinum building.
The University of Kansas Department of Architecture invites applications for Studio 804, a comprehensive one-year, fully hands-on design-build experience for students who are at an advanced stage in their studies and committed to the continued research and development of affordable, sustainable and inventive building solutions. Students enrolled in Studio 804 work full time to design and build a new building every year. The widely-published program, under the direction of Distinguished Professor Dan Rockhill, has produced ten LEED Platinum buildings, three of which are Passive House-certified. To learn more, visit studio804.com and architecture. ku.edu/studio804. The university accepts transfers, 4+2 grads, B.Arch grads, M.Arch grads, or professionals — anyone who wants to be a better architect by having had the experience of designing and constructing a sophisticated building in its entirety from the ground up.