University of Kansas Plans Mass Timber Building for School of Architecture & Design

The University of Kansas is planning to begin construction in summer of 2026 on the Makers' KUbe in the heart of its Lawrence campus. The School of Architecture & Design will occupy the $120 million facility and collaborated on its design with Bjarke Ingels Group, BNIM, and StructureCraft. Showcasing timber tectonics, traditional joinery, and sustainable materials, the 50,000-sf facility will act as a living curriculum with exposed structural and MEP systems. An iconic central staircase will connect six levels of studio and lab spaces illuminated by natural light.

Encased in a stripped-back glass façade, the mass timber building will utilize tight-fit dowels and notched glulam to create an all-wood structure with columns that run diagonally, eliminating the need for steel plates or fasteners. Enclosed bridges to the adjacent Marvin Hall and Chalmers Hall will foster interaction and promote ease of circulation in the winter months. The highly sustainable project will include the installation of a water harvesting and storage system on the KUbe's roof, as well as rooftop photovoltaic arrays on the existing structures, which will both undergo renovation.

Uniting programs currently housed in five separate locations, the academic research facility will serve as the centerpiece of a dynamic ecosystem where students will gain hands-on experience with advanced technologies, engage in cross-disciplinary collaboration, and build relationships with industry partners. 

The project team includes general contractor JE Dunn and engineering firms Walter P Moore, Smith & Boucher, and Cummings Group. Forza Consultants is the fire, life safety, and code consultant. SK Design Group is also lending their expertise to the development, which is slated to open in fall of 2029.