Kent State University has selected four national teams to compete in the final round of an international competition to design a new College of Architecture and Environmental Design building on the university’s new esplanade. The planned facility is part of the university’s campus transformation, called “Foundations of Excellence: Building the Future,” which involves the construction of new buildings, facility upgrades and establishment of dynamic, new spaces. The goal of this initiative is to create a modern campus that offers an outstanding academic experience and enriches the greater community of Kent, Ohio.
The shortlisted teams have been challenged to design a $40 million sustainable exemplar, possibly capable of achieving net-zero energy, that unites Kent State’s architecture program under one roof, while inspiring interdisciplinary collaboration within flexible learning spaces.
More details and the complete shortlist after the break…
The final four, seen below, will present their proposals, along with sustainability data and a cost estimate, in January of 2013 to a selection community and the public.
- Bialosky + Partners Architects (NY and Cleveland), in association with Architecture Research Office (NY)
- Richard L. Bowen + Associates Inc. (Cleveland), in association with Weiss/Manfredi (NY)
- The Collaborative Inc. (Toledo, Ohio), in association with the Miller Hull Partnership (Seattle)
- Westlake Reed Leskosky (Cleveland, Phoenix, Washington, NY and LA)
“This design competition has been an exciting process, and the anticipation only grows as we prepare for the final steps,” said Douglas Steidl, dean of the College of Architecture and Environmental Design at Kent State. “We perceive this as a building that will focus on the future, be a building that sets a new standard for collaboration between constituencies and reflects a high level of respect for the built environment while respecting the natural systems of our planet. This building will serve future students, faculty and the community with vitality for decades.”
While the sustainability data is analyzed and the cost estimate will be reviewed by independent sources, the presentation materials will be further evaluated by the jury to determine the winning design scheme. The winner of the competition is expected to be announced in February 2013.
“The location along the Kent State University Esplanade extension allows the new architecture building to be a physical reminder of the process used by designers to take an idea and translate it into a practical, tangible construction that benefits society,” Steidl said. “This will be the link between Kent State and the Kent community, both physically and metaphorically.”
