Architecture Building Design Competition
Design Competition for New Kent State Architecture Building
Kent State University’s College of Architecture and Environmental Design will soon be getting a new home on the Kent State University Esplanade, a pedestrian walkway through campus that is currently being extended into downtown Kent, Ohio.
A new architecture building 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 the most outstanding academic experience for students, faculty, staff, alumni and the greater community enriched by the university.
Kent State is hosting a design competition for the new architecture building to be constructed along the Kent State University Esplanade extension near downtown Kent. The estimated cost of the new building is $40 million. Currently, this signature program is housed in three separate structures. A new building will unite the college under one roof.
“We are certain with the talents of the firms that are vying for this project, the end result will be a building that is a fantastic addition to our campus, an icon for one of Kent State’s signature programs and a model of forward-thinking, sustainable design that will inspire a generation of future architects,” said Michael Bruder, director of design and construction at Kent State’s Office of the University Architect.
Generating Excitement in the Architecture Profession
Internationally recognized architects have already applied, giving Kent State a wide range of candidates to choose from. In all, 37 entries were received.
“This list of architects is unprecedented for a Kent State project,” said Douglas Steidl, dean of the College of Architecture and Environmental Design at Kent State. “This is truly a significant list of 37 teams. Those who have applied include Zaha Hadid, who is deemed the leading female architect in the world; Coop Himmelb(l)au, who created the Akron Art Museum; Thom Mayne of Morphosis; and numerous other designers of note. Seven of the teams contain AIA National Firm Award winners, geographically located from Boston to Seattle. Many are recognized for their work across the country and around the world.”
The architecture firms that entered the design competition were:
| Company Name | Partner Firm | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Allied Works Architecture | Payto Architects | |
| 2. Anmahian Winton Architects | David L. Sommers, AIA Architects | |
| 3. Balog Steines Hendricks & Manchester Architects, Inc. | Gwathmey Seigel Kaufman & Associates | |
| 4. Belson Design Architects, LLC | Coop Himmelb(l)au | |
| 5. Bialosky + Partners Architects, LLC | Architecture Research Office | |
| 6. Bohlin Cywinski Jackson | SoL Harris/Day Architecture | |
| 7. Bostwick Design Partnership | BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group) | |
| 8. Braun & Steidl Architects, Inc. | William McDonough + Partners | |
| 9. CBLH Design, Inc. | Koetter Kim | |
| 10. Centerbrook Architects and Planners | Metropolitan Architects | |
| 11. Clark & Post Architects, Inc. | Ehlrich Architects | |
| 12. Eric Owen Moss Architects, APC | WSA Studio | |
| 13. Farshid Moussavi Architecture | ||
| 14. Gensler Architecture Design + Planning, P.C. | Robert Maschke Architects | |
| 15. Hasenstab Architects, Inc. | Holzmann Moss Bottino Architects | |
| 16. John Ronan Architect, LLC | ||
| 17. Jonathan Barnes Architecture and Design, Inc. | Rogers Marvel | |
| 18. KZF Design | Morphosis | |
| 19. Legat & Kingscott, LLC | ||
| 20. Moody-Nolan, Inc. | Anoine Predock Architect PC | |
| 21. NADAA Architecture LLC | ||
| 22. NBBJ LLC | ||
| 23. Olsavsky Jaminet Architects, Inc. | designLAB architects | |
| 24. Perspectus Architecture LLC | Perkins + Will | |
| 25. Philip Johnson/Alan Ritchie Architects and Strollo Architects | ||
| 26. Poggemeyer Design Group, Inc. | Schwartz/Silver Architects, Inc. | |
| 27. Richard Fleischman + Partners Architects | Preston Scott Cohen, Inc. | |
| 28. Richard L. Bowen + Associates, Inc. | Weiss/Manfredi | |
| 29. Sasaki Associates, Inc. | Clark & Post Architects, Inc. | |
| 30. Smith-Miller + Hawkinson Architects LLP | Thom Stauffer Architects | |
| 31. SSOE Group | Pelli Clark Pelli Architects | |
| 32. Studio TECHNE architects | ShoP Architects PC | |
| 33. The Collaborative Inc. | Miller Hull Partnership, LLC | |
| 34. URS Corporation | Yazdani Studio of Canon Design | |
| 35. Westlake Reed Leskosky, Ltd. | ||
| 36. WTW Architects, Inc. | Overland Partners Architects | |
| 37. Zaha Hadid Architects | Domokur Architects |
Narrowing Down the Field
In mid-October 2012, the field of 37 entries was narrowed down to eight. Interviews with the eight firms are being conducted in later October and early November. The eight firms were:
| 1. Bialosky + Partners Architects, LLC | Architecture Research Office | |
|---|---|---|
| 2. Bohlin Cywinski Jackson | SoL Harris/Day Architecture | |
| 3. KZP Design | Morphosis | |
| 4. NBBJ LLC | ||
| 5. Richard L. Bowen + Associates, Inc. | Weiss/Manfredi | |
| 6. The Collaborative Inc. | Miller Hull Partnership, LLC | |
| 7. Westlake Reed Leskosky, Ltd. | ||
| 8. WTW Architects, Inc. | Overland Partners Architects |
Selecting a Winner
On Nov. 19, 2012, the university announced the finalists, narrowing the field to four firms and offering a stipend for design solutions from each of them. The four teams selected for the last stage of the design competition are:
- Bialosky + Partners Architects, with offices in New York and Cleveland, in association with Architecture Research Office of New York
- Richard L. Bowen + Associates Inc. of Cleveland in association with Weiss/Manfredi of New York
- The Collaborative Inc. of Toledo, Ohio, in association with the Miller Hull Partnership of Seattle
- Westlake Reed Leskosky with offices in Cleveland and four other cities
On Jan. 17, 2013, the four selected teams will present their design concepts, sustainability data and a cost estimate to the selection committee, followed by an abbreviated presentation that will be open to the public, including College of Architecture and Environmental Design students and faculty (see press release). 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.
Winner Announced
On April 2, 2013, Kent State announced that the winning architecture team is WEISS/MANFREDI, lead designer, and Richard L. Bowen & Associates, architect of record. Read the announcement press release.
Find more information about Kent State’s College of Architecture and Environmental Design