Chalmers Hall


Color photograph shows students in Chalmers Hall Cafe.

Chalmers Hall, formerly known as the Art & Design Building, is home to Department of Design studios and faculty offices, and multidisciplinary labs, common areas, and exhibition spaces. 

Anchored by a central student commons area (renovated in 2017 by KU design-build students), the third floor of Chalmers is a hub of activity for students in all ArcD programs. The area includes flexible collaborative spaces and lounge seating, a design supply and food shop, and exhibition spaces.

Studios and specialized labs offer Animation, Illustration, Industrial Design, Photography, and Visual Communication Design students 24-hour access to spacious work areas and a range of digital and analog tools. Multidisciplinary fabrication and technology labs allow students to make cross-disciplinary connections. 


Studios & Labs

Color photograph of student furniture project in studio.

Design Program Studios

Department of Design students have 24-hour access to studio spaces optimized for their area of study. With studio spaces spatially organized around academic programs, a close-knit and supportive sense of community develops within the disciplines providing students a small design school experience within the larger university.
color photograph showing detail of hand drawing on Cintiq tablet.

Animation Lab

Completed in 2014, The Forum in many ways defines and connects our school’s history, present, and future. Designed and built by ArcD students in the Studio804 program, this LEED Platinum-certified glass, steel, and timber structure sits directly centered between the two campus buildings that have long been home to our academic departments.
Color photograph showing detail print blocks in letterpress machine in Book Arts Lab.

Book Arts Lab

Located directly on historic Jayhawk Boulevard, Marvin Hall offers connections to most ArcD campus facilities, resources, and people. The four-level building, built in 1908 of locally quarried limestone, is home to the school’s administrative offices, academic support services, along with various studios, classrooms, and multidisciplinary learning and research facilities.
color photograph of student working in CNC lab.

CNC Digital Fabrication Lab

Featuring a large-bed CNC router, the CNC Lab allows students and researchers to explore and advance computer aided design, fabrication, and applied material science. The CNC can drill, route, and cut solid wood, plywood, laminates, foam, MDF, Plexiglas, and many other materials. Capable of 2D cutting and 3D machining, the CNC can manufacture components for assembly, objects, and surfaces from digital models.

Labs & Maker Spaces

color photograph of photography lighting studio

Photography Labs

Expansive facilities house everything from cutting-edge digital imaging labs to a traditional wet darkroom with 20 enlarging stations. A fully-equipped studio with cyclorama wall, rigging, and extensive lighting setups allow students to explore portraiture, fashion shoots, experimental techniques, and other projects at various scales. Video and still cameras, sound equipment, and lighting sets are available for studio use and checkout.
color photograph showing student working in print and finishing lab.

Print & Finishing Lab

Marvin Studios (more commonly referred to as “The Mud Hut”) is home to studios, presentation space, and advanced digital fabrication labs. Students in both departments have opportunities to gain experience using advanced computer systems and automated tools to create 3D prototypes, manufacture products, and research innovative material applications.
Color photograph of colorful RISO print.

RISO Lab

There is no mistaking the vibrant colors and crafted quality of a RISO print. The RISO machine, or Risograph, is an affordable, efficient, and environmentally low-impact tool for printing zines, books, posters, and other works on paper. Sometimes referred to as a digital screen printer, the RISO uses analog processes to translate digital designs to paper. The RISO uses emulsion inks, most of which use sustainable raw ingredients such as soy oil or rice bran.
Color photograph of Mac computer lab.

Design Computer Lab

ArcD is KU's center for solutions-focused creative practice and engaged design innovation. As a professional design school in an AAU-member research university, ArcD is part of a network of multidisciplinary expertise that is supported by robust research infrastructure. KU's world-class facilities, libraries, museums, and institutes provide fertile ground for collaborative discovery.

Commons & Galleries

color photograph showing students sitting at tables discussing, working, eating.

Chalmers Cafe & Commons

The Chalmers Cafe & Commons is an adaptable space that provides tables and seating for students to take a break, eat, study, and meet. On one side of the space, a glass wall allows views into the adjacent gallery. On the other, a 65-foot wall made of pivoting panels can open to integrate the Cafe and a multidisciplinary flex space.
Color photograph of students in Edgar Heap of Birds Family Gallery

Edgar Heap of Birds Family Gallery

The Edgar Heap of Birds Family Gallery a 2,100-square-foot space located on the third floor of Chalmers Hall. The Edgar Heap of Birds Family Gallery serves as a teaching space and students from the departments, as well as from the university at large, are exposed to art by their peers, visiting and regional artists, and faculty members.
Color photograph of Corridor Gallery

Corridor Gallery

The Corridor Gallery is on the Chalmers Hall 200 level. Exhibitions feature work by local, national, and international artists working in documentary, commercial, and fine art photography.
Color photography showing Chalmers Hall exhibition cases

Additional Exhibition Spaces

Chalmers Hall houses a number of spaces for students to showcase creative work and design projects. The walls surrounding the Chalmers Cafe and Edgar Heap of Birds Family Gallery gallery are lined with exhibition walls and cases. More exhibition walls and cases are located adjacent to design studio spaces throughout the building.
color photograph view looking The Shop at Chalmers Hall from the Cafe.

The Shop at Chalmers Hall

  • Located on the third floor of Chalmers Hall, the KU Bookstore's Shop at Chalmers Hall offers quick food and drink options, and a range of art, design, and architecture studio supplies.

Hours

  • Monday - Friday

  • 8:00am - 5:00pm