News
Mon, 06/30/2025
University of Kansas announces spring 2025 honor roll
Nearly 8,700 undergraduate students at the University of Kansas earned honor roll distinction for the spring 2025 semester.
Mon, 06/23/2025
Researchers work to perfect conservation signs in nature reserves
A University of Kansas professor is headed to Lake Tahoe this summer to continue his experiments refining the best types of nature-conservation signage. Jeremy Shellhorn and colleagues emphasize the importance of “telegraphic messaging” and proper tone in the effectiveness of designing warning signs in bear country.
Tue, 06/10/2025
University of Kansas drives $7.8 billion economic impact in Kansas, study shows
The University of Kansas is a powerful engine of economic growth and job creation for the state of Kansas, according to a new study detailing the university’s impact.
Fri, 04/04/2025
KU Center for Design Research director speaks with IBM about the future of wearable AI
“Wearables have an incredible future if they’re paired with the right technologies. AI, of course, drives everything, so it has to be deeply embedded. There’s no shortage of what AI can do.” – Professor Gregory Thomas
Fri, 04/04/2025
Celebrating the life and impact of Professor Emeritus Stephen H. Grabow
Professor Emeritus of Architecture Stephen H. Grabow passed away on January 19 at age 81. Dr. Grabow will be remembered as a mentor to two generations of students and a key figure in the history of the architecture department. A memorial celebration will take place on April 12, 3-5 p.m., at Milton's Cafe in Lawrence.
Wed, 03/05/2025
Large-format photographer gets below the surface in new KC group show
Elise Kirk, KU associate professor of photography, is showing work in "Strange and Familiar Places,” on display through July 20 at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.
Fri, 02/28/2025
Artist Stephen T. Johnson extends family’s legacy in new, three-generation show
Stephen T. Johnson, lecturer in the School of Architecture and Design, carries on his family’s artistic legacy in a new “three-generation” show opening Feb. 28 at the Cider Gallery in Lawrence.
Wed, 02/26/2025
Presentation at KU Libraries to highlight impact of open education
Virginia Clinton-Lisell, associate professor in educational foundations and research at University of North Dakota and lead researcher of the Open Education Group, will visit KU’s Lawrence campus to deliver a public lecture about her research on open education at 10 a.m. March 14 in Watson Library 3 West.
Mon, 02/03/2025
Architectural, experiential design leaders to speak at Spring 2025 University of Kansas Architecture Lecture Series
The KU Architecture Lecture Series welcomes architectural and experiential design leaders to the Lawrence campus to illuminate ideas and inspire students. The first lecture of spring features Nader Tehrani of NADAAA.
Wed, 01/29/2025
KU School of Architecture & Design announces spring 2025 design lecture series schedule
The first design lecture of the spring 2025 series will feature KU alumnus Jacob Crawford, a footwear designer at Vans, the iconic skateboard shoes and apparel brand.
Tue, 01/28/2025
School of Architecture & Design mourns the passing of Todd Achelpohl
Todd Achelpohl, lecturer in architecture, died Dec. 29 surrounded by family and friends. A celebration of life is planned for 10 a.m. Feb. 15 at the South Lobby of the Kansas City Convention Center’s Kay Barnes Grand Ballroom.
Mon, 01/27/2025
Architecture, Interior Architecture and Photography students receive Undergraduate Research Awards
This spring, 49 University of Kansas students received an Undergraduate Research Award (UGRA) from the Center for Undergraduate Research & Fellowships. UGRA recipients are awarded a $1,000 scholarship as they work on mentored research and creative projects.
Fri, 01/24/2025
Student Design Competition: Designing Mindful Learning Spaces
The KU Institute of Health & Wellness Design is sponsoring a student design competition to explore how architecture/design learning environment designs can be employed by students to address mental and behavioral health issues experienced by human users. Submissions due January 29, 2025
Fri, 01/10/2025
Film aims to build support for trauma care in Africa
Documentary focuses on doctors struggling to meet demand for trauma care in Africa, and efforts of KU Med Center doctor, colleagues to help
Thu, 12/05/2024
Authors show how health care can revive small downtowns
A KU School of Architecture & Design professor and alumnus promote leveraging health care to radically revamp small-town main streets in a new journal article.
Mon, 12/02/2024
Class of 2025 honors associate professor Betsy Barnhart with HOPE Award
Betsy Barnhart, associate professor and director of the Industrial Design Program in the School of Architecture & Design, was presented with the award Nov. 23 during halftime of the football game between KU and Colorado.
Wed, 11/06/2024
New Studio 804 book details sustainable home design, construction methods
A new book featuring Dan Rockhill — a proponent of D.I.Y. architecture education — shows builders how Studio 804 builds sustainably. The book details East Lawrence homes built by the School of Architecture & Design classes of 2022 and 2023.
Fri, 10/25/2024
Announcing KU Architecture & Design Alumni Award winners
The University of Kansas School of Architecture & Design has announced the recipients of the 2023 KU Architecture & Design Alumni Awards.
Wed, 10/23/2024
Read the September-October newsletter
2023 KU Architecture & Design Alumni Award honorees,
Interior Architectures studios designing and building furniture for Lawrence shelter, remembering architecture professor David Griffin, alumni news, more.
Wed, 10/23/2024
Design student projects featured on Dezeen
Footwear, packaging, publication design, and an exhibition showcasing cardboard furniture inspired by the late design iconoclast and KU professor Victor Papanek are among the KU Design student projects featured in Dezeen's latest school showcase.
Wed, 09/18/2024
Study links operating room environment to shorter surgery
A study from a University of Kansas School of Architecture & Design researcher shows a better-designed operating room shaves time off of orthopedic surgery, implying better outcomes and reduced costs.
Fri, 09/06/2024
Building Futures Together - Q&A with KU Dirt Works Studio and Apex Engineers
For over a decade, Apex Engineers has worked with architecture professor Chad Kraus’s Dirt Works Studio to create internationally recognized projects that have expanded the limits of what university design-build students can accomplish. Read how this industry partnership has allowed third-year students at KU to make lasting impacts in the community while preparing for careers.
Fri, 09/06/2024
School of Architecture & Design announces fall 2024 Architecture Lecture Series
Elizabeth Diller, founding partner of Diller Scofidio + Renfro, Wolf Prize laureate and recipient of the first MacArthur Foundation fellowship awarded for architecture, will present the opening lecture of the fall series Sept. 13 on the KU Lawrence campus.
Tue, 09/03/2024
Denver Alumni Event, Thursday, Sep. 5
Denver-area alumni designers and architects are invited to a reception at La Victoria Healing Kitchen in Aurora on Thursday, September 5th. Learn about what is happening in the School of Architecture & Design from Dean Mahbub Rashid, Professor Shannon Criss, and students in her ARCH608 studio.
Mon, 08/26/2024
School of Architecture & Design announces fall 2024 KU Design Symposium Lecture Series
The first Design Symposium lecture of the fall 2024 series will feature Colie Wertz, a concept artist whose film credits include six "Star Wars" films, Marvel's upcoming "The Fantastic Four" and the two-part adaptation of the sci-fi classic "Dune," directed by Denis Villeneuve.
Wed, 07/17/2024
Architecture professor Nilou Vakil among five educators recognized as Kemper Fellows
KU this week is celebrating five outstanding faculty members as winners of the William T. Kemper Fellowship for Teaching Excellence. Each of the five awardees receives $7,500.
Mon, 06/03/2024
Architecture & Design Alumni Award nominations are now open (Opens in new window)
Recognize the impact of Jayhawk designers, architects, and multidisciplinary leaders by nominating exceptional alumni for a 2023 KU Architecture & Design Alumni Award. Nominations are open through August 23, 2024.
Wed, 05/29/2024
Read the April-May 2024 ArcD newsletter (Opens in new window)
BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group unveils new building and renovation plans for the School of Architecture & Design. June 6th alumni event in Washington D.C. Alumni-owned firm announces rebrand. Design lecturer’s work acquired by museum. Graduate design program ranked in top ten.
Wed, 05/29/2024
Announcing the 2024 KU Architecture Student Portfolio Awards (Opens in new window)
Since 2021, alumni architects, faculty, and final-year students have donated time to help 3rd-and-4th-year M.Arch students develop presentation skills and refine their portfolios through this review process.
Tue, 05/28/2024
Dyche Hall Grotesque Renewal Project honored with historic preservation award
The Dyche Hall Grotesque Renewal Project at KU recently received the Medallion Award, the highest award bestowed by the Kansas Preservation Alliance, at the 2024 Kansas State Preservation Conference.