Kent State Center for Architecture and Environmental Design

Kent, USA

Photo © Albert Večerka/Esto

arkkitehdit: WEISS / MANFREDI

Location: Kent, USA
Year: 2016
Team: Marion Weiss FAIA, Michael A. Manfredi FAIA, Mike Harshman AIA, Bryan Kelley, David Maple Project Team: Hugo De Pablo, Darius Woo, Julia Schubach, Olen Milholland, Seungwon Song, Michael Blasberg, Patrick Armacost
Architect of Record: Richard L. Bowen & Associates
MEP/FP Engineer of Record: Richard L. Bowen and Associates MEP/FP and Vertical Transportation Engineering Consultant
Design Engineers: Jaros, Baum & Bolles
Structural Engineer of Record: Weidlinger Associates International Civil Engineering
Consultant: Resource International
Fire Protection Engineer Consultant: Dynamix Engineering
Lighting Design Consultant: Lighting Workshop
Landscape Architect of Record: Knight and Stolar
IT: TEK Systems Design, LLC
Construction Manager at Risk: Gilbane Building Company

The 117,000-square-foot Kent State Center for Architecture and Environmental Design “Design Loft,” designed by New York-based firm WEISS/MANFREDI following an international competition, establishes an innovative center for the design disciplines and a beacon signaling Kent State’s creative, research-based programs. The project is currently on track for LEED Platinum certification.

A continuous, expansive studio loft forms the heart of the program. Designed to maximize flexibility, it will accommodate a growing program and evolve to meet the educational needs of the architecture and design fields. The studio spaces are supported by a 200-seat multi- purpose lecture hall, library, café, gallery, studio critique spaces, classrooms, offices, and fabrication labs.

Sited strategically at a hinge between the campus and city, the Design Loft forms a new hub that forges connections between Kent State University and the recently revitalized downtown Kent.