KU School of Architecture & Design

09/04/2026

🎨 A new mural in The Kettle at Watson Library is bringing color and art inspired by nature to one of KU's most welcoming gathering spaces.

Created through a partnership between the University of Kansas Libraries and KU design students, the project highlights how collaboration and creativity can shape spaces and shared experiences.

Read the story:

A new mural created in collaboration with students in KU’s Department of Design adds context to The Kettle in Watson Library. The public is invited to view the mural, enjoy refreshments, and hear from the students, faculty, and library staff who helped bring the project to life at an opening recep...

09/01/2026

A Jayhawk is helping shape the future of Chiefs Kingdom 🏟️

MANICA Architecture, founded by KU architecture grad David Manica, has been selected to lead the design of the The Kansas City Chiefs' new stadium, bringing a hometown vision to one of the National Football League (NFL)'s most iconic franchises.

Another example of KU School of Architecture & Design alumni making an impact on the world stage.

“This project means everything to me. I was born in KC, went to KC schools, I went to KU, I came back and started my company here. I have the good fortune to work all around the world. I've done multiple projects in multiple@ continents and all around our country, and to do this one at home is a really, really special day for me.” – David Manica

Read the story:

KU architecture grad David Manica realizes lifelong dream of envisioning the venue for a championship NFL franchise and, with tailgating at top of mind, the league’s most passionate fan base.

08/31/2026

Join us Thursday for the first KU Design Professional Lecture of the semester featuring artist and former KU industrial design professor May Tveit.

🖼️ An exhibition of Tveit’s work is currently on view in the Edgar Heap of Birds Family Gallery in Chalmers Hall through Sept. 17.

Tveit creates large-scale sculptural installations and works on paper that transform everyday commercial and industrial materials into striking geometric abstractions. Her nationally exhibited work explores the intersections of art, design, architecture, and human experience.

KU Design Professional Lecture Series: May Tveit
🗓️ Thursday, Sep. 3
🕕 6:00 pm
📍 3140 Wescoe Hall,

See the full Fall 2026 speaker lineup: https://lnkd.in/emNeHap3

08/26/2026

The fall semester is underway, and our halls are buzzing once again with the energy, creativity, and curiosity that define the KU School of Architecture & Design.

Following our annual Academic Welcome event on Sunday and the first week of classes, we're excited to see what our new and returning students will create, discover and accomplish in the year ahead.

Here's to a semester filled with bold ideas, meaningful connections and lasting impact at The University of Kansas. Rock Chalk!

08/14/2026

⚽ Don't miss this special opportunity to hear from Cliff Illig, principal owner and co-founder of Sporting Kansas City, about KC's vision to build on the momentum of Kansas City World Cup 2026.

🏟️ Presented in conjunction with the closing of the exhibition, "Shaping the Future of Football," at the Keystone Innovation District CoLAB, this discussion will explore Kansas City's role in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the future of sports and entertainment in the region, and how design, technology, and innovation are shaping the fan experience.

🗓️ Friday, August 21
📍 Keystone CoLAB
800 E. 18th St., Kansas City, MO

🕟 4:30 pm – Doors Open
🎤 5:45 pm – KC Sports Impact Panel featuring Cliff Illig
✨ 6:30 pm – Happy Hour Reception

This free public event is a celebration of architecture, design, sports, and the future of Kansas City on the world stage.
🔻
Register here: https://keynect.ai/e/ku-sports-exhibition

The University of Kansas School of Architecture & Design’s “Shaping the Future of Football” exhibition concludes Aug. 21 at Keystone CoLAB in Kansas City with the KC Sports Impact Panel. Featured speaker Cliff Illig, principal owner and co-founder of Sporting Kansas City, will discuss Kansas C...

07/23/2026

✈️ How do University of Kansas Industrial Design students gain real-world experience before graduation?

KU Industrial Design students work directly with industry partners on professional design challenges. In a recent collaboration, junior students partnered with Textron Aviation, the Wichita-based global aircraft manufacturer of Beechcraft and Cessna aircraft, to develop concepts for future aircraft interiors.

Students created aircraft cabin mockups, presented their work to Textron Aviation designers, and received professional feedback on their concepts. The partnership continues this fall, when students will travel to Wichita to present their work to Textron Aviation leadership.

This collaboration demonstrates the power of connecting Kansas' flagship Association of American Universities institution with one of our state's most important industries to strengthen talent pipelines, fuel innovation, and help shape the future of aviation.

Industry-sponsored projects like this help design students at The University of Kansas build professional portfolios, strengthen presentation and problem-solving skills, expand their professional networks, and gain valuable experience working on real-world design challenges before graduation.

💡 Learn more about Design degrees at the University of Kansas: https://bit.ly/3xNeNnY

07/22/2026

Fourth-year architecture students tackled one of the world's most pressing challenges:

🌱 How can design protect endangered ecosystems while strengthening the communities that depend on them?

Through the Eco Cultural Futures Lab, student teams developed innovative research laboratories and community centers for ecologically vulnerable sites around the world. 🌍 Their proposals combined climate adaptation, conservation science, cultural preservation, and community empowerment through architecture rooted in place.

The semester culminated in a lively final review featuring architects and designers from BNIM, BRR Architecture, CannonDesign, Clark & Enersen, Helix Architecture + Design, HOK, Multistudio, Populous, Slaggie Architects, Slattery Design + Architecture,Stantec, and Wellner Architects + Engineers. ✨ Their professional feedback challenged students to elevate their work while offering valuable insight into contemporary practice.

🤝 Experiences like these connect architecture students at The University of Kansas with industry leaders, strengthen professional networks, and build career readiness through real-world feedback, professional mentorship, and exposure to leading architecture firms.

🎓 Explore programs that build career readiness at the KU School of Architecture & Design. 🔗 https://arcd.ku.edu/academics

06/30/2026

Another incredible summer of creativity at KU Design Camp! 🎨✨

🌞 Earlier this month, 77 students from across 6 states joined us for two camps—one at The University of Kansas Lawrence campus and one at the KU Edwards Campus in Overland Park. Throughout each session, students explored the world of design, developed new skills, and connected with peers who share their passion.

We are grateful to these talented students for bringing their curiosity, creativity, and enthusiasm to the experience. ✍️ 🖥️ 🎒

Thank you for being part of KU Design Camp! We hope to see you again soon. 🙌

ℹ️ Get to know our undergraduate and graduate programs: https://bit.ly/42EmfQv

Architecture | Animation | Illustration | Industrial Design | Interaction Design |
Interior Architecture | Visual Communication Design

06/25/2026

We’re excited to share a new public humanities initiative celebrating the early life and lasting legacy of Langston Hughes right here in Lawrence.

The University of Kansas, in collaboration with community partners, is supporting a project developed by KU design professor Tim Hossler that highlights how everyday locations can carry powerful historical meaning.

Through a series of 10 postcards, contemporary photos are paired with archival images to spotlight places tied to Hughes’ formative years—like the Carnegie Building and Liberty Hall. These sites offer a deeper look at the environments that helped shape one of the most influential voices of the Harlem Renaissance.

This project is a great example of how place-based storytelling can connect past and present while making history more accessible to our community.

💫 Learn more: https://bit.ly/4esMDoB

This collaborative effort was made possible through the partnership of several campus and community organizations:
Hall Center for the Humanities
Commons at KU
Lawrence Public Library
Spencer Museum of Art
Watkins Museum of History

A collaborative project of KU and community organizations has published 10 postcards about the experiences of Langston Hughes while he lived in Lawrence. Community members can pick up postcards for free at locations on campus and around town.

06/17/2026

🔆 The Campanile is shining brighter thanks to KU architecture alum Lisa Reed and her team at St. Louis-based Reed Burkett Lighting Design.

💡 Our KU grads make an impact around the world and bring brilliance back to campus with meaningful projects, inspiration, and mentorship.

Rock Chalk!