KU News Release

Rockhill earns distinguished professorship in architecture at KU

LAWRENCE — A University of Kansas professor whose work has helped promote innovative architectural design and sustainable, efficient building practices is being honored with a distinguished professorship.

Dan Rockhill, professor of architecture and urban planning, has been appointed the J.L. Constant Distinguished Professor of Architecture.

“As a member of our faculty since 1980, Dan has distinguished himself as an extraordinary educator — one who has exerted enormous influence on our students and brought honor to the school through national and international recognition,” said John Gaunt, dean of the School of Architecture and Urban Planning at KU. “He has been a dedicated and inspiring teacher for 27 years, a phenomenon as an architectural innovator. His professional work, providing inspiration for creative work in the school, has created an exemplary studio model of national impact and is the recipient of an astounding number of awards and publications — both for his own architectural work and for that of his students.”

The endowed professorship was created by the late J.L. “Tommy” Constant, who owned Constant Construction Co. and Kansas Construction Co. His companies built the Memorial Campanile and Smith and Blake halls, all on KU’s Lawrence campus. Constant was a Lawrence city commissioner and served on the boards of Lawrence National Bank and the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of the KU Endowment Board of Trustees from 1957 until his death in 1973.

Rockhill has gained international acclaim for his work with Studio 804 and Rockhill and Associates. Studio 804 is a design studio in which KU students design and build innovative modular housing. Rockhill and Associates is the partnership between Rockhill and Lawrence architect David Sain. The firm is widely respected for its work on projects that promote progressive design, environmental sustainability and historic preservation.

Projects by Studio 804 under Rockhill’s direction have included nine houses, the last four of which have been modular prefab houses in Kansas City, Kan. Most recently, Modular 3 was named “Home of the Year” by Architecture magazine, and Home and Garden magazine has called Rockhill one of the most influential architects of the 21st century.

Earlier this year, Rockhill was named a finalist for a National Design Award from the Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt museum.

“I am honored to be recognized by my colleagues at the University of Kansas, and I look forward to representing the KU name around the world under this new title,” Rockhill said.

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