KU News Release

Feb. 7, 2008
Contact: Dan Rockhill, School of Architecture and Urban Planning, (785) 864-4024.

KU architecture students to build a sustainable prototype for Greensburg

LAWRENCE — Studio 804 at the University of Kansas School of Architecture and Urban Planning has committed to design and construct a sustainable prototype for the city of Greensburg.

Twenty-two students are enrolled this semester in Studio 804, a design/build program at KU. The Studio 804 experience encompasses all aspects of the building process, from initial design to finished construction. Operating in a warehouse in Lawrence, the students will build their project in modular units that will be transported and reassembled in Greensburg. This process limits construction waste, allows students to continue to live in Lawrence and requires unique design solutions. Studio 804 is currently working with a local nonprofit organization in Greensburg that will initially use the building to service community needs.

The prototype is to be delivered on the one-year anniversary of a devastating tornado that hit Greensburg on May 4, 2007, causing more than $1.1 billion in damage. The city of Greensburg hopes to rebuild as the first “green city” in the United States.

Greensburg is the first in the United States to pass a resolution to certify all city-owned buildings LEED Platinum, the highest level of the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating system. LEED was developed by the United States Green Building Council to establish a standard for the design, construction and operation of sustainable buildings on a national level. Sustainability has been an integral part of Studio 804’s program throughout its 12-year history, but this is the first year students will participate in the LEED process.

Early in the year, Studio 804 was contacted by Sunflower Redevelopment, who presented students with the opportunity to reclaim building materials from the Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant, located between Lawrence and Kansas City, Kan. Sunflower was established in 1941 as the world’s largest powder and propellant plant, later playing a historic role providing munitions during World War II and the Korean and Vietnam conflicts. The ammunition plant is now an excess federal property, and through Sunflower Redevelopment the property is being deployed back into the public sector. There are more than 1,000 retired ammunition buildings within the 9,000-acre site, and Studio 804 is in the process of deconstructing a magazine building to salvage building materials. The effort to reclaim structurally sound lumber, as opposed to using new lumber, is one of many ways Studio 804 promotes sustainable practices in the design/build industry.

Under the direction of Dan Rockhill, the JL Constant Distinguished Professor of Architecture at KU, Studio 804 has become internationally recognized as a leader in the design/build community, producing socially responsible, sustainable architecture.

Students are listed below by their hometowns and, when available, their parents’ names, high schools and undergraduate degrees. All are graduate students in the master of architecture professional degree program. The program requires at least five years of study for students entering without a bachelor’s degree.

BUTLER COUNTY
From Augusta 67010
Timothy John Overstreet, son of Ron Overstreet and Wendy Overstreet; Augusta High School; bachelor’s of architectural studies from KU, spring 2005.

DOUGLAS COUNTY
From Lawrence 66046
Erik Austin Heironimus, Paola High School; bachelor’s of architectural studies from KU, spring 2005

Megan Ashley Thompson, bachelor’s degree from Bennington (Vt.) College, spring 2002.

ELLIS COUNTY
From Victoria 67671
Jenny Kenne Kivett, daughter of John and Linda Kenne, Victoria High School; bachelor’s of architectural studies from KU, spring 2003.

JOHNSON COUNTY
From Leawood 66206
William Cary Lockwood, son of Kathleen Barding; Shawnee Mission East High School.

OSAGE COUNTY
From Quenemo 66528 and Orland Park, Ill.
Corey S. Russo, son of Beverly Willard of Quenemo and Lewis Russo of Orland Park; J. C. Harmon High School, Kansas City, Kan.; bachelor’s degrees in architectural studies and history from KU, spring 2005.

COLORADO
From Boulder 80305
Boyd Leigh Johnson, bachelor’s degree from University of Colorado-Boulder, spring 2001.

ILLINOIS
From Belleville 62223
Lindsey Ann Evans, daughter of David and Adrienne Evans; Saint Joseph Academy, St. Louis, Mo.

From Edwardsville 62025
Sarah Therese Boedeker, daughter of John and Mary Ellen Boedeker; Edwardsville High School.

From Orland Park 60467 and Quenemo, Kan.
Corey S. Russo. SEE OSAGE COUNTY

From South Barrington 60010
Mark Patrick Cahill, son of Thomas and Shelley Cahill; Barrington Community High School; bachelor’s of architectural studies from KU, spring 2005.

INDIANA
From Bloomington 47401
Abigail Marie Henson, daughter of Jamie Henson-Lanham and David Henson; Bloomington High School, South Bloomington, Ind.; bachelor’s of architectural studies from KU, summer 2004.

MISSOURI
From Chesterfield 63017
Zachary Joseph Arndt, son of Michael and Kathleen Arndt; Parkway West High School, Ballwin, Mo.

From Farmington 63640
Corey Jonathan Davis, son of Lisa Williamson and James Davis; Farmington Senior High School.

From Kansas City 64116
John Travis Gillham, bachelor’s degree from Washington University, St. Louis, Mo., spring 2006.

From St. Louis 63105
Christopher R. Clark, son of Kenneth and Mary Clark; Desmet Jesuit High School, St. Louis, Mo.

From St. Louis 63146
Kristen “Krissy” Buck, daughter of Art and Sue Buck; Parkway North High School, St. Louis, Mo.

From Wildwood 63011
Katie Leigh Rietz, daughter of Mike and Lisa Rietz; Lafayette High School, Ballwin, Mo.

NEBRASKA
From Papillion 68046
Jessica K. Buechler, daughter of Mary and James Buechler; bachelor’s degree from University of Nebraska-Lincoln, summer 2004.

TENNESSEE
From Memphis
Joshua Michael Somes, son of Grant and Brenda Somes; bachelor’s degree from Rhodes College, Memphis, Tenn., spring 1996.

TEXAS
From Spring 77381
Justin R. Cratty, son of Nancy Long; Oak Ridge High School, Conroe, Texas.

WISCONSIN
From Milwaukee 53226
Simon Mance, son of Thomas and Mary Jo Mance; Marquette University High School, Milwaukee, Wis.

WEST VIRGINIA
From Wheeling 26003
John A. Tarr V, bachelor’s degree from Allegheny College, Meadville, Pa., spring 2004.

-30-

The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university. University Relations is the central public relations office for KU's Lawrence campus.

kunews@ku.edu | (785) 864-3256 | 1314 Jayhawk Blvd., Lawrence, KS 66045