The Forum was conceived in 2004 by John Gaunt, dean of the University of Kansas School of Architecture and Design from 1995 to 2015, to transform historic Marvin Hall, which houses the program. There had never been a true “there” in Marvin Hall—a living room where students and faculty could interact, a place to welcome visitors, and a space that defined the school. Nor had there been a room for assembly; architectural lecture classes, visiting speakers, and special presentations had to take place elsewhere on campus. The addition includes a 121-seat lecture hall, a new review space for students to present their projects, and a common room that serves as a foyer for The Forum and creates the desired living room.

Passive strategies for saving energy typically require a tolerance for temperature swings and varying light levels. For a lecture hall to function effectively, however, conditions need to be predictable and consistent. The mechanical system minimizes the need for active heating and cooling by working with the sun, wind, heat, light, and other energy flows in and around the project to develop a solution suited to the local climate and users’ needs. The double-wall ventilated facade consists of two layers of insulated glass separated by a 41-inch airspace that houses automated red cedar louvers. If sensor readings indicate that fresh air can assist with or replace mechanical cooling, the double-wall dampers adjust to promote cross-ventilation and introduce fresh outdoor air. During summer, the louvers track the sun to reduce solar heat gain by shading the interior glass wall. The dampers open to release heated air at the top while drawing cooler air in from below. During cold winter days, all dampers close, allowing the space between the two walls to trap the sun’s heat and create a “warm blanket” that surrounds and insulates the addition.

The completion of a project of this size and complexity was made possible by Dean Gaunt’s enthusiasm and his commitment to an environmentally conscious expansion of Marvin Hall. Completed in just one year, The Forum stands as a landmark achievement for both the School of Architecture and Studio 804.