Kaw Pavilion and Trail Markers


Pavillion in snow
The Kaw Pavilion is named for the Kansas River – the watershed in which the pavilion resides – and draws inspiration from indigenous structures of the Kansa (Kaw) tribe, the first inhabitants of the region. Eleven third year architecture students designed and built the shade structure and carved limestone trail markers in four months with zero budget – all materials were recycled from waste streams or donated. The shade structure serves as outdoor classroom, meeting space for local groups, resting area for trail users, outdoor events, parental supervision of playground, etc. The pavilion created a place of shade refuge for the park, where previously none existed.

In addition to referencing indigenous structures, recycled power poles form the super structure, and shingles attached to long spans of recycled metal reference train tracks that ran next to the site where the Burroughs Creek Trail is located today. Street sign shingles create a connection with the more recent past and our automobile-driven culture, and in this way, the Kaw Pavilion pulls together three eras of our shared cultural history. Through a comprehensive understanding of the site, students studied urban waste streams, prairie landscape and green infrastructure, and gained a deep respect for the East Lawrence Community.
Year: 2019
Location: Lawrence, KS
Course: Arch 509 Designbuild Studio
Instructor: Keith Van de Riet

Students: Aaron Lamer, Gregory Deveau, Dylan Dennis, Robert Edberg-Oostdik, Ernesto Lopez, Tyler Duggan, Dylan Baile, Ido Kenigsztein, Hira Naeem, Wei Liang, Sana Munir

Partner/Client: Lawrence Department of Parks and Recreation, Suzan Hampton, LEED AP

Structural Engineer: McClure Engineering

Sponsors: Struct/Restruct, Westar Energy Green Team, Cottin’s Hardware and Rental, R.D. Johnson Excavation, KC Tent and Awning, Lawrence Traffic and Transportation, Douglas County Public Works, Ramberg Stoneworks, Brookside Landscaping

Vendors: Hick’s Classic Concrete

Media: “Completion of shade structure in Burroughs Creek Park finishes phase one of local environmental project,” Lawrence Journal World; “Shade structure made of recycled materials in Lawrence park wins 2 architecture awards,” Lawrence Journal World; “KU student architecture studio wins global Architecture MasterPrize for green design,” The University Daily Kansan; “Design-build project wins international Architecture Masterprize and AIA Kansas Awards,” The University of Kansas News