Snow Hall Jury Room

Recent acquisition of new space on the University of Kansas campus led Dean John Gaunt to request the help of a fourth year design studio with the design and construction of a critique space in Snow Hall. The spaces, previously  a computing laboratory and its adjacent office, had little natural daylight, sheetrock walls, gray carpet, and a hung acoustical ceiling. Our task was to transform that mundane space into a flexible space suitable for student critiques, exhibitions, receptions and seminars. The partition between the two existing spaces was removed, and the space was subdivided into 2 jury areas with a common central space for furniture and equipment storage, media equipment, open countertops for coffee and snacks. This central space can be subdivided by a large concrete door so that the 2 jury spaces can be used concurrently (with door closed). With the door open, the entire space could be used for an exhibition or reception.



The students designed and built the following:

1. A large concrete and steel door (7’-6” square) to subdivide the space;

2. New drywall partitions in the center section of the space (closets, counters);

3. New steel storage cabinets with concrete countertops;

4. New wood slat ceiling system;

5. New pinup surfaces; 

6. Acoustical treatment in the ceiling slab coffers;

7. Wooden model display boxes.

Year: 2004

Location: Lawrence, Kansas

Course: Arch 401

Instructor:  Nils Gore

Students: Ryan Borszich, Lisa Carpenter, Weston Coble, Justin Gaa, Jason Hansen, Chrissy Hill, Eman Ismaiel, Ben Johnson, Tony Lackey, Erin Pias, Amy Proffitt, Angela Rodriguez, Brandon Tobias, Matt Unger, Virginia Werner, Katie Williams, Jerry Wright, Greg Zielinski

Partner/Client: KU School of Architecture and Urban Design