bjarke ingels takes to kansas with mass timber 'makers KUbe'

bjarke ingels group’s vision for kansas

Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), in collaboration with BNIM, has unveiled a new architectural landmark for the University of Kansas School of Architecture & Design: the Makers’ KUbe. The KUbe is envisioned as a living embodiment of the school‘s values — a space fostering creativity, collaboration, and environmental stewardship. Designed in response to the needs of the school’s 1,300-strong community, the Makers’ KUbe forms the centerpiece of a three-building complex. The existing Marvin Hall (1908) will be preserved, while Chalmers Hall (1978) will undergo renovations to improve natural light access. This creates a connected campus hub, where history meets innovation.

visualizations © Kilograph, unless otherwise stated

The Makers’ KUbe will Take Shape with mass timber

The Makers’ KUbe is designed by the architects at Bjarke Ingels as a monumental 50,000-square-foot structure built with mass timber. The diagrid frame, engineered by StructureCraft, utilizes tight-fit dowels and glulam beams to create a strong, all-wood structure. This approach minimizes carbon-intensive concrete and showcases traditional Japanese joinery techniques. The building’s stripped-back facade features a mix of transparent and opaque glass, offering glimpses of the building’s inner workings and showcasing the creativity within. Biodegradable hemp-wool insulation provides thermal performance, further emphasizing the KUbe’s commitment to sustainability.

BIG unveils Makers’ KUbe, a new building for the University of Kansas School of Architecture & Design

encouraging collaboration and interaction

Bjarke Ingels Group strategically orients The KUbe’s massing to maximize light and air for all three buildings. Winter garden bridges on the second floor connect the KUbe to Marvin and Chalmers Halls, promoting interaction between students and faculty. The ground floor features inviting entrances, while upper-level terraces offer panoramic views, creating a sense of openness and connection.

The light-filled, six-story interior of the KUbe is an open-plan studio space designed to encourage collaboration. It houses everything from dedicated 3D printing and robotics labs to a cafe, all organized around a central core. Flexible floorplates allow for a variety of configurations, from single-height classrooms to double-height studios. A fire-resistant spiral staircase provides a unique pathway and encourages chance encounters, further sparking creativity.

Makers’ KUbe is a collaborative space for learning and showcases sustainable practices | image © BIG

The Makers’ KUbe embodies the university’s commitment to a sustainable future. Preserving existing buildings and using low-carbon timber construction minimizes the project’s environmental impact. Additionally, rooftop photovoltaic panels generate clean energy, while a rainwater harvesting system reduces the reliance on municipal water. The Makers’ KUbe joins BIG’s growing portfolio of innovative educational spaces, including UMass Amherst’s Isenberg Innovation Hub and the upcoming Johns Hopkins University Student Center and Claremont McKenna College’s Robert Day Sciences Center.

the design incorporates existing buildings and minimizes environmental impact with mass timber construction
the building’s diagrid frame is made from wood, reducing reliance on concrete

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project info:

project title: Makers KUbe

architecture: Bjarke Ingels Group / BIG | @big_builds

location: Kansas, USA

client: University of Kansas

size: 178,663 square feet
collaborators: BNIM, StructureCraft, Walter P Moore, Cumming Group, JE Dunn Construction, Smith & Boucher, Forza Consultants, SK Design Group, Rosin Preservation, Kilograph

BIG TEAM
partners-in-charge: Bjarke Ingels, Thomas Christoffersen, Leon Rost
project manager: Yu Inamoto
design lead: Alana Goldweit
project architect: Dominyka Voelkle
team: Daniela Morin, Dylan Hames, Ema Bakalova, Hudson Parris, Isela Liu, Margaret Tyrpa, Megan Octaviani, Nele Herrmann, Paola Bokobsa, Praveen Lalitha Kishorekumar, Tara Abedinitafreshi, Thomas Guerra, Will Chuanrui Yu, Youjin Rhee