Highland Associates Architectural Designer Andrew Forney, a member of the Studio 804 Class of 2015 School of Architecture, Design & Planning at the University of Kansas, helped complete the Marvin Hall expansion project that is featured in Architectural Record Nov 2015 Colleges & Universities issue, pages 140 – 145. 
“When I decided to take the leap of faith and pursue my graduate degree, I became enthralled with design-build programs to get a hands-on perspective and a comprehensive understanding of architecture from beginning to end,” stated Forney. “From my research, the School of Architecture, Design, and Planning at the University of Kansas was among the elite with Studio 804 as a final year option. Studio 804 is unique in many aspects because the students are responsible for all aspects of the building. The experience was as “real-world” as you can get – working in a team environment, managing the design process, understanding certification requirements, dealing with budgets, working with construction schedules, and the list goes on and on,” says Forney.
This dynamic project challenges the notion of the buildings traditional context and due to the scope of work spans across two Studio 804 design-build studios. The 2014 Studio 804 team developed the design from initial concept and left with a large portion of construction completed. The 2015 class was charged with final completion and documentation – including landscaping, flooring, and many final interior details. The LEED Platinum building addition provides a much needed space for students to come together and represents the highest mission of Studio 804 which is “…to provide students an experience encompassing all aspects of the design and construction process…”
“It was an invaluable experience to understand how the elements that we [architects and designers] create come together as a cohesive piece of architecture,” said Fornay. “The studio exceeded my expectations and fulfilled the initial craving for a comprehensive understanding of the built environment. The process of transitioning from academia to the architectural practice at Highland Associates was alleviated with the as-near real-world experience of Studio 804. It has had a profound impact on my short architectural career and I look forward to continuing to gain knowledge about the practice of architecture, while utilizing the skills and knowledge gained from Studio 804,” says Forney.
To learn more, read the article here:
