Studio 804 to host May 16 open house for latest sustainable design-build project in Lawrence

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas School of Architecture & Design’s Studio 804 will host a public open house for its latest student-designed and constructed home May 16 in Lawrence.

The project continues Studio 804’s internationally recognized legacy of design‑build innovation, transforming a former brownfield site into a high-performance residence rooted in sustainability, craftsmanship and community impact, according to designers. Developed over nine months by 19 KU architecture students, the home demonstrates how design education can address environmental and housing challenges at a local level.

Event details

The public is invited to tour the completed project:

• What: Open house for Studio 804’s latest sustainable home
• When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 16
• Where: 1144 E. 12th St., Lawrence
• Parking/access: Visitors are asked to be courteous of neighbors. Avoid parking on grass or on both sides of the street; additional parking is available at Brook Creek Park.

The home reflects Studio 804’s emphasis on high-performance design and material innovation. Key features include a ventilated zinc rainscreen, polished concrete floors and glue-laminated timber portal frames, along with the adaptive reuse of salvaged structural wood from a mid-century building.

Designed to meet LEED Platinum certification (pending), the house incorporates advanced energy strategies, including 16 solar panels, high-efficiency appliances and a triple-glazed curtain wall system that improves energy performance while enhancing daylight.

The project also includes a flexible accessory dwelling unit that can adapt to changing housing needs, supporting broader efforts to strengthen neighborhoods through thoughtful design. By combining prefabrication, sustainable materials and hands-on construction, the project illustrates how architecture can contribute to both environmental responsibility and community resilience, designers said.

Studio 804 provides KU students with a comprehensive design-build experience, guiding them through all phases of design and construction. Through this process, students gain real-world experience in building systems, fabrication and collaboration while contributing to projects with lasting community impact.