Kansas State University

MANHATTAN -- An architect has been selected to oversee the design of Kansas State University's new residence hall and dining center.

Treanor Architects' student life design studio will be the architect of record for the new facilities, which will become part of the current Kramer Complex that includes Goodnow and Marlatt residence halls.

Treanor Architects specializes in designs that support students' personal, social and academic success. In the past five years, the studio has planned, programmed or designed 45 student life projects totaling more than $1 billion in construction dollars. These projects include student housing at Texas A&M University, the College of William and Mary and the University of Missouri.

"Choosing an architect was easily one of the most important decisions to make in this process," said Derek Jackson, director of housing and dining services at Kansas State University. "Treanor's student life design studio was chosen for their experience and expertise in creating engaging, modern spaces that are tailored specifically to the needs of colleges and universities. Their portfolio speaks for itself, and after meeting with them, we couldn't be more excited about the project's potential."

Treanor Architects has contracted with two specialty consultants to assist with the dining center's design. Mesher Shing McNutt is an architecture and interior design firm that focuses on food service concepts. It has designed several notable dining projects, from the award-winning Turner Place at Virginia Tech to facilities for Starbucks, Microsoft, Amazon, Michigan State University, Princeton and the University of California, Berkeley. Ricca Newmark Design specializes in food service programming, planning and kitchen equipment design, and will provide design assistance for the kitchen and food service areas. The company has designed state-of-the-art kitchens worldwide, with recently completed projects at Dartmouth College and the University of Wisconsin.

"Through a very competitive selection process, K-State identified a team of architects with lots of leading residence life experience -- one that shares our commitment to putting our students first," said Pat Bosco, Kansas State University's vice president for student life and dean of students.

One of the ways in which students will play an active role in the facilities' design is through focus group meetings arranged by housing and dining services.

"We really wanted to capture the student voice for the architects," said Stephanie Bannister, associate director of housing and dining services. "We recognize that no one is better suited to express students' needs than the students themselves. We are fortunate to have a team in place that will seek out, advocate for and listen to the voice of students."

Plans to build the new facilities were announced in May following approval from the Kansas Board of Regents. The project includes construction of a 450-bed, 129,036-square-foot residence hall and a 57,996-square-foot dining center, plus renovations to Marlatt and Goodnow residence halls. Once complete, the four buildings will be connected by enclosed walkways. The project will be funded with housing fees and revenue bonds.

Housing and dining services is committed to keeping Kansas State University and the surrounding community informed throughout the design and construction process, and will issue frequent updates at http://housing.k-state.edu/, local news outlets, and other written and electronic communications.