Reconnecting Campus Science Programs: Kansas University Master Planning

Punit Jain, AIA, LEED AP, Cannon Design
Tracy Ann Horstman, University of Kansas

Many higher education institutions are struggling with the reality that several buildings on their campus are becoming outdated at the same time. This presentation will look at how Kansas University took a planning approach to the challenge and realized that overtime, their science teaching and research programs had become scattered and located throughout multiple buildings across campus, while attempting. This scattering of programs has led to decreased communication and collaboration across campus and forced teaching in inadequately sized labs. The master plan approach Kansas took to the challenge is the right approach. It allows the university to stop looking at the problem related to isolated buildings but actually as an entire campus project and culture change. The resulting work at KU will lead to stronger planning, scheduling and collaboration across science disciplines. Smarter planning enables the university to use space and resources more efficiently and thus lower costs and energy use. The end result of smart master planning is often money saved and important campus consolidation. The challenges at KU are not unlike those that other academic teaching and research institutions are facing around the world. Academic science has changed rapidly over the past decade and will continue to evolve, hence the need for performance-based strategies and flexible design to allow reorganization to produce learning outcomes. A deep look at the master planning efforts at KU will help other institutions best understand how they can handle this rapid and important shift.

Biographies:

Punit Jain. As a key member of the firm's Science & Technology practice, Jain brings extensive experience in designing both teaching and research laboratory buildings. Jain also serves as the firm's sustainable design leader, responsible for promoting high-performance design through LEED® certification, conducting training for the firm's professionals and high-performance design practices. Punit has served on the National Board of the United States Green Building Council (USGBC).A graduate of Washington University in St. Louis with a Masters in Architecture and Construction Management, Jain has taught at the School of Art & Design at Maryville University and St. Louis Community College and serves as a visiting critic for the schools of architecture at Washington University and the University of Illinois at Champaign. He frequently presents at international conferences and received the 2010 Go Beyond Award during the Labs 21conference for his continued sustainable efforts.

Tracy Ann Horstman is the Assistant Vice Provost for Capital Planning & Space Management (CPSM) at The University of Kansas. CPSM is tasked with guiding large capital projects through the planning process as well as space analysis and reporting. She serves as the initial point of contact for most project ideas and concepts and is currently one of the KU leads for the campus master planning effort. Tracy has a B.A. in design from The University of Iowa and an M.B.A. from KU. She spent many years in the private sector in design and construction management before refocusing her knowledge and skills at a public research university. Although higher education facilities have their own set of challenges, Tracy finds The University of Kansas quite rewarding and full of opportunities.

Note: I²SL did not edit or revise abstract or biography text. Abstracts and biographies are displayed as submitted by the author(s).