Posted on Mon, Feb. 18, 2008

A group of graduate architecture students at the University of Kansas is building what Greensburg leaders hope will be an example of "green" design and construction.

The KU design and build program is constructing the sustainable prototype using materials salvaged from an ammunition plant, wind turbines and a geothermal heat pump, among other Earth-friendly systems and designs.

The students, in the Studio 804 class, hope to unveil the building in Greensburg on May 4, the one-year anniversary of the EF5 tornado that tore through the town, leaving little intact.

The town has pledged that all city-owned buildings will be certified at the highest LEED -- Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design--level, platinum. It is the first city to take such a pledge in the United States.

The 1,600-square-foot building, to be relocated to Greensburg's downtown area, will be used as an art gallery and community gathering space.

"I think this building is going to be unlike anything anybody here has ever seen before and will be a great

example for our community to see what LEED platinum looks like," said Stacy Barnes, board president of 547 Arts Center.

The center was named after the date of the tornado.

The nonprofit group is working with Studio 804 students, under the direction of Dan Rockhill, the J.L. Constant Distinguished Professor of Architecture.

The 22 students are working in a Lawrence warehouse constructing modular units that they eventually will bring to Greensburg and reassemble.

Rockhill said that the United States Green Building Council, a nonprofit trade organization, developed LEED as a standard for the design, construction and operation of sustainable buildings.

In its 12 years of existence, the Studio 804 program has leaned toward green techniques -- salvaging much of its building materials, Rockhill said.

But this is the first year students are participating in the LEED process, he said.

Arts center

Much like the recycled materials making up the building, it too will have multiple functions.

The 547 Arts Center also will offer art classes.

"It's always been a dream of mine to open an arts facility here in Greensburg," said Barnes, assistant to the city administrator and a ceramic artist.

Even though the building will not be owned by the city, it is being built to LEED platinum standards.

If sold on the market, the building likely would cost about $380,000; that includes the four lots it will sit on.

Studio 804 received seed money from the Kansas Housing Resources Corp. and the American Institute of Architects as well as numerous smaller donations from around the nation, Rockhill said.

Costs have been reduced because the labor is donated by the students, and Studio 804 has reclaimed building materials from the closed Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant located between Lawrence and Kansas City, Kan.

More than 1,000 old ammunition buildings are on the 9,000-acre site.

Students' idea

Rockhill said the Greensburg project started with his students.

Studio 804 most recently has been working in blighted areas of Kansas City. Students asked Rockhill if he had given any thought to going to Greensburg.

"I held off because I know from experience that these kinds of tragedies, it takes awhile for people to get their feet on the ground," he said.

"My students were very keen on the possibilities. They went down and made inquiry sometime in November."

Not only do Studio 804 students design a building each year, they also build it.

"I've got eager builders," Rockhill said. "I think it's always good to give a little back."

Reach Deb Gruver at 316-268-6400 or dgruver@wichitaeagle.com.