An international landscape architect with family ties to the Kansas State Architecture Department asked us to design a new residential apartment building located adjacent to campus near the Van Zile, Boyd, and Putnam Hall complex. These adjacent building forms influenced the architecture and the collegiate notion of a walkable campus influenced the site design. It has been engaging to think about this project type within the context of the adjacent “academic” architecture of the campus.

Creating an appropriate presence on Ratone Street was critical. The structure is 3 stories in height with a long east-west orientation. The middle majority of the building is set back from the sidewalk creating a landscape buffer. Tenants within the building have a comfortable relationship to the street; passers by have a comfortable relationship to the building.

The building is a mix of three, two, and one bedroom units which feature 9 feet + ceiling heights, flexible floor plans, floor to ceiling kitchen cabinetry, and in some cases on the third floor, south facing dormer windows. Units are accessed from the street and parking lot via interior stairways.

Construction is underway with completion scheduled for the fall 2024 school semester.