Kent State Narrows Architecture Firms to 8 in Design Competition for New College

The architecture firms vying to design Kent State University's new architecture college have been narrowed from 36 applicants to eight semi-finalists.

Douglas Steidl, dean of the university's architecture college, said he expects the eight semi-finalists — who have already been chosen — will be announced this week.

The new building, which will stand on the Esplanade, will go through a design competition process instead of the usual design-build process. That means the winning firm will be chosen based on their submitted proposals for the new college.

Steidle said of the eight semi-finalists the university will pick by November three or four firms, who will be paid a stipend to design models of the building.

The winning firm will be chosen by January, Steidl said.

The $40 million architecture building is part of $170 million in renovations planned for the Kent campus.

MORE COVERAGE:

• New Kent State Architecture Building to Stand on Esplanade
• Video shows Kent State Renovation Plans
• Kent State Trustees Sign Off on $146 Million in Construction Projects at Main Campus