Studio 804, Inc. is a University of Kansas, not-for-profit 501(c)3 corporation. Participants include third-year graduate and fifth-year undergraduate students in the School of Architecture and Urban Planning under the instruction of Dan Rockhill. The students execute a process that involves working with each other as both architects and builders to create structures that inspire growth in neighborhoods that have lacked development in recent generations. All Studio 804 projects adhere to standards of environmental sustainability, energy efficiency, and accessibility. The structures are unique architectural designs, which fully address important issues pertinent to the professional field.

The Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant outside of DeSoto, Kansas began operations in 1942 specializing in the manufacturing of smokeless powder and propellants. The 9,065 acre site has been undergoing a decontamination process of some one-thousand retired ammunition buildings from volatile toxins and explosives since 1992. Studio 804 secured the right to harvest environmentally clean materials from this site. In 2009 Studio 804 demolished one magazine building to reconstitute the dimension lumber and sheathing into the framing and construction process. The reclamation of Douglas-fir lumber highlights the initiative to lead sustainable construction practices.

A broad southern exposure makes the best use of passive sustainable concepts; therefore, the long and narrow building is placed towards the northern-most edge of the site. The elongated, thin profile of the site also determines its slender building form. This home acts as a beacon of sustainability for the region, as it is designed to be the fist LEED Platinum home in the Kansas City Metro Area. Sustainable systems, recycled products, environmentally responsible finishes, as well as reclaimed timber are employed throughout the building.

In an effort to tout sustainability within the greater community many active systems were integrated with passive systems of design. The interior temperature is naturally regulated by the combination of the thermal mass concrete floor, twelve fixed louvers for solar radiation control, and operable skylight windows for cross ventilation. Active systems include the 4.8 kW photovoltaic array, 2 kW vertical-axis wind turbines, three geothermal heat wells exchange energy within the earth to reduce heat load, high efficiency HVAC with ERV, and many high efficiency appliances and fixtures. To mitigate water run-off the house utilizes a 1,060 gallon cistern for rain water harvesting, pervious walkway and driveway allows water to percolate into the earth, and drought-tolerant fescue requires minimal irrigation.

The steel & glass core project was designed and fabricatedall within the span of eight weeks. The concept was to unite all spaces nearthe circulation core with natural sunlight but also with a division of privacy.The use of clear and satin panes provides this privacy while bringingnatural light deep into the basement. The mechanical chase runs behind thenorth wall of the core concealed by direct view.

Studio 804 Team: Alison Lampier, Andrew Thomas, Becca Maness, BenjaminChapman, Caleb Reed, Collin Jacobs, Danielle Blodgett, Erik Biggs, Frank Lindemann, Garret Wilson, Jared Eder, Jason Sadler, Jesse Brubacher, Joshua Bender, KateFrick, Kyle Davis, Megon Rux, Molly Fogarty, Patrick Noble, Sam Edelstein, Stephanie Winn, Dan Rockhill, Blake Perkins