Fort Hays State University Schmidt Foundation Center for Art & Design
A rural campus inspires.
Fort Hays State University’s campus is steeped in history, characterized by its rural charm and iconic limestone-clad buildings. The Schmidt Foundation Center for Art and Design sought to honor this rich heritage while introducing a modern touch, seamlessly blending into the campus’s contextual language. Drawing inspiration from the existing architectural patterns, the exterior façade echoed nearby gabled roofs, window patterns, and materials while incorporating contemporary elements.
The two-story, 43,000 sq.ft. facility is a vibrant community hub for art and design with opportunities to create and display art throughout. The programmatic layout was carefully crafted to foster collaboration and creativity, with a central, double-height atrium between two classroom wings serving as the Center’s heart. The massing is oriented for solar optimization and a connection to nature, creating an indoor-outdoor experience that simultaneously inspires its occupants while attracting those outside to enter. Louvres provide sun shading, ensuring the building’s thermal comfort and increasing energy efficiency.
Each learning space is designed to maximize daylight and support the unique needs of its respective disciplines, providing students with the tools and environment necessary for artistic exploration. Specialized classrooms within the north wing include drawing, painting, ceramics, and photography. For example, the ceramics classroom has both an indoor kiln room and a patio with outdoor kilns attached, while the photography classroom has a dark room within.
The south wing is home to programs such as graphic design, interior design, motion design, and printmaking. The learning and maker spaces were designed for flexibility and to support both individual and group work. Wood ceilings bring a warmth to the interiors, with some classrooms featuring custom-detailed wood slatted ceilings.
The Schmidt Foundation Center for Art and Design is connected to the Moss-Thorns Gallery via an enclosed glazed walkway that provides additional opportunities to display student artwork.
Moss‑Thorns Gallery
The Moss-Thorns Gallery is an adaptive reuse of a historic power plant on the campus repurposed to showcase students’ work to the public. It includes a 2,000 sq.ft. addition for art collection storage that seamlessly blends with the original structure’s brickwork.
We've always had incredible design programs and curriculums, and now we finally have a building that reflects that caliber.Thomas Giebler Graduate Student, Fort Hays State University
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Location
Hays, KS
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Size
43,000 sq.ft.
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Client
Fort Hays State University
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General Contractor
Paul Wertenberger Construction, Inc.
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Photographer
Justin Miers
