American architecture firm Studio Gang has converted a former 1910s tobacco warehouse into studios with a massive external shade structure for the University of Kentucky's College of Design.

Located on an "underused edge" of the University of Kentucky's Lexington campus, the former warehouse was built in 1917 and acquired by the university in 1959, when it temporarily housed art programs for the school.

Under its most recent renovation by Studio Gang, the 132,000-square-foot (12,210 square metre) building will now host the entirety of the College of Design, as well as landscape architecture programs and a biomedical engineering studio.

Updates to the building include the addition of a central lobby stair, a double-height lecture hall, mobile furniture and pin-up walls, and a "structural canopy" that extends along one side.

The studio sought to combine the new additions with some of the elements from the existing building, such as retaining much of the building's existing structure including foundations, exterior walls, timber beams, and steel trusses.

"Extending the lifespan of existing buildings is one of the most significant ways we can limit our impact on the environment and broaden the creative potential of architecture," said Studio Gang founding partner Jeanne Gang.

"Our goal was to bridge the building's past and future by preserving its distinct character while renewing it as a place where creativity can thrive through collaboration. I look forward to seeing how students and faculty use the building to push and blur the boundaries of their disciplines."

Visitors enter the building and into a double-height lobby, where a metal staircase leads to the building's first storey.

Academic programming such as expansive open-floor studios, individual faculty offices, and lecture halls are distributed throughout the space on both levels.

Shared and "flexible" spaces, such as a gallery and a main lecture hall, were clustered closer to the entry stair, while the studios branch off and extend along the building's length.

A largely open floor plan was used throughout both levels and walls were "minimized" to bring in natural light. Mobile elements and columns were used to "demarcate" between spaces.

"Spaces for gathering are clustered near the ground floor's center to encourage mixed interactions and an exchange of ideas," said the team.

"On the upper levels, open floor plans use the original timber columns, along with mobile pin-up walls and furniture, to demarcate each studio space."

On the outside of the building, a new work area was provided for "large-scale" making and connects to an interior studio through a loading dock entry.

The building's canopy extension covers the area to provide shade and cooling, while trees and greenery were placed around the building to do the same.

"A structural canopy extending over the fabrication dock creates a protective microclimate adjacent to the building, enabling students to comfortably work outside," said the studio.

Due to the use of the pre-existing structure and energy-efficient systems such as the geothermal well system, Studio Gang estimates the building's energy will be 70 to 80 per cent lower than a "conventional higher education building".

Studio Gang recently completed a skyscraper in San Francisco and broke ground on a greenhouse-topped urban agricultural centre in Brooklyn.

The photography is by Tom Harris

Project Team:

Architect of record: K. Norman Berry Associates,
Structural engineer: Brown + Kubican
MEP/FP engineer, AV/IT and security consultant: CMTA,Landscape architect, civil engineer: Carman,
Lighting designer: PritchardPeck Lighting,
Acoustics consultant: Harvey Marshall Berling Associates,
Quantity surveyor: Robert Pass & Associates
Surveyor: Endris Engineering
3D laser scanning: Ayoroa Simmons
General contractor: Turner Construction