The American Institute of Architects has recognized the Youngmeyer Ranch building as a recipient of its prestigious Small Projects Award. The low-profile, off-grid facility, located in Elk County and owned by the Youngmeyer Trust, opened in the summer of 2022 and was immediately put to use by Wichita State faculty and students for applied learning and applied research opportunities.
Brad Feinknopf“Our goal was to construct a facility that would support the teaching and research of field biology,” Greg Houseman, professor of biological sciences and field station director, said. “For many of our students, these field experiences are pivotal to understanding how prairies work and discovering the best ways to manage these at-risk habitats.”
A recent upgrade to the solar power system has led to a new configuration of three roof and two ground arrays, and energy is stored in six Tesla batteries. Water is provided by a well, holding nearly 2,500 gallons for general use and to supply the building’s sprinkler system. Finish and design materials were inspired by the prairie, and the building is nearly invisible until one is well inside the ranch property.
“The Youngmeyer property is unique in that it sits on 4,700 acres of pristine prairie with few other buildings for miles. A primary goal was to design a building that fits into that landscape rather than one that would stand out,” Houseman said. “The facility’s shape reflects the outcrops common in the Flint Hills and exposed walls have rockwork designed to simulate the Flint Hills rock strata.
As an actively-used research space, the building includes a kitchen, sleeping quarters, lab space and a common area. The design was structured to support teaching and research by individuals or for classes such as plant ecology, field botany, and herpetology, as well as courses in related disciplines.
“This project demonstrates how even small projects can serve a large geographic area with a well-articulated outcome,” one AIA juror said. “It’s a humble project but contains many high-quality design elements that delight as well. It’s a home away from home for the students and educators conducting research in a critical ecosystem.”
Courtesy photoEmily Patterson, Wichita State’s executive director of facilities planning, worked closely with all parties involved and was thrilled with the award recognition.
“The Youngmeyer Ranch field station building is a very special gem!" Patterson said. “It is a huge bonus to have it recognized with a national AIA Small Project Award. I’m excited to see the impact that it will have on the biology department.”
The structure cost approximately $2 million to build and was paid for entirely by donors. Hutton Design+Build, a division of Hutton, designed and built the facility. Learn more about the Youngmeyer Ranch building by visiting bit.ly/4aWzDCx and bit.ly/3KFjaYN.