Completed in 2024, the Gray Design Building is 100,000 square feet of open studio space, state-of-the-art fabrication lab facilities, classrooms, offices and event spaces — a place where students of architecture, interiors, historic preservation, and product design — as well as students in landscape architecture and biomedical engineering — can all learn and work together in a modern, cross-disciplinary environment. Built in 1917 and situated at one of the most prominent entries into the city of Lexington, the former tobacco warehouse has been transformed into an open, dynamic space that encourages interaction and collaboration between students and faculty of various disciplines.
The Gray Design Building
The College of Design's New Home
Adaptive Reuse
The adaptive reuse of the Gray Design Building was meticulously planned to preserve its historical essence while transforming it into a cutting-edge educational facility. Key elements of the original structure, such as the exposed brick walls, wooden beams, and large windows, have been carefully restored to honor its architectural heritage. Modern enhancements like energy-efficient systems and state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment were designed to meet contemporary academic needs while maintaining the building’s historical integrity.
The Gray Design Building is more than a renovation project — it’s a re-envisioning of how a historic building can adapt to modern educational needs while preserving its architectural essence. It is a prime example of adaptive reuse and sustainable building practices, symbolizing a bridge between the building's industrial past and its innovative future as a hub for design education.
Design & Construction Team
Design Architect: Studio Gang
Architect of Record: K. Norman Berry Associates Architects
General Contractors: Turner Construction Company
Engineer: CMTA, Inc.
Structural Engineer: Brown + Kubican, PSC
Civil Engineer / Landscape Architect: Carman
Acoustics Consultant: Harvey Marshall Berling Associates
Lighting Consultant: Pritchard Peck
Building Features
Open Studios
The concept of an open studio environment is more than open and more than flexible. It provides for significant self-navigation of students’ education. By removing the obstruction of walls, students are able to learn from their peers both directly and indirectly. Exposure to projects from all disciplines allows for a broader and deeper definition of the field of design, encouraging a cross-disciplinary ecosystem and stronger sense of community.
Maker's Suite
At more than 8,000 square feet and comprised of multiple specialized areas, the Maker’s Suite is one of the most important elements of the design studio experience. In addition to traditional woodworking tools, the Maker's Suite features a large CNC router, laser cutter, robot arm, vacuum former, 3D printers, a digital knitting machine and more, ensuring that our students have all the tools they need to bring their designs to life.
Maker Marquee
One of the most noticeable and significant features of the Gray Design Building's exterior, the Maker Marquee serves to extend the Maker Suite's fabrication space to the outdoors. With a loading dock at one end and almost 4,000 square feet of covered space in which to work, the Maker Marquee allows students to build full-scale models in a protected environment, while putting design on display for the wider University community.
The Clearing
The Clearing is the "heart" of the Gray Design Building. Designed to connect the two floors both physically and visually, it allows natural light from the clerestory to fill the building. Surrounded by open studios, the café, the gallery, and the Maker's Suite, the Clearing serves as a hub, encouraging movement and interaction among the College community and visitors. From this spot, you can see throughout much of the building and appreciate the architecture of the reimagined warehouse.
The Forum
The Forum is the Gray Design Building's multipurpose, centrally located space for public gatherings. At 2,400 square feet, the Forum has seating for 90 on the main floor and an additional 35 in the balcony. The space can be reconfigured for guest lectures, studios, workshops and other uses. Technology within the space allows live streaming of events to those outside the building, and the acoustically treated interior provides clear movement of sound.
Our Donors
Special thanks to the donors and friends of the college who helped make the Gray Design Building a reality:
Gray, Inc; Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food & Environment; Henry Heuser; Keith Woodard; Harold Tate; Hilary J. Boone Foundation/Alex Boone; University of Kentucky Federal Credit Union; Debra Lehman Smith; Mark Steele; KNBA (K. Norman Berry '65, Harry Dumesnil '85, Steve Eggers '74, Christoper Fuller '92, Bob Haffermann '83, Ed Krebs '83); AIA Kentucky; JRA Architects ; Luckett & Farley (Aric Andrew, Rolf Provan, William Maffett); Elinor Markle; Omni Architects (Michael Jacobs, Eric Zabilka); Billy Van Pelt; Mary Christine Planck; Chad Polk; Tate Hill Jacobs (Margaret Jacobs, Sabrina Oaks, Katrina Littrell); Chris and Daniel Richards; Ross Tarrant Architects (Jeffrey C. Stivers); Ezekiel Foundation, Inc.; Sherman Carter Barnhart (Michael Smith); Mariah Gratz/Weyland Ventures; Pam Collignon; Dan and Bunny Abbott; Randall Stevens; John L. Carman; Mark W. Steele; Leonard Wujcik; Morgan McIlwain; Rob and Julie Sears; Chris and Dan Richards; Richard C. White & Kristan S. White; Holly Wiedemann; Mark Taylor/Architerra Group; J. Tim Skinner; Scott Veazey; Michael Shoulders; Jere Planck; Keith Woodard; Thomas Hickey; Franklin Gray/Gray Construction; Gibson Taylor Thompson Architecture & Design, LLC; Patrick Hobgood; Greg Reaves; Leah Ray; John Carran; Eileen Jones '76; Lu Ann Holmes '79; Jack Weber '85; Chris Estes '91; Richard (Rick) Jones;Micah Campbell; Bayer Properties; Greg Fischer; Josh and Kelly Ives; Charlotte Leedy; Nancy Reid; Gregory Basil Rousos; Mary Vosevich & Jeff Hart; Joe & Sharon Robinson; John Sharpe; Michael (Mike) Tuttle; Meeyoung & Stephen Melamed; Stephanie Morrison; Joe Meyer; Tim and Jackie Condo; D. Robert Deal; Brian Shelton; Jody Boelhauf; James Pennington; Jeff Lane; atthew Bowman Myers & Virginia (Gina) Myers.