Design Students and Faculty Tour Kentucky State Capitol Renovation with Champlin | EOP
On Thursday, May 15, students and faculty from the University of Kentucky College of Design had a unique opportunity to tour the Kentucky State Capitol Building, currently undergoing a $260 million, multi-year renovation. The guided tour was hosted by UK Design alums Principal Architect Kevin Gough (BArch, 1999) and Project Designer Afif Alahmad (BArch, 2018; MArch, 2020) of Champlin | EOP, the firm overseeing the ambitious restoration of this iconic structure.
The Kentucky State Capitol, completed in 1910, is a landmark example of Beaux-Arts Classicism and continues to serve as the seat of state government. The tour explored the design strategy, logistical challenges and architectural considerations involved in revitalizing one of Kentucky’s most notable civic structures. Attendees gained insight into structural interventions, material conservation and how the design team is working with state officials to balance functionality, sustainability and heritage.
The Capitol renovation is a multi-year project that began with restoration of the building’s dome in 2022. As part of the next major phase, crews are now in the process of removing furniture and finishing preparing the building for more intensive work scheduled to begin this summer. Tour attendees were able to observe the building in a rare state, stripped down to its core architectural elements, providing a unique learning moment on the intersection of historic preservation, design innovation and modern construction management.
“This was an extraordinary opportunity for our students to see how one of Kentucky’s leading design firms is tackling a project of this scale and complexity,” said Daniel Vivian, associate professor in the Department of Historic Preservation and tour organizer. “Experiences like this allow our students to connect classroom learning with real-world practice.”
For more information on the Kentucky State Capitol renovation, visit: https://www.thinkchamplin.com/realize/commonwealth-of-kentucky-state-captiol.