The Forum, which will be located on the main floor of the new building, is being named in honor of Professor David M. Biagi thanks to a generous gift of $1 million from Henry Heuser of Louisville. Tricia Biagi, David’s widow, along with their children Sophia and Leo, are honored to have David’s dedication to the College of Design memorialized in such a meaningful way.

“We are grateful to Henry’s generosity in establishing this significant legacy in David’s honor,” said Tricia. “As an architect, educator, and administrator, David was focused on putting people in a position to succeed. The ideas and concepts expressed in the Forum will continue David’s vision to inspire students to succeed beyond their imagination.”

Biagi was the inaugural director of the School of Architecture at the University of Kentucky’s College of Design (2003-2016), Interim Dean of the College of Design (2007-2008), and the Director of Studio Louisville, the College’s first satellite studio (2017-2019). Heuser has been a long-time friend of the Biagi family and was an avid admirer and patron of David’s esteemed design talent.

The David M. Biagi Forum, which will inhabit 2,400 square feet of space of the new building, serves as a multipurpose, centrally located space for public gatherings. As the College’s main congregative space, the Forum includes a shared mezzanine that allows those in the hall or upper classroom to observe the events inside.

The space can also easily be reconfigured for events, studios and other uses. Technology within this space also allows the College to broadcast events to those throughout the building, and the acoustically treated interior provides controlled propagation of sound.