In the Studio 804 program, KU’s architecture students build more than a house.

For students earning their master’s in architecture at the University of Kansas, the final year of the program is unlike any other. This is the year they can trade classrooms for global immersion or construction sites. The year they step into real-world responsibility. And the year that some students build a home that will serve a local family for years to come.

KU offers a five-year architecture program that students enter as freshmen, earning both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in a seamless, integrated path from undergraduate foundations to advanced, hands-on graduate work. In their final year, students can choose from several immersive design experiences, including an internship in Paris. One of the most renowned is Studio 804, where students design and construct a building from start to finish. Although it’s typically associated with fifth-year master’s students, other architecture graduates can also participate.

This unique opportunity is where KU students gain a true understanding of the sweet spot where architecture and construction meet. Studio 804 is a full-scale design-build experience that brings architecture off the page and into the real world. Guided by the experienced eye of Distinguished Professor Dan Rockhill, the work is led by students from start to finish.

Where Architecture Education Meets Real Life

Students in the Studio 804 program plan, design and construct a fully realized structure — most often a family home — right in the heart of Lawrence, Kansas. They take the lead on every detail, from early sketches and sustainability certifications to framing walls and pouring foundations. 

In a single academic year, this group of students will build the project from the ground up. The program has a longstanding history at KU and is unique amongst architecture master’s programs across the country, according to 2025 Studio 804 alumni Madeline Bachelor. 

“The caliber of the project that Studio 804 does and the scale that they work to is really unique. It is something very exclusive to KU,” Madeline shared. “Our professor Dan Rockhill developed this program to find ways to connect architecture students to the real world, with real world experiences and applications. He saw a drive in a lot of students to learn more and be on site and continue to expand our architecture education.”

According to Alex Meyer, another Studio 804 alumni, the project challenges them, empowers them and prepares them for what comes next.

“Studio 804 is a unique experience because it allows students to get the full building aspect from start to finish, you do everything hands-on,” Alex explained. “You're allowed to experience every step. We design the structure and then get that experience of building a complex structure that regular architecture programs don't always allow you to do, because so much of architecture is computer-based.”

From Classroom to Construction Site

Studio 804 is often described as the capstone of KU’s accredited Master of Architecture program, but many students say it feels like something even bigger. It’s a rite of passage. This is the moment when everything they’ve learned finally comes together for one shared purpose. The students spend the early months of the project designing, and then they jump right into one of the most intense experiences of their lives. 

For Madeline, the project felt especially meaningful because of the connection the students built with the local community. As they worked to complete the house, neighbors and Lawrence residents showed up to support them with encouragement, curiosity and even homemade treats.

“We really enjoy working out here in Lawrence, and we’ve received a lot of support from the neighbors. We have people walking by all day, and they’ll stop and ask us questions. They love to see the work that we’re doing.” Madeline said. “We even had a neighbor invite everyone over for lunch! She just wanted to show us her support, and we are so grateful to be in such a wonderful neighborhood. Everyone walks by and sees the progress that we make, and they hear us working early mornings and late nights, and they’re just so excited for us.”

These kinds of personal connections are part of what makes KU’s program so special. Students are not building for a grade or a portfolio; they are building something real in a real neighborhood for real people who will live in the home after the project is complete.

How Studio 804 Prepares Students for Architecture Careers

The Studio 804 program is a unique blend of architecture and construction. At KU, architecture is not just about drawing plans or using software. It’s about understanding how design choices affect real materials and how buildings serve the people who live and work in them. 

Studio 804 helps students learn how architecture interacts with climate, cost, sustainability and community. That kind of hands-on learning is rare in other Master of Architecture programs and gives KU students an advantage in both job interviews and the workplace.

“When it comes to job searches, Studio 804 sets you apart, because it allows you to have a step up on other candidates that haven't had that hands-on experience. It gives you the opportunity to explore things in the construction industry as well,” Alex shared.

Madeline agreed. “Studio 804 has opened a lot of doors. Some of us are looking into construction or project management, and all the different realms that our degree can be applied to. Just being able to have this experience, we’ll be much better suited to communicating with contractors and engineers and just have a better understanding of all the structural pieces of a building. We can take that experience and that confidence level and really apply it to a future role anywhere.”

Where Architecture Means Rolling Up Your Sleeves

Studio 804 is more than a design build experience. It is a deep dive into the labor, skill and teamwork it takes to turn a design into something tangible. Students take part in every stage of construction, from pouring concrete and hanging drywall to installing insulation and working on the roof. They learn what each part of the process requires and how every trade brings its own set of challenges and expertise.

“It makes you respect and appreciate the trades a lot more. We do all the drywall, we do all the concrete work, we hang all the sheathing, we work on the roof, we do every single part of the process throughout the school year. You also learn the difficulties that come with every single specific trade. It really enhances your appreciation for the people that are doing that on the daily.”

Alex Meyer, 2025 Studio 804 Program Alumni

This kind of hands-on learning builds more than technical knowledge. It shapes the way students think about design, materials and the people behind the work. With every hour on site, they gain a clearer understanding of how much care and skill go into the finished product. 

Experiential Learning that Lays the Foundation for Your Future 

Studio 804 is hard work. It demands long hours, constant communication and creative problem-solving. But it also builds lifelong skills, confidence and a sense of pride that comes from knowing your work made a real difference.

Students finish the program with more than just experience. They leave with a deep understanding of what it means to design with purpose and build with care. They also carry forward a connection to the Lawrence community and to each other.

“We’re here six days a week, and we’re here for very long hours, but the hard work is very rewarding. I have found a lot of pride in being able to see our project actually come to life. We can walk away every day and see changes on the site and changes in the building and just see it all progressing. It’s incredible to know that it’s something that all of us will be able to see finished over this nine-month span. It feels good to be confident in that and know that we’re doing it ourselves.” 

Madeline Bachelor, 2025 Studio 804 Program Alumni

If you are considering a future in architecture, KU’s program gives you the tools, support and real-world opportunities to grow. And if you are wondering whether KU is the right place to start your path, just ask the students who helped build a home this year. They might tell you that what they built went far beyond the walls of a house.

Interested in KU’s 5-year Master of Architecture program?

Learn more about Studio 804 and see how you can start building your future, one idea at a time.