Kent State University, School of Fashion

Aiming to bolster its sustainability-focused programming and support an ecosystem of inventive, socially responsible fashion thinkers, Kent State University tapped Gensler and DS Architecture to lead a transformational renovation of its growing School of Fashion. Programmed with classrooms, labs, faculty offices, and a library, the KSU School of Fashion’s technology-rich learning environment allows for diverse experimentation. This extends to support students’ interest pattern development with 3D knit machines, testing fabric flame spread, and spaces to enable potential multidisciplinary collaboration with architecture, science, and other departments across campus.

The renovated first floor houses the Beyond Fashion Ecosystem which offers an interconnected curriculum that exposes students to the full cycle of fashion design — from concept and fabrication to testing materials and merchandising goods — all within a single purpose-built space. A special niche adjacent to the teaching labs contains a scale system for sorting, collecting, and tracking the weight of cast-off materials, spurring conversations on fast fashion and industry sustainability.

The library, a gathering place for students to access special fashion publications, collaborate, and utilize computer resources, was elevated to a more central location on the second floor, increasing access to natural light. White and reflective finishes, including brushed aluminum paneling, maximize the light throughout the spaces and highlight the color and texture of the textiles and garments on display. With a focus on expanding learning beyond classrooms and into hands-on labs, Kent State University’s School of Fashion will continue its growth as a leader in fashion education.