Architects on a star-studded list are vying to design the new Kent State University architecture and environmental …

Kent State University is reaching for the stars to find a designer for a new building for its College of Architecture and Environmental Design.

Eight semi-finalists will soon be announced from a list of 36 teams from around the world that are vying for the $40 million job, said Douglas Steidl, dean of the design college.

The university will choose three to four finalist teams, which will then be paid a stipend to produce a preliminary design that will be vetted for cost, functionality, sustainability and aesthetics. A winner will be chosen by January.

He said the goal is to put KSU on the map with a distinguished piece of contemporary architecture.

Thats what were looking for, he said Tuesday.

Teams seeking the KSU assignment include a whos who of contemporary architecture. Among the world-famous firms on the list are: Eric Owen Moss Architects of Culver City, Calif.; Morphosis, of Los Angeles and New York; Farshid Moussavi Architects and Zaha Hadid Architects, both of London; Smith-Miller +Hawkinson Architects and Weiss/Mandfredi, both of New York.

Many Ohio firms are also seeking the KSU assignment, sometimes in the role of lead designer in partnership with a distinguished firm from outside the region, and sometimes in the role of partner to an outside firm in the lead spot.

Local and regional firms in the hunt include Richard L. Bowen Associates, Robert Masckhe Architects and Westlake Reed Leskosky, all of Cleveland; and Moody Nolan and NBBJ, both of Columbus.

Steidl said he thought the competitive process to choose the winning team will result in a building that has an image, that is sustainable and keeps us on track with what we preach to our students about quality and function and sustainable design and how a building contributes to a community.

The project will be financed through a $170 million bond issued by KSU earlier this year, which will also fund new construction and improvements to other academic buildings on campus.

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Architects on a star-studded list are vying to design the new Kent State University architecture and environmental ...