K-State architecture professor’s magnetic idea receives national grant
Building a legacy, for most, is just a figure of speech. But Brian Lee, associate professor of architecture means it literally.
Now, after earning a grant from the American Institute of Steel Construction’s Education Foundation, Lee is ready to grab the power tools, put in some elbow grease and work alongside students to shape new steel structures to support the K-State community.
The grants, awarded to four projects nationwide, provides universities around the country the rare opportunity to work with steel in real-life projects. Lee’s designs, two small structural steel pavilions on K-State’s campus, each received a $10,000 grant and are set to be completed in 2026 and 2027.
“Design-build studios are taught in many architecture schools, but they focus on wood construction and the logistics are difficult,” said AISC Architecture Education Manager Jeanne Homer. “Going through the whole process gives unique insight into how materials behave in the real world.”
Lee is no stranger to the world of fabrication. His research focuses heavily on teaching introductory fabrication exercises, with his main classes being design studios and fabrication-based seminars.
Aiming to bring unique experiences to the classroom, Lee will utilize the grant to help students explore the no-waste process of designing and cutting steel sheets. All students involved will get hands-on experience learning to design and construct with steel by collaborating with fabricators, engineers and campus leaders.
Written By: Abbigail Marshall
Curated from: https://www.aisc.org/modernsteel/news/2025/march/architecture-students-get-hands-on-design-build-experience/
