Keith Van de Riet

Keith Van de Riet is an assistant professor in the School of Architecture and Design. His current work involves the interdisciplinary design, development, and testing of high-performance, passive architectural and landscape systems. These systems capitalize on natural bioclimatic factors, amplifying the beneficial returns of passive systems without the need for operational energy input. Van de Riet will lead KU’s design-build studio to explore biodiverse built environments with a project on KU’s campus. In partnership with The Commons, the project will be located in Weaver Gardens—an underutilized public space adjacent to Spooner Hall. One of Van de Riet’s goals is to encourage the newer generation of designers to take on the ethical responsibility of environmental and civil stewardship through the integration of ecological, social, and natural contexts. Third-year architecture students enrolled in the design-build studio will be introduced to the complex and challenging world of construction through Van de Riet’s research.