Chad R. Kraus
School of Architecture & Design - ArchitectureRoom 211
Chad Kraus is an Associate Professor of Architecture at the University of Kansas and a licensed architect. He teaches architectural theory, architectural design studio, and the award-winning designbuild Dirt Works Studio. His scholarship concentrates on designbuild pedagogy and material research. He is the editor of the book Designbuild Education (Routledge 2017) and an editor of the journal Technology | Architecture + Design (TAD). Prior to teaching, Professor Kraus worked for Pritzker-prize laureate Shigeru Ban and studied architectural history and theory under Alberto Perez-Gomez at McGill University.
Teaching
Chad Kraus teaches ARCH 508 Materials and Tectonics Studio; ARCH 509 Designbuild Studio [Dirt Works Studio]; ARCH 630 Theory of Architecture; ARCH 690/692 Architecture in Europe Study Abroad; as well as electives such as ARCH 622 Material Investigations.
Teaching Interests
- Architectural design
- Design build
- Earthen architecture
- Timber construction
- Sustainability
- Community engagement
- Architectural theory
- Phenomenology
- Tiny houses
Research
Chad Kraus' scholarship is focused on designbuild pedagogy and material research, with a focus on natural building materials.
Research Interests
- Design build
- Earthen architecture
- Phenomenology
Service
Chad Kraus serves on the Editorial Board of the journal Technology | Architecture + Design as well as several University and School Committees.
Selected Publications
Kraus, C. (2017). Designbuild Education, New York: Routledge.
Kraus, C. & Gore, N. (2016). Educating for an Embodied Culture of Building. In 104th Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture Annual Meeting 2016, Shaping New Knowledges.
Kraus, C. Hosid, C. & Davis, A. (2016). Iron-Stabilized Ferrimagnetic Rammed Earth. In Earth USA 2015 Proceedings (pp. 244-249). Santa Fe: Adobe in Action.
Kraus, C. (2016). The Mud Hut Rebirth, Part 1: A Once and Future Earthen Experiment. In Earth USA 2015 Proceeedings (pp. 110-115). Santa Fe: Adobe in Action.
Kraus, C. Hirmas, D. Roberts, J. Mileto, C. Vegas Lopez-Manzanares, F. García Soriano, L. & Cristini, V. (2014). Compressive Strength of Blood Stabilized Earthen Architecture. In , Earthen Architecture: Past, Present, and Future (pp. 217-220). London: CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group.
Kraus, C. Mileto, C. Vegas Lopez-Manzanares, F. García Soriano, L. & Cristini, V. (2014). Fitness of Earthen Architecture. In , Earthen Architecture: Past, Present and Future (pp. 209-215). London: CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group.
Kraus, C. Hirmas, D. Roberts, J. Jarrett, C. Kim, K. & Senske, N. (2013). Microbially Indurated Rammed Earth: A Long Awaited Next Phase in Earthen Architecture. In The Visibility of Research (Vol. 2013, pp. 58-65). Charlotte, North Carolina: University of North Carolina.
Kraus, C. & Hill, J. (2013). Roth Trailhead. https://www.world-architects.com/en/architecture-news/reviews/roth-trailhead
Kraus, C. Mileto, C. Vegas Lopez-Manzanares, F. & Cristini, V. (2012). From the Ground Up: Building the Dirt Works Studio. In , Rammed Earth Conservation (pp. 151-156). London: CRC Press / Balkema, Taylor & Francis Group.
Kraus, C. Mileto, C. Vegas Lopez-Manzanares, F. & Cristini, V. (2012). On Perceptions of Rammed Earth. In , Rammed Earth Conservation (pp. 157-162). London: CRC Press / Balkema, Taylor & Francis Group.
Sanguinetti, P. Kraus, C. Cheon, J. Hardy, S. & Hemsath, T. (2011). Thinking in Parametric Phenomenology. In Parametricism: SPC (pp. 39-48). Lincoln, Nebraska: Association for Computer Aided Design in Architecture.
Selected Work
Selected Presentations
Kraus, C. . (09/12/2014). Compressive Strength of Blood Stabilized Earthen Architecture. VerSus 2014 - International Conference on Vernacular Heritage, Sustainability, and Earthen Architecture. Valencia, Spain. Available Here
Kraus, C. . (09/12/2014). Fitness of Earthen Architecture. VerSus 2014 - International Conference on Vernacular Heritage, Sustainability, and Earthen Architecture. Valencia, Spain
Kraus, C. Swackhamer, M. & Stevens, J. . (06/28/2014). Digital Fabrication, Making, and Construction in the Academy: Lessons for Future Architectural Practice. American Institute of Architects (AIA) National Convention. Chicago, Illinois
Kraus, C. . (04/11/2014). Prairie Earth. Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture 102nd Annual Meeting. Miami Beach, Florida. Available Here
Kraus, C. . (03/27/2013 - 03/30/2013). Microbially Indurated Rammed Earth: A Long Awaited Next Phase In Earthen Architecture. The Visibility of Research. Charlotte, NC
Kraus, C. . (06/21/2012 - 06/23/2012). From the Ground Up: Building The Dirt Works Studio. ResTAPIA - International Conference on Rammed Earth Conservation. . Valencia, Spain
Kraus, C. . (06/21/2012 - 06/23/2012). On Perceptions of Rammed Earth. ResTAPIA - International Conference on Rammed Earth Conservation. . Valencia, Spain
Sanguinetti, P. & Kraus, C. . (03/11/2011 - 03/13/2011). Thinking In Parametric Phenomenology. Parametricism: SPC. Lincoln, NE
Selected Grants
Kraus, Chad, (Principal), Hirmas, Daniel, (Co-Principal), Roberts, Jennifer, (Co-Principal), Biostabilization of Rammed Earth For The Reduction of Waste And Co2 Emissions, SU835497, National Center for Environmental Research, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, $14,980, (09/01/2013 - 04/30/2014). Federal. Status: Funded.
Kraus, Chad, (Principal), MIRE: Biostabilization of Earthen Architecture, $11,997, - 04/30/2013). The primary goal of this research is to develop microbially indurated rammed earth (MIRE) using the soil microorganism, Sporosarcina pasteurii, to provide an economical and sustainable alternative to industrially stabilized rammed earth (SRE) and create a sustainable building practice that drastically reduces CO2 emissions, eliminates waste, sequesters existing atmospheric CO2, and recycles industrial byproducts. I anticipate that MIRE will have significant advantages over conventional methods of construction with respect to responsible environmental stewardship. University (KU or KUMC). Status: Funded.
Kraus, Chad, (Principal), Dirt Works Lab, University of Kansas, $8,000, - 05/31/2011). The NFGRF enabled me to travel and research some of the most innovative forces in earthen architecture in North America as well as set up the initial Dirt Works Lab to testing and building demonstrations of earthen construction.. University (KU or KUMC). Status: Funded.