Coffman Commons Patio

In January 2024, K-State partnered with planning professionals to begin shaping a new Campus Master Plan that aligns with the Next-Gen Strategic Plan. Early ideas were shared with the campus community, inviting students, faculty, and staff to offer feedback and help refine the vision. The response was enthusiastic, especially from students eager to play a role in shaping the campus's future.

To build on that energy, President Linton announced a funded opportunity for student involvement: a Student Governing Association (SGA) proposal competition focused on creating a new or improved outdoor space. The selected proposal would receive $250,000 from the President’s Office and move forward through the Facilities Campus Planning and Project Management process.

A Student's Vision

The winning proposal, "K-State Study Gardens," was submitted by Katie Chandler, a fifth-year architecture student at K-State. She is pursuing a Master of Architecture degree, with minors in Regional and Community Planning and Wellbeing, and will graduate in spring 2026.

Her vision brings campus to life through a series of thoughtfully designed garden spaces that invite students to study, connect, relax and recharge. By creating welcoming outdoor spaces where people can spend time, the design encourages both social interaction and quiet reflection, fostering a strong sense of community and overall well-being.

From the Quad to Coffmann Commons

Although the original proposal was based in the Quad, analysis of underutilized outdoor spaces near proposed Campus Master Plan projects led Chandler and the professional design consultants to pivot their focus to Coffman Commons, the green space south of Hale Library. This location was intentionally selected for its close proximity to key academic support services and the coffee shop in Hale. It’s also along the campus tour route, making it a vibrant and visible gathering spot for both students and visitors.

Chandler understood from the start that the K-State Study Gardens would be an interconnected series of outdoor spaces, constructed in phases. Accordingly, she and the design consultants developed a conceptual master plan for Coffman Commons, comprising complementary spaces to be implemented over time. Phase 1, to be built this summer, is the Coffman Commons Patio, a garden-like gathering space immediately outside the Sunflower Entrance to Hale.

Below is a conceptual rendering of the Coffman Commons Patio, a view southwest upon exiting the Sunflower Entrance to Hale.

The patio will be a welcoming, accessible space designed with comfort and convenience in mind. It will include a mix of seating options and tables, Wi-Fi, lighting, and easy access to power, surrounded by lush plantings and cooled by dappled shade during the warmer months.

Project Timeline

The Coffman Commons Patio concept and construction timeline are listed below.

Project Communications

• A study garden to love full well, May 15, 2026
• Student-designed patio to be installed outside of Hale Library, May 8, 2026