Stories through stone

A new sculpture at Kansas State University tells the school's story through stone, and a visiting professor worked closely with College of Architecture, Planning & Design students to conceptualize, create and install the new campus piece.

This spring, Dan Snow — a master stone craftsman and Ekdahl Visiting Professor in the college — brought his expertise in landscape architecture to campus through APDesign's residency program, engaging students through classes, lectures and hands-on workshops.

The residency has led to the design and installation of a permanent stone sculpture on campus — an enduring work that reflects the intersection of craft, landscape and community, said Huston Gibson, head of the Department of Landscape Architecture and Regional & Community Planning.

"This is a rare and meaningful opportunity for our students to engage directly with a master of craft whose work embodies the connection between landscape, material and human experience," Gibson said. "Dan's approach challenges students to think through making — to understand design not as an abstract exercise, but as something grounded in the physical world, shaped by gravity, time and touch. The installation will leave a lasting impact on our campus and on the way our students approach design."

Prairie Trillium is the story of K‑State through stone

The installation, titled "Prairie Trillium," takes from the form and appearance of the woodland plant, with a low, grounded structure and a central "bloom" that creates a focal point and grounded gathering space.

Conceptually, "Prairie Trillium" reflects a three-part structure that connects to the university's broader history and identity, including its origins in Bluemont Central College and the evolution into multiple campuses across the state.

That idea is expressed physically in the piece composition, where a central stone represents Bluemont as the origin, and three larger surrounding stones represent each of K-State's campuses today.

History also carries forward in the sculpture's material: stone from Bluemont was relocated to the Marlatt Homestead site and reused to construct the existing barn, embedding that early foundation into the landscape. Prairie Trillium builds on that same idea, using stone to carry memory forward and connect the past and present through place and construction.

Supporting the installation effort, Nick Stone, a fifth-year landscape architecture student, served as the sculpture installation coordinator, guiding the project's execution and facilitating collaboration among visiting artists, students and faculty. His role ensured the successful completion of the work while reinforcing the residency's educational and community-focused goals.

This sculpture effort brought together key partners, including:

• K-State Facilities for site logistics, fencing and coordination.
• Taussig Landscape for equipment, materials and on-site support.
• S. Stone Industries for stone supply and delivery.
• Bayer Construction for base materials.
• The Ekdahl family, whose support made Snow's visit, lecture and workshop possible.

The resulting stone sculpture will serve not only as a physical landmark on campus, but also as a pedagogical artifact — demonstrating the value of craft, material awareness and place-based design.

Dan Snow is master craftsman, landscape architect and maker

Snow, based in Vermont, brings more than four decades of experience redefining the relationship between people, place and material. His practice centers on dry-stone construction — one of the world's oldest building traditions — yet his work resonates with a distinctly contemporary sensibility.

Trained at the Pratt Institute and shaped by early experiences assisting sculptors in New York, Snow's work spans functional stone elements such as walls, bridges and seating, as well as immersive environmental installations that invite reflection and engagement.

At the core of Snow's approach is immediacy: each stone is selected, placed and balanced by hand, collapsing the distance between design and construction. This philosophy positions making as a form of thinking, where material intelligence and physical engagement guide the creative process.

His published works — including "In the Company of Stone," "Listening to Stone," and "The Solitary Stoneworker" — have influenced a generation of designers and makers who see craft as an evolving and essential component of contemporary practice.

Ekdahl Visiting Professorship lets students learn from leading design experts

The Ekdahl Visiting Professorship, a cornerstone of APDesign's public programming, brings leading voices in design and the built environment to K‑State. The professorship and accompanying lecture series honor Oscar S. Ekdahl, a 1933 K‑State alumnus who was passionate for design innovation.

This year's residency underscores the college's commitment to bridging tradition and innovation, emphasizing the role of making in shaping meaningful human environments.

Throughout his residency, Snow is working closely with students and faculty in the Department of Landscape Architecture and Regional & Community Planning, integrating hands-on workshops, lectures and collaborative construction processes.

Snow presented a public lecture in March titled "Hand-Built Stonework: An Ancient Culture of Immediate Creation," exploring the enduring relevance of working directly with natural materials in an increasingly digital age.

Through this residency and installation, APDesign continues to advance its mission of fostering design excellence grounded in community, material intelligence, and the transformative power of craft.