The University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (CAFE) recently celebrated the reopening of historic Scovell Hall with a ribbon-cutting ceremony following the comprehensive renovation of the campus landmark.
Flad provided architectural programming and design and collaborated with architect-of-record JRA Architects on interior design for the modernized 92,000-square-foot facility, which was originally constructed in 1903. As the CAFE has experienced considerable growth in recent years, the renovation of Scovell Hall addresses the need for new space for several of the college’s departments.
Scovell Hall now serves as the administrative home for the CAFE and establishes an innovative identity for programs focused on nutrition, environmental science, retailing, and tourism. Dedicated to the pursuit of foundational knowledge about food systems and their impact on health outcomes, the facility supports instruction and research that prepares students for careers in dietetics, nutritional sciences, and a wide variety of health-related fields.
The design features a tall trellis canopy that shades a broad entry porch along the north glass façade, welcoming those who arrive from the academic core of campus as well as the student residences. The north and west entrances are preserved from the original colonial-style brick structure and incorporated into the new design, reflecting the legacy of foundational structures on campus.
A 4,000-square-foot, restaurant-grade teaching kitchen and dining space for instruction and outreach opens into the lobby and is supported by multipurpose seating along the exterior glazing. An open stair connects to the second floor's flexible, active learning classrooms and student space, as well as the Dean's suite. Faculty offices occupy the upper two floors and share an atrium that fosters connectivity with the student spaces below.
Also on the University of Kentucky campus, Flad provided architectural design, lab programming, and planning for the CAFE Agricultural Research Building, which will serve as the college’s central research hub. It is scheduled to open in December 2026.
View highlights from the event 
University of Kentucky Scovell Hall Facilities Renewal and Modernization
August 12, 2026