Awards of Excellence:

Dyche Hall

In 2017, the University of Kansas began extensive preservation work on Dyche Hall (also known as the Natural History Museum). Dyche Hall was designed by the architecture firm Siemen & Roots and completed in 1902.

Upon commencement of the preservation work in 2017 on Dyche Hall, it was discovered that the eight unique grotesque statues that adorn the building were all in a state of serious deterioration and preservation of them would be impossible. It was determined that another course of action would have to be taken. Originally carved from Cottonwood limestone (quarried from Cottonwood Falls, KS), the grotesques were created by Joseph Roblado Frazee and his son Vitruvius. Dyche Hall was originally adorned with four grotesques on three of the facades (twelve in total), but the 1963 addition to the north elevation of Dyche Hall required the removal of four of the grotesques. Of these four removed, three are stored inside Dyche Hall and one was lost or stolen at that time. The grotesques, along with other carvings on the building, depict various animals and thematic content emblematic of the natural world and our relationship with it. In this regard, the statues celebrate the building as a cathedral of nature and symbolize stewardship of the planet.

It was determined that replications would be carved of the eight grotesques that remained on the outside of Dyche Hall. Our team submitted a proposal that included planned photogrammetry scans of the eight exterior grotesques and 3D digital models to be created from the photogrammetry scans using McNeel and Associates Rhinoceros (“Rhino”) 3D NURBS modeling software, as well as digital corrections to be made to these 3D models. Quarter-sized 3D models were printed of PLA plastic and were used by the stone carvers to make the maquettes. Upon approval by the University of Kansas of the maquettes, stone carvers Karl and Laura Ramberg began the replicated stone carving work.

Karl began by “roughing out” each of the grotesques in a small work area in front of Dyche Hall. The grotesque was then transferred to Laura’s studio and finished there. After all eight were completed, they were on display in the Panorama Gallery of Dyche Hall for about a year before being installed on the outside of the building. On the back of each grotesque, the year of completion and “Ramberg” is carved.