The 63,000-square-foot (5,900 m2) John S. and James L. Knight Building was designed by the Viennese architectural firm Coop Himmelb(l)au following an international competition. The firm was chosen in part for its adaptive use of historic buildings, and the Knight Building is the firm’s first project in the Americas.[5] Ground breaking for the new building was held on May 22, 2004.