In conjunction with the creation of the  Adelaide Cobb Ward Sculpture Hall, BNIM was commissioned to design and oversee the renovations to Kirkwood Hall, the ceremonial heart of the original Nelson-Atkins Building. The Hall, affectionately dubbed "the spine," is the main connective artery between the original building and the new  Bloch Building addition.

The project included renovations of Kirkwood Hall, the North and South Entrance Halls and the Entry Vestibules. These renovations included: the restoration of decorative plaster coves; the construction of new plaster beams (integrating life safety systems and light track locations for art and event lighting); the decorative painting of the new plaster beams to match the original ceiling design; the restoration of all existing historical light fixtures; the installation of new lighting fixtures designed to illuminate the coves of Kirkwood Hall; and the specification of new glazing for Kirkwood Hall's saw-tooth skylights, as well as the laylite ceiling.