Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
A transformational performing arts center for the Kansas City Arts community is among the most significant cultural facilities in the Midwest
Information
- Location Kansas City, Missouri
- Size 438,562 SF
- Completion 2011
- Project Type Performing Arts
The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts is counted among the finest performing arts venues in the world because of its superior acoustics, complex geometry and momentous spaces of exquisite design, detailing, and construction. This facility was designed to produce near perfect acoustics, promising an exceptional experience for performers and audiences alike. The new center provides two world-class performance halls for the resident organizations of the Kansas City Ballet, the Lyric Opera and the Kansas City Symphony, and contains an 1,800-seat proscenium theater and a 1,600-seat concert hall. Designed by Moshe Safdie and Associates, in collaboration with renowned acoustician Yasuhisa Toyota and BNIM as joint architect of record.
Impact + Innovation
The new Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts is one of the most significant cultural facilities in the Midwest and has had a transformative effect on Kansas City’s urban core, economy and thriving arts community. Not only does the new structure and venue contribute to the livability of the downtown area and add to the redevelopment efforts of the urban core but it also opens a vital corridor between the heart of the city and the heart of the adjacent Crossroads Arts District. Using 3D Building Information Modeling (BIM), BNIM and the contractor, JE Dunn, pioneered the use of this software for project delivery by digitally reviewing the project throughout construction. The contractor “virtually” constructed the project to identify any interference between trades and to eliminate costly field issues during construction. This delivery method is more efficient, accurate and sustainable than traditional approaches.
Process
For this extremely complex project, each team contributor provided a specialized scope of work within a highly collaborative design process. BNIM served as executive Local Architect to Design Architect Moshe Safdie and Associates, collaborating together on Design Development, Design Documentation and Construction Administration. The team’s collaborative design process included having BNIM team members working in Moshe Safdie’s Boston-based office during Design Development. The design team worked closely with the project’s Construction Manager and specialized consultant team to creatively address a number of key challenges related to maintaining budget and project schedule.
People
Team
- Casey Cassias
- John Collier
- Greg Sheldon
- Laura Lesniewski
- Steve McDowell
- Hans Nettelblad
- Sarah Hirsch
- Matthew Porreca
- Jennifer DeWitt
- Amy Slattery
- Meghan Newbold
- Gary Jarvis
- Christina Assmann
- Spencer Davison
- Richard Cowger
- Tobias Hathorn
- Daniel Mortelli
- Brad Clark
- Matthew Nugent
- Brad Satterwhite
- Dale Duncan
- Tessa Reist
- Edward Krygiel
- Julie Miller
- Samuel Avery
- Erin Gehle
- Lindsay Downey
- Devan Case
- Stefania Vigarani
- Jean Dodd
- Erik Heitman
- Thomas Greving
- Brian McKinney
Collaborators
Safdie Architects
Awards
Structural Engineers Association of San Diego (SEAOSD)
IDEAS2 (Innovative Design in Engineering & Architecture with Structural Steel) Award – Grand Prize
2013
Structural Engineers Association of San Diego (SEAOSD)
Presidential Award of Excellence in Engineering and Architecture
2012
Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI)
Harry H. Edwards Industry Advancement Award
2012
Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI)
Best Theatre
2012
Kansas City Business Journal
Capstone Award, Special Judges Recognition
2012
Architectural Lighting Magazine
Architectural Lighting Design Awards – Outstanding Achievement, Whole Building
2012
