KC11 Studio
Ideas developed in a summer 2008 studio by K-State landscape
architecture students for the on-going development of greater downtown Kansas City, Missouri,
are now on display to the public.
Located in Kirk Hall of the Downtown Kansas City Library, 14 West Tenth Street,
the exhibit will run through September 28, 2008. It is open to the public
during normal library hours.
Named KC11 because of 11 distinct neighborhoods in the greater downtown Kansas City area, the studio brought together 19 landscape architecture graduate students with community leaders from those neighborhoods and the City of Kansas City’s planning consulting team (COR Team). Taking an approach that is Creative, Observant and Responsive, the COR Team is comprised of members from a number of local architecture, design, engineering, consulting and planning firms. The goal of this planning effort is to benefit from the rapid economic development taking place in parts of downtown Kansas City and utilize the momentum generated by that growth while also protecting Kansas City’s history and character.
Students in the eight-week summer studio participated in initial public meetings, met with planning and design consultants, and explored possibilities for downtown Kansas City’s future. The opportunity to participate in this significant planning effort created a unique learning experience for the studio participants.
Walking the neighborhoods, talking with residents and mapping the area led to 19 design responses displayed in the exhibit. The proposals address the three major issues identified by the students-connection, infrastructure and identity.
The student projects on display envision a future where downtown residents and visitors can walk and bicycle between neighborhoods and destinations; stormwater is an asset, not a nuisance; light rail is a catalyst for new housing and businesses; brownfields (abandoned or under-used industrial and commercial facilities) become new neighborhoods; existing neighborhoods are strengthened and improved; green space connects places and provides new recreation and education destinations; and downtown Kansas City is a leader in sustainable urban design.
The proposals are intended to encourage discussion as the Greater Downtown Area plan develops over the next year.
The 11 neighborhoods include Harlem, the River Market, Columbus Park, West Bottoms, Downtown Loop, Paseo West, Westside, Crossroads, 18th and Vine, Beacon Hill/Long Fellow and Crown Center/Union Hill.
Student participants in the project are Jesse Benedick, Megan Bryan, Jon Champlin, Ryan Debold, Ryan Dietrich, Andrew Glenski, Steven Holt, Nick Johnson, Kris Kleinschmidt, Aaron Mitchell, Christie Murman, Wendy Wert, Amanda White, Chris Enroth, Wes Essmiller, Emily Hoffmann, Kim Moss, Andy Schaap and Mike Weber. The studio was directed by Professors Blake Belanger and Stephanie Rolley.
Support for the KC11 studio was provided by the Kansas City Planning and Development Department, the COR Team, BNIM, KC Consulting, Taliaferro & Browne Inc., el dorado, HDR, Etc. Institute, Architectural & Historical Research LLC, the Kansas City Design Center, and the Department of Landscape Architecture/Regional and Community Planning and the College of Architecture, Planning and Design, Kansas State University.
For more information, contact:
Blake Belanger, 785.532.1096
Stephanie Rolley, 785.532.2444