Category Archives: KC Global Design
Fueled By Success, Kansas City Streetcar Extends Its Reach | Engineering News Record
BRR Architecture Crafts Biophilic Hotel Experience
Innovation Shop Talk: Designing Spaces for Human Connection
KC Global Design’s latest Innovation Shop Talk brought together leaders across workplace strategy, real estate and design to explore how the next era of the built environment will be defined — not by square footage or capacity, but by connection.
As organizations navigate new expectations around culture and employee experience, one message is clear: spaces that foster belonging create lasting value.
Key Takeaways
Designing for Belonging
Traditional markers for real estate success no longer reflect what employees need most. Instead, intentional design that prioritizes comfort, inclusion and a sense of welcome is reshaping how companies think about their spaces.
A hospitality approach — conversation-friendly spaces, amenities that bond and details that encourage people to engage — helps employees feel rooted and supported.
Connection as a Cultural Strategy
Connection is not a byproduct of culture; it’s a strategic decision. People may choose a job for opportunity, but they stay when they feel they belong.
Surveys show employees feel most connected to their organization’s culture while in the office, emphasizing the role of physical space in talent retention. Elements like food, coffee, art, music and natural light aren’t luxuries; they’re catalysts for everyday changes that build culture.
Measuring the Emotional Experience
The emotional side of the workplace is no longer just an abstract moving target. Organizations are leaning into surveys and engagement data to identify where connection naturally occurs, then intentionally enhancing those moments through thoughtful design.
Flexible Spaces for a Multi-Generational Workforce
With five generations now sharing the workplace, flexibility is essential. Successful environments offer a spectrum of options: places for deep focus, areas for collaboration and informal settings for conversation. Designing for this range ensures that every employee can find a space that suits their work style, fostering comfort and independence.
Looking Ahead
The future of workplace design is rooted in one belief: life runs on the rails of relationships. When organizations invest in spaces that make connection easy and authentic, they strengthen not only productivity but community, well-being and long-term retention.
As companies continue adapting their spaces, the commitment to thoughtful, people-first design will shape workplaces that inspire, support and keep talent rooted in Kansas City.
We’re grateful to JE Dunn for hosting this event in their brand new space designed by Helix Architecture + Design. And thank you to our moderator Sarah Brengarth (Gensler) and our panelists Chris Harren (Country Club Plaza), Tom Herzog (Netsmart) and Sara Greenwood (Greenwood Consulting).
KC Global Design: Elevating A/E/C Thought Leadership
This session is part of a series that brings together thought leadership to stimulate innovative design thinking across KC’s design + construction industry and the broader business community.
FWD 2025 | Momentum in Motion
What a night! FWD 2025 brought our A/E/C community together in a spectacular space — the perfect backdrop for our biggest celebration yet! We raised a glass to the work that’s shaping our region and making an impact across the globe.
Here’s to the people and ideas powering the future of KC’s design + construction industry!
Business Development Boot Camp
Program Overview
This eight-month program focuses on the soft skills A/E/C professionals need to build long-lasting client relationships and take their careers to the next level. Through interactive workshops and expert-led sessions, participants develop critical skills including communication, presentation skills, emotional intelligence and problem-solving, all while connecting and building their networks.
Who Should Apply
The program is geared toward people with a wide range of experience, which is intentional by design – giving an opportunity for reverse mentoring and a chance to foster meaningful connections + relationships with professionals representing diverse backgrounds across the industry. Several hold a business development role, while others are seller-doers. The content is given in a way that’s relevant to both audiences.
In an effort to keep a broad mix across the cohort, KCGD’s BD Boot Camp is currently limited to one participant per company.
Time Commitment
The 2026 program will run from January to August with six to eight sessions that are three hours and opportunities to connect in between. The time of day varies, but it will either be first thing (8:30-11:30 a.m.) or the end of the day (1:30-4:30 p.m.) – with a networking happy hour to follow some of the afternoon sessions. Full participation is expected if accepted into the program.
Applications for the 2027 program will open in the fall of 2026.
For questions about the BD Boot Camp or other KC Global Design programming, contact us.
Designing the Future: Why A/E/C Talent Thrives in Kansas City
When people think of Kansas City, they might picture fountains, world-class barbecue or our passionate sports culture. But within the professional world of architecture, engineering and construction (A/E/C), Kansas City is known for something else: an unmatched depth of design talent and a legacy that shapes skylines around the globe.
Kansas City is home to more than 80,000 professionals in the A/E/C sector. It’s the fifth-most concentrated market for architecture and engineering jobs in the U.S. — 68% greater concentration than the national average. But numbers only tell part of the story.
As managing director of KC Global Design, the design and construction-focused initiative of the Kansas City Area Development Council (KCADC), I see firsthand the work that makes our region a global force in the built environment — and the powerful regional collaboration that continues to attract top talent.
Growing Talent at Every Level
Building a strong, sustainable workforce requires a steady pipeline of talent. KC Global Design, along with its partners and firms across the region, supports that pipeline through talent development at every career stage — from entry-level to executive.
Building the Talent Pipeline | Educators Tour
Educators are often among the earliest and most influential guides for emerging talent, making it critical to show them why Kansas City should be top of mind for their students’ careers.
In June 2025, we launched the KC Global Design Educators Tour — a three-day immersive experience for faculty from top architecture, engineering and construction management programs. Participants toured project sites, engaged with leading KC firms and met the people driving the region’s world-class work.
Growing the Industry While Retaining KC’s Best and Brightest | BD Boot Camp
KC Global Design’s Business Development Boot Camp equips professionals with the tools and resources to drive new opportunities and fuel the growth of Kansas City’s design + construction industry.
And a strong talent pipeline doesn’t stop at attraction; it’s also about retention. In an industry where career growth often means relocation, Kansas City offers A/E/C professionals a reason to stay and grow.
Through sessions on emotional intelligence, storytelling, strategic thinking and more, participants gain the skills and confidence to lead — and to build long-term careers right here in KC.
Collaborating for Collective Impact
Kansas City is home to more than 1,200 architecture, engineering and construction firms. And while competition is natural, collaboration remains KC’s defining strength because when the region thrives, we all thrive.
Harnessing Unique KC Moments
When Kansas City hosted the 2023 NFL Draft, our firms saw an opportunity to tap into the energy together. In partnership with Burns & McDonnell, BNIM, HNTB and JE Dunn, KC Global Design created The KC Design Draft, a video that cleverly illustrated how KC’s A/E/C firms “draft” top talent.
The campaign reached thousands of students at top design schools across the Midwest, positioning Kansas City as a premier destination to launch a career. It also earned finalist recognition in City Nation Place’s Global Awards for Best Communication Strategy | Economic Development.
Partnering with the Region’s Talent Experts
KC Global Design is proud to collaborate with TeamKC, KCADC’s talent attraction and retention initiative, to connect top talent with opportunity and inspire early career professionals to build their futures in Kansas City.
Each summer, TeamKC engages more than 1,000 interns across the region, many employed at KC Global Design investor firms. Through peer networking events, “KC 101” presentations and more, interns gain a deeper connection to the region — making them more likely to return after graduation.
Timed with TeamKC’s intern season programming, KC Global Design’s annual Share the KC Love event brings together 100+ interns from leading design and construction firms. Interns have candid conversations with young professionals who’ve launched their careers in KC — offering an authentic, inspiring look at what’s possible here.
Why Kansas City?
KC isn’t just a great place to launch a career — here, A/E/C professionals find a rare combination of long-term opportunity, community and quality of life.
Career Flexibility
Kansas City’s diverse design landscape, from boutique studios to globally-recognized powerhouses, offers room to grow and tackle new challenges as career paths evolve alongside changing interests and goals.
Life Beyond Word
KC’s affordable cost of living means you can enjoy a comfortable lifestyle without compromise. A vibrant arts scene, numerous recreational options, strong connectivity and a welcoming community create a quality of life that makes Kansas City more than just a place to work — it’s a place to truly live.
Take it from civil engineer Godfrey Echekwu, who landed his life and career in Kansas City after a successful internship at KC Global Design firm, Turner Construction.
Why Kansas City?
If you’re looking to grow your career or invest in the next generation, there’s no better place than Kansas City. And no better time than now.
Explore your next opportunity in the region on our LinkedIn job board, featuring hundreds of openings at architecture, engineering and construction firms across the region.
Want to join the community and get engaged? Connect with us today to help shape the future of A/E/C talent in Kansas City.
KC Global Design Welcomes Educators to Experience the Power of Design in KC
Kansas City is where big ideas take shape — and in June 2025, 13 influential educators from architecture, engineering and construction management programs across the U.S. came to see why it’s also where careers take off.
As part of the inaugural KC Global Design Educators Tour, faculty from top institutions spent three days immersed in the people, projects and places that make Kansas City a magnet for design and construction talent.
Home to more than 1,200 professionals across 80+ firms, Kansas City stands out not only as one of the largest hubs of design talent in the U.S., but also for its unmatched culture of collaboration, innovation and community impact.
With behind-the-scenes visits and conversations with the teams designing major projects — from iconic stadiums to sustainable infrastructure — the tour gave helped these academic leaders see why Kansas City should be on every graduate’s radar as a place to build a career and a life.
Want to introduce your students or network to what Kansas City has to offer? Get in touch with our KC Global Design team to learn how we’re opening doors for the next generation of A/E/C professionals.
The 2025 Educators Cohort
We were proud to host this dynamic group of educators, each bringing a unique perspective on the future of design and construction:
- Jae Chang | University of Kansas
- Casey Franklin | University of Kansas
- Kalindi Garvin | University of Iowa
- Huston Gibson, Ph.D. | Kansas State University
- Lauren Harness, AIAA | Kansas City Design Center
- Sheniqia Haynes, MPA | University of Oklahoma
- Joe Levens, CPC, CM-Lean | Pittsburg State University
- Greg Luhan, Ph.D., FAIA | Texas A&M
- Rachel Mosier | Oklahoma State University
- Emmanuel Nzewi, Ph.D., PE, M.ASCE | Prairie View A&M University
- Ryan Scavnicky | Marywood University
- Charles E. Sprouse III, Ph.D. | Benedictine College
- Nathaniel Zorach, AICP, MBA | Michigan State University
Their energy, curiosity and commitment to growing the next generation of professionals reflect the momentum we’re building here in Kansas City.
Catch the Highlights
Collaboration in Action
A tour of this caliber comes to life thanks to a powerful network of industry partners who share our vision. We’re grateful for the generosity and hospitality of the companies who made this experience possible.
Event Sponsors
Site Hosts + Speakers
- BNIM
- Dimensional Innovations
- DLR Group
- Generator Studio
- HNTB
- Superior Bowen
- Turner Construction
- Zahner
Task Force
- Jay Currie Campbell | Multistudio
- Erin Elder | Turner Construction
- Caleb Flake | Professional Engineering Consultants
- Jay Guerra | Gibbens Drake Scott, Inc.
- Gretchen Holy | DLR Group
- Maria Maffry | BNIM
- Julie Pierce | Henderson Engineers
- Chris Price | HNTB
Your support showcases the strength of KC’s design and construction community and helps elevate Kansas City’s position on the global stage.
Innovation Shop Talk: West Bottoms Redevelopment
How can designers transform historic spaces for modern use while preserving their unique character and legacy?
KC Global Design’s latest Innovation Shop Talk gathered industry leaders in the heart of Kansas City’s historic industrial West Bottoms neighborhood to discuss how adaptive reuse — the process of repurposing existing buildings or structures for a use other than their original intended purpose — is shaping the area’s future urban development.
Key Takeaways
A “Place Making Keeping” Approach
Respecting and upholding the district’s unique elements rather than overhauling them is guiding successful development. Thoughtful design choices ensure that historic buildings retain their character while supporting modern needs in regards to sustainability, community and more.
Creative Communities as Catalysts
The West Bottoms has faced misconceptions as a ghost town but is actually home to a thriving maker and business community, with some establishments dating back more than 100 years.
Similar to the Crossroads Arts District transformation throughout the 90’s and early 2000’s, design that both respects and incorporates this artistic heritage is propelling the West Bottoms’ new era of development.
A New Approach to Amenities
West Bottoms developers are cognizant that the design experience extends beyond the doors of new or reinvigorated living spaces — the neighborhood itself plays a huge part. Drawn to its unique mix of history and opportunity, business — including food and bev tenants — are showing growing interest in the area.
Rather than traditional coffee bars, fitness centers and common spaces offered in modern apartment complexes, the neighborhood’s street level vibrancy, public spaces and local spots are the true amenity for future residents.
Infrastructure and Connectivity Challenges
Modernizing utilities, stormwater management and pedestrian access while preserving historic integrity is a complex challenge that requires a deep understanding of the neighborhood’s interconnected systems.
With a focus on wayfinding and bike connectivity, the development aims to create a modern, accessible neighborhood that seamlessly blends the past and future.
Looking Ahead
Successful redevelopment of the West Bottoms means creating an inclusive, vibrant district that integrates improved walkability, mixed-use spaces and a strong sense of community. Both large-scale catalyst developments and smaller, thoughtful interventions are underway, maintaining the neighborhood’s authenticity while paving the way for modern design.
As the district continues to evolve, the commitment to adaptive reuse and intentional development will shape its future as a model for urban revitalization throughout the KC region and beyond.
KC Global Design: Elevating A/E/C Thought Leadership
KCGD’s Innovation Shop Talk series continues to foster innovation by uniting thought leaders in sustainability, helping position Kansas City as a leader in sustainable design. As the industry progresses, these conversations are driving the city’s A/E/C firms to the forefront of global environmental efforts while boosting economic viability.
5 Ways KC is the MVP of Sports Architecture
Kansas City’s is the unparalleled capital of the world for sports architecture, with some of the biggest names in the industry.
- Nearly half of sports architecture around the world originates in the KC region.
- KC firms were key to the design of 27 of the 30 NFL Stadiums.
- Nearly every Super Bowl stadium still in use by the NFL was designed, engineered or renovated by KC firms – including those used in 19 of the last 21 Super Bowls.
- Kansas City created the gold standard for Olympic stadiums.
- KC firms have been key to the design of 13 of the 16 FIFA World Cup 26™ stadiums, including 10 of 11 across the U.S., with capacity for more than 850,000 fans combined.
But KC’s design story is even bigger than sports. Check out 14 Reasons Kansas City is a Top Design City.