Category Archives: KC Global Design

Smarter A/E/C Workflows, Powered by AI

AI is no longer a future concept for the design + construction industry – it’s a present-day differentiator, reshaping workflows, decision-making and collaboration.

There are currently more than 90,000 AI platforms globally, and the pace of development is unlike anything seen before. But despite the noise, the core principle is simple: AI is only as effective as the data behind it — making strong data management a critical foundation, guided by human insight, for any firm looking to use these tools effectively.

Across the industry, KC firms are beginning to use AI both as an efficiency tool and a thought partner. That means offloading repetitive, non-billable tasks like filing timesheets or formatting specs, while also using AI to explore ideas and identify risk earlier. The goal isn’t replacement; it’s enhancement. Teams that embrace a “human-in-the-loop” approach are finding ways to streamline processes without losing critical oversight.

One emerging concept is the rise of personal AI agents. Instead of a single tool, firms can build networks of agents that communicate with each other and function almost like a digital workforce. This means smoother information handoffs between design teams, engineers and contractors — further strengthening the collaborative approach that defines KC’s A/E/C industry while reducing delays and improving accuracy. 

There are also broader opportunities for the KC region. AI-driven infrastructure, including data centers, is opening the door to new forms of economic development. Concepts like heat-sharing, where excess heat from data centers is reused for adjacent developments such as vertical farming, highlight how sustainability and innovation can align.

For A/E/C leaders, the path forward isn’t about chasing every new tool. It’s about starting where you are, within existing platforms, and thoughtfully rethinking workflows. The firms that do this well won’t just work faster; they’ll work smarter, collaborate better and position themselves to win more projects.

Thank you to our partners, David Johnson, Jeff Danley, Josh Greenfield, Aaron Mendonca and Drew Peterson for sharing their insights on AI in the design + construction industry at our April 2026 Innovation Shop Talk.

To keep up with KC’s design + construction industry, follow KC Global Design on LinkedIn.

A/E/C Firms Are Betting on KC’s Future

Kansas City’s A/E/C sector continues to scale — with in-market expansions proving this is no coincidence. These recent investments reflect a deeper commitment to the region and reinforce KC’s position as a global hub for design, engineering and construction innovation.

Here are some of the firms that have put that belief into action: 

  • Black & Veatch is advancing a $1.12B headquarters expansion in Overland Park, anchoring a 1-million-sq.-ft. mixed-use campus that will include a 750,000-sq.-ft. HQ, 788 housing units and 137,000 sq. ft. of retail space.
  • DRAW has relocated to the historic 1892 Henney Buggy building at 1400 W 13th St in the West Bottoms, creating a larger, more sustainable workspace.
  • Forge Construction invested more than $2.9M to relocate and expand its Kansas City headquarters, transforming a 10,000-sq.-ft. Crossroads building and creating nearly 20 new jobs in one of the city’s fastest-growing districts.
  • HDR opened a new health-focused architecture studio near the plaza that focuses on healthcare design, including pediatric and research facilities.
  • Helix Architecture + Design deepened its commitment to downtown Kansas City with a new 6,700-sq.-ft. headquarters in the Crossroads’ historic Film Row, blending adaptive reuse with modern workplace design.
  • HNTB reaffirmed its commitment to downtown Kansas City with its relocation to the 591-foot Town Pavilion — the city’s second-tallest building — signaling continued reinvestment in the urban core.
  • JE Dunn Construction invested $20M to renovate its 190,000-sq.-ft., six-story Kansas City headquarters, reimagining the workspace to support evolving work styles, enhance collaboration and deliver a modern, flexible environment.
  • TREKK Design Group more than doubled the size of its Kansas City headquarters by moving to a new South Kansas City office, supporting continued growth for the 120-person, woman-owned civil engineering firm.
  • POPULOUS relocated its global headquarters to a new 100,000+-sq.-ft. collaborative workspace at 1400 Baltimore, consolidating teams downtown and reinforcing Kansas City’s role as a global hub for sports design.

Have a recent expansion or relocation to add? Let us know. 

How KC is Attracting Global Firms — Without Being Asked

By Ashley McDonald, KC Global Design Managing Director

KC Global Design exists to amplify something truly special: an ecosystem of creativity, expertise and impact that stretches far beyond our region. Yes, world-class design + construction work is happening right here in Kansas City. But just as importantly, KC firms are shaping skylines, power systems, stadiums and communities across the globe.

As managing director of KC Global Design, I have the unique privilege of working alongside these firms every day, telling a story that continues to surprise even those of us closest to it. While many know KC for its deep roots in sports architecture — and rightfully so — there’s so much more beneath the surface. This is a multibillion-dollar design + construction industry, powered by more than 80,000 professionals, spanning disciplines and influencing projects at every scale imaginable.

But the real differentiator? It’s not just what happens here. It’s how it happens.

In Kansas City, competition and collaboration coexist in a way that’s rare. You’ll often hear it called “coopetition,” but it’s more than a buzzword. It’s a mindset. Firms compete at the highest levels, yet there’s an unmistakable willingness to share ideas, support one another and elevate the industry as a whole. It’s the belief that when one firm succeeds, our whole ecosystem moves forward — and it’s something people don’t just talk about. They live it.

That culture has created a growing sense of curiosity (and yes, even a bit of FOMO) from outside the region. Firms want to be part of what’s happening here.

While KC Global Design isn’t focused on the recruitment of more A/E/C firms to the region, the pull toward Kansas City is undeniable. The recent expansions of Gensler and Perkins&Will into Kansas City, along with Pape-Dawson’s acquisition of BHC to establish a regional headquarters, are clear signals that this ecosystem is resonating on a national scale. That momentum is also reflected in a number of local firms doubling down on Kansas City with recent in-market expansions. 

And we’re just getting started.

With Kansas City preparing to welcome the world in the months ahead, the spotlight is only getting brighter. The foundation is already here: talent, collaboration and a shared commitment to excellence across design + construction. What comes next is an even bigger opportunity: to showcase not just what we’ve built, but how we’ve built it, together.

Because in Kansas City, design + construction isn’t just an industry, it’s a collective force. And its impact is only growing.

To keep up with KC’s design + construction industry, follow KC Global Design on LinkedIn.

14 Reasons Kansas City is a Top Design City

Updated March 2026

KC is among the leading cities in the world for architecture, engineering and construction, with a legacy of designing and building a better world — from right here in the Heartland.

  1. More than 1,400 architectural and engineering firms call KC home
  2. KC has more than 6,800 construction firms
  3. 94,000 workers in KC are employed in the A/E/C sector
  4. A/E/C is a $16 billion industry in KC
  5. KC led the Green Revolution in architecture
  6. Nearly half of sports architecture around the world originates in the KC region
  7. KC firms were key to the design of 27 of the 30 NFL Stadiums
  8. Kansas City created the gold standard for Olympic stadiums
  9. 23% of the world’s power systems are designed by KC companies
  10. 9% of global telecommunication systems are designed by KC companies
  11. 10% of the world’s transportation infrastructure and systems are KC-designed
  12. 21 of the top 25 U.S. design firms have a presence in KC — more than any other city
  13. KC has 7th-largest concentration in the U.S. for architecture and engineering jobs; 70% more concentrated than the national average
  14. Colleges and universities in the KC region award 1,400+ architecture and engineering degrees annually


Discover more: Explore why Kansas City is known as the sports architecture capital of the world.

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.

View all KC Global Design programming

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.