Projects completed by 16 Kansas State University and University of Kansas students enrolled in the Kansas City Design Center during the 2008-2009 academic year are on display in the Chang Gallery of Seaton Hall.

The exhibition is open to the public without charge through September 11. Hours of the Chang Gallery are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekdays.

A graduate-level, interdisciplinary, inter-university urban design/research studio, the mission of the Kansas City Design Center (KCDC) is to be the agent of public discourse in the Kansas City metropolitan area. Located at 1018 Baltimore in downtown Kansas City, Missouri, the 2008-2009 studio was comprised of seven students majoring in architecture, landscape architecture, and interior architecture and product design from the K-State College of Architecture, Planning and Design and nine architecture students from the School of Architecture and Urban Design at the University of Kansas.

The studio exposed the students to a wide range of past, present and proposed urban development projects in Kansas City and reviewed a variety of urban issues currently impacting the city’s future. The beneficial effect of well-designed public space on social interaction, public health and safety, and community aspirations was presented as an overarching theme for community enhancement.

The 2008-2009 studio continued an interdisciplinary investigation for revitalization of Kansas City’s Case Park which was begun by the 2007-2008 KCDC students. They also completed the following individual projects, and their design solutions will compose the exhibit.

From Kansas State University:

- Cole Giesler, “18th and Vine Redevelopment,” a study of the historic development of the Kansas City Jazz District;
- Jerald Kohrs, “Clyde Manor Renovation,” a proposal for redevelopment of historic Armour Boulevard housing;
- Rachel Koster, “Urban Farm and Organic Restaurant,” a proposal to renovate a historic school for urban agriculture;
- Andrea Pardo, “Artech Incubator,” a proposal for a high-tech education and entertainment center over I-670;
- Shandelle Renyer, “Bridging the Gap,” a proposal to connect downtown neighborhoods with open space;
- Kyle Sherwood, “Streetcars,” a history of the streetcar and a design proposal for a new streetcar for Kansas City; and
- Giannina Zapattini, “Mobitel,” a proposal for a mobile hotel module designed as an interactive art installation.

Click here to see programs:
KCDC Artech Incubator by Andrea Pardo
KCDC 18th and Vine Redevelopment by Cole Geisler
KCDC Streetcars by Kyle Sherwood
KCDC Mobitel by Giannina Zapattini

From the University of Kansas:

- Eleanor Butler, “Mainstreet Corridor,” an urban design study of the commercial district south of the Plaza;
- Hoi Wang Chan, “Crossroads Connector,” a proposal for a mixed-use center in the Crossroads;
- Steven Dragan, “A Crossroads Pattern Language,” an exploration of pattern language in the Crossroads;
- Jennifer Essen, “8th Street Tunnel Museum,” a proposal for a new history museum in Case Park;
- Allison Kapsner, “I Am A City,” documentation of the development of an architecture-based curriculum for kids;
- Allison Macon, “Housing/Park + Bridge,” a proposal to connect downtown to the East Side;
- Sarah Thompson, “Westside Music Academy,” a proposal to renovate a historic school as a classical music school;
- Kyle Walker, “City Farms,” a proposal for a vertical urban farm with housing for the River Market; and
- Ashlen Williams, “Intermodal Center and Greenhouse,” a proposal for a transit center over I-670.

The K-State student participants received their degrees in May of 2009. Professor Richard Farnan, a faculty lecturer at KU who has practiced at HNTB, was studio instructor.

Funding for the KCDC is provided by the William T. Kemper Foundation and the Hall Family Foundation of Kansas City, as well as DST Realty, 360 Architecture, Populous, HNTB Architecture, Commerce Banks, the University of Kansas and K-State.

For more information, contact:
Wendy Ornelas, 785.532.5950
Diane Potts, 785.532.1090