AIA Kansas City: The American Institute of Architects

Join us for a tour showcasing successful combinations of an Owner’s residence and business spaces in the same structure; one a renovation and one new construction, both in established neighborhoods.

Locations include:

· encompas Showroom and Owner’s residence; 1512 Grand
· framework design studio and Owner’s residence; 1668 Jefferson

encompas
In 2005, Corporate Design Group and The Contract Studio decided to merge and form encompas, a Preferred Haworth office furniture dealer. The Contract Studio had roots in an emerging district of downtown Kansas City called the Crossroads. It was decided that encompas too would look for their home in the Crossroads. The resulting search for a new home uncovered a decaying, overlooked structure at 1512 Grand. This building, built in 1909, had originally been constructed to house an automobile dealership.

In the winter of 2005, a significant demolition process ensued which included the removal of a significant amount of plaster and plaster walls as well as outdated electrical, mechanical and plumbing systems. Brick walls, wood joists and steel structural elements were left exposed to contrast the stark, new furniture which the space was to house. A raised access floor was also added to not only level a very uneven floor but to also distribute heating and cooling, power and data.

At the same time, a 4,000sf section of the second floor was being carved out to house the residence of Lisa Miller and Herman Weist, the building owners, who, along with Mike Kirkpatrick, own encompas. The same kind of ‘raw’ material feel was brought out in the architecture of the front half of the residence. The back half was constructed utilizing more conventional construction methods and materials.

In July of 2006, in a matter of only 8 months, encompas opened its’ doors. Partners KEM Studio (architect) and McCown Gordon (contractor), joined encompas and Haworth in unveiling a fabulous new showroom to Kansas City’s architectural and design community. Today encompas is one of the area’s leading office furniture dealers and the only major office furniture dealership on the Missouri side of greater Kansas City.

framework design
The home of framework design, inc., ‘vivienda moderna’, Spanish for modern dwelling, is located on what was a vacant corner of 17th and Jefferson Streets in the burgeoning Westside neighborhood. This mixed-use project, consisting of workshop, commercial, office and residential spaces aims to achieve L.E.E.D. status and is slated for completion in the late fall of 2009. Limestone and salvaged barn siding help tie the project to this historical neighborhood, while stucco, concrete and aluminum lend a modern aesthetic.

This home is a response to a series of questions. How will buildings and their design change in the coming years? Will the popularized ‘green’ movement become standard? Will multiple uses which reflect densification, urban living and multi-generational families under one roof be a necessity? Is good, unique design possible on a budget? ‘Vivienda moderna’ strives to resolve these questions by addressing the age old idea of shopkeeper living as a reevaluated concept. This modern dwelling was specifically designed as a mixed-use building to accommodate 2 residential spaces, 2 commercial realms and a design/build workshop. Ideally the larger residence houses a medium sized family which operates one or both of the commercial spaces and the smaller, ADA accessible residence could allow for multi-generational family living. However, the units’ design and placement allow for ultimate flexibility and use of spaces, with common living areas, flexible use rooms and lots of indoor/outdoor living. The commercial spaces allow for expansion, change of use, multiple operators and inhabitants. The universal design allows for maximum inhabitability, use and densification in a semi-urban environment. The project is striving to be L.E.E.D. certification by providing on-site water retention, drought tolerant plantings, reused materials and recycling areas among other green building practices. Materials, including 100 year old salvaged barn siding and locally quarried limestone help reflect this long-established historic neighborhood, directly adjacent to the hustle and bustle of developing downtown Kansas City.

Cost: $5.00 per person per location