Richard Bolling Federal Building Plaza & Lobby
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Information
- Location Kansas City, Missouri
- Size 15,400 SF
- Completion 2004
- Services Architecture
- Project Type Federal
The Bolling Federal Building has been a prominent presence in downtown Kansas City, Missouri since it opened in 1964. BNIM was retained by the General Services Administration to improve the public perception of the building and to develop innovative design concepts in accordance with the “First Impressions” initiative to “improve the appearance and efficiency of GSA buildings.”
BNIM’s design addressed many program issues, including site and building security and creating a strong interior-exterior connection. This award-winning design is an example of how beauty, function and security can blend seamlessly into a single, inviting space. The new entry into the Bolling Federal Building, which includes a reflecting pool, provides a model for urban context and a paradigm for federal environments, where open, friendly spaces with “invisible” security impart a contemporary and uplifting impression to the public.
Guided in part by Patrick Moynihan’s, “The Guiding Principles For Federalist Architecture”, BNIM’s resulting design of the Bolling Federal Building enhances the connection to the site and to the public realm with a new entry experience.
Impact + Innovation
BNIM used new plaza components such as a fountain, planters, flagpole and light bollards to transform the entry experience of this 1960s era bunker-style building. The result is more inviting, while maintaining the security necessary after 9/11 terrorist attacks.
BNIM’s landscape designers worked with the design team to define the public place – defining the scale, detail, and massing of the plaza and entry pavilion. The project reconnects the building to the urban fabric of the city. The new pavilion, reflecting pool and plaza dissolves inside/outside boundaries and transitions the scale of the monumental building (1,000,000 sf) to the street level.
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People
Team
- Greg Sheldon
- Steve McDowell
- Kathleen Ayers
- Monica Rodriguez
- Shawn Gehle
- Christopher Harlow
- Craig Stevens
- Rick Schladweiler
![Richard Bolling Federal Building Plaza & Lobby](https://www.bnim.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/06042_00_richard-bolling-federal-building-plaza-lobby_id547.jpg)
![Richard Bolling Federal Building Plaza & Lobby](https://www.bnim.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/06042_00_richard-bolling-federal-building-plaza-lobby_id558.jpg)
Media
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Awards
General Services Administration (GSA)
“First Impressions” Citation, Design Award
2004
ASLA Prairie Gateway
Design Honor Award
2004
AIA Kansas City
Design Honor Award
2004
AIA Central States Region
Merit Award
2004
Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute (CRSI)
Merit Award
2003
AIA Kansas City
“Retaining the Urban Fabric,” Allied Arts and Craftsmanship Award
2003
AIA Kansas
Design Honor Award
2003
![Richard Bolling Federal Building Plaza & Lobby](https://www.bnim.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/06042_00_richard-bolling-federal-building-plaza-lobby_id561.jpg)