Today’s featured project is The Guild/RW2 Studios located in Crossroads District of Kansas City, MO. This 12,000 SF event space and production studio is one of the early pioneers that helped define what makes the “Creative Crossroads” so cool.
Thank you to Judy Rush of RealFake, Lyndon & Lindsey Wade…the dynamic duo that make up the world renowned Wade Brothers for your vision and fearlessness. Shout out to Dale Frommelt of Egg Design for your collaboration on the project…one of the most versatile and talented people we know – honored to call you family.
Interesting Fact:
The Guild/RW2 Studios was the recipient of a 2013 National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) Design Excellence Citation.
It’s been a while since we’ve posted progress pictures of one of our favorite local projects located at 1621 Locust in the East Crossroads District. Although the building has been occupied since October of 2012 we’re still working with Egg Design and the Wade Brothers to make things perfect prior to our big reveal in the form of professional photography. If you haven’t attended an event at the Guild yet you should definitely do so. The decor is classic 1920’s with a splash of mod here and there. The vibe is always right with an emphasis on live music, great craft drinks at the bar, and upscale culinary bites by local emerging chefs.
Although “there’s no place like home” – the thought of using a public toilet facility doesn’t seem so bad when it’s in a smart design with clean lines surrounded by beautiful landscape.
10 East 13th Street Kansas City, MO 64106 - 6th Floor
Although “there’s no place like home” – the thought of using a public toilet facility doesn’t seem so bad when it’s in a smart design with clean lines surrounded by beautiful landscape.
Green roofs in Kansas City are impacting the economy as well as the environment in a positive way. In early 2009 the City of Kansas City, MO expressed interest in converting an existing green roof in the Power & Light District above Constantino’s Market parking garage into a revenue generating multi-purpose outdoor event space. Although sedum fields and concrete walking paths were installed during the initial build, pedestrian lighting and public toilet facilities were not in the budget. The lack of these features made the City’s proposed enhanced use of the green space difficult to achieve due to code regulated occupancy requirements.
Pendulum Studiowas retained by the Cordish Company and tasked with developing several concepts that would comply with code requirements, accommodate heavy daily use, and be ready for occupancy by the spring of 2010. Our initial design methodology was geared toward a partially off-grid modular solution – constructing the building in two pieces off site then hoisting them into place by crane. Although this approach was intriguing to all parties involved, it was decided that a more traditional “bricks & mortar” approach was most appropriate for this application. One of the keys to our design solution was the selection of materials and colors inside and out that would withstand public use but avoid looking institutional. We achieved this by incorporating SIL-LEED cementitious boardon the exterior. It’s gold color contrasted by the adjacent dark metal cladding compliments the limestone and glass buildings in the background. The use of soft colored subway tiles accented by charcoal banding and strategically placed lighting on the interior gives off a warm and inviting vibe.
Next Steps…
Although we did not implement our modular concept on this project, we have not given up on our quest. In fact, this rooftop project is really a predecessor to our shipping container based modular toilet facility soon to be completed. We are now working toward the delivery of four new off-grid modules equipped with solar cells, battery storage, and rain water collection for a municipal client at 50% of the hard construction cost of the traditional “bricks & mortar” method. Stay tuned for more info in an upcoming issue of Pen & Ink.
