Competition
This was a two-stage international design competition comprising an open call for submissions – including team composition, relevant experience, company details, and an initial project reaction – followed by a design stage for a shortlist of six competitors.
Teams
The competition warmly welcomed US, international, emerging and established studios.
The museum sought an integrated multi-disciplinary design team (led by an architect) capable of providing the full range of professional input and services for the project, and including:
- Lead Design Architect
- Landscape Architect
- Engineering disciplines, including structural, services and sustainability
- Heritage advisor, if central to the team’s approach
At stage two, teams were able to propose additional consultants to enhance their design concept including:
- Exhibition Designer
- Lighting Designer
- Catering Specialist
- Access Consultant
Please note: An Owner’s Representative for cost consultancy and project management services related to this project will be procured separately by the client and did not form part of this procurement process. Competitors independently validated their cost assumptions at the second stage.
While the competition was open to all architects, including those registered in the State of Missouri, the role of the Architect of Record (AoR)/state-registered Executive Architect will be decided upon later in the process. The museum will determine the requirements for the AoR once the winning team is selected and will carry out a separate selection process for local firms. The museum was, therefore, expressly discouraging contact with potential firms for this role during the competition process.
Stage One
The first stage of the competition was an open call for submissions – a Request for Qualifications – including proposed team composition, relevant experience, company details, and an initial reaction to the project aims and objectives. No design submission was required at stage one.
Stage Two
The six finalists were invited to prepare concept designs through winter 2024–5. They received a detailed program and attended a site visit and briefing workshop in Kansas City, including public engagement sessions.
The stage two submissions include presentation boards, a design portfolio, a technical proposal (including an area schedule and scaled drawings), a physical model, a video presentation, and a commercial proposal.
An exhibition of the finalist concept designs is now open at the museum (March 15 through June 1) and the schemes are also available to view online, giving the community an opportunity to view the submissions and give their feedback.
Competitors presented to the Architect Selection Committee, who interviewed each team and unanimously recommend a winner to the Board, who ratified the decision.
The Committee comprised the following members:
- Evelyn Craft Belger, Board Chair and Chair of the Architect Selection Committee
- Rick Green, Trustee and Immediate Past Chair of the Board
- Valerie Chow MD, Trustee
- Paul DeBruce, Trustee
- Linda Woodsmall-DeBruce, Member of the Committee on Collections
- Bill Gautreaux, Trustee
- Don Hall, Jr., Trustee
- Shirley Bush Helzberg, Chair Emerita
- Neil Karbank, Board Secretary
- Sandra Lawrence, Board Treasurer
- Greg Maday, Trustee
- Ramón Murguía, Former Trustee
- Mark O’Connell, Trustee
- Kent Sunderland, Trustee
- Julián Zugazagoitia, Director & CEO of The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
Timeline
| Stage One Launch | Tuesday, October 1, 2024 |
| Stage One Deadline | 10:00am CDT (UTC‑5) Tuesday, October 29, 2024 |
| Stage Two Launch | Late November 2024 |
| Site Visit | December 11–13, 2024 |
| Stage Two Deadline | February 2025 |
| Winner Announcement | Spring 2025 |