Kansas City Schools Reimagined: DLR Group Transforming Educational Spaces for Future Generations

Revamping Education Spaces in Kansas City

Kansas City is buzzing with excitement as the architecture firm DLR Group takes on a series of innovative school projects. With an office in Overland Park and a dedicated team of 115 employees, this company has carved out a unique niche specializing in K-12 school design. As the city begins to move past the pandemic’s shadow, DLR Group is seeing an upsurge in opportunities that aim to reshape how students experience their learning environments.

Adapting to New Needs

According to Ian Kilpatrick, a principal at DLR Group and the K-12 Southeast regional sector leader, there is a fresh enthusiasm among students and educators alike. “People came out of the pandemic very eager to come back to school and to these learning environments,” he shared. This excitement has directly translated into growth for DLR; their revenue jumped from around $15 million to $22 million in recent years, matching the nation’s shift back to in-person learning settings. The projections for the region that Kilpatrick oversees, which includes cities like Kansas City, Charlotte, Durham, Nashville, and Orlando, continue to soar.

A Diverse Design Approach

DLR Group has become quite the trendsetter in reimagining spaces for education. Take, for example, their recent project in North Kansas City, where they transformed what used to be a Hobby Lobby and a Price Chopper into a vibrant learning center. “You look at a big box store that has been sitting vacant, and you wonder how in the heck are we going to put kids in this and make it a fun space that’s not overwhelming,” Kilpatrick explained. The result? A remarkable 112,000 square-foot facility that not only serves young children but also features a student-run coffee shop and professional development spaces for adults.

Building a Community Hub

Each school project aims to be more than just a building; DLR wants these spaces to serve as community hubs. “Each facility is so unique, and they’re so embedded in their communities,” Kilpatrick noted. The early education center they developed is a wonderful example of this. It’s designed to feel like a storybook, complete with wall graphics of plants and animals native to Missouri. Every student received a storybook with identical illustrations to reinforce this experience.

Preparing Students for the Real World

Then there’s the Olathe School District project, where DLR Group is revamping a former call center into an innovation center that will host various career pathway programs. Slated for completion by summer 2025, this project emphasizes real-world applications and environments to better prepare students. The center will boast specialty areas such as a culinary arts program, complete with restaurant space, and labs for nursing and animal science that closely mimic actual work settings.

“We’re wanting to make the students feel like this isn’t school. This is a professional environment,” Kilpatrick explained. To achieve this, they’re incorporating elements that encourage collaboration among students and different learning styles. The furniture choices, layouts, and collaborative spaces are intended to foster a sense of autonomy and engagement.

A Holistic Design Philosophy

What sets DLR Group apart is its commitment to understanding the communities they serve. “What is the tradition? What are the socioeconomic breakdowns of students? What is that community really about?” Kilpatrick asked rhetorically, illustrating an important aspect of their design philosophy. By considering these factors, they aim to create spaces that reflect the communities’ values and student needs.

As Kansas City continues to adapt in a post-pandemic world, DLR Group is leading the charge in transforming schools into inviting, innovative, and responsive educational environments. Their work is not just about building classrooms; it’s about creating spaces that resonate, inspire, and prepare students for the future.