Launching midwestern intersteller aspiration through building renovation
View MoreLessThe project was an exercise in balancing accepted historical preservation practices while seeking to engage contemporary environmental design issues. Designed to be the home of a large advertising firm, the TWA Building features state of the art office space served by an under floor HVAC and data distribution system, energy efficient traction elevators and window systems, abundant natural light, improved vertical circulation and a recrafted “Moonliner” rocket. The rooftop terrace is designed to address a range of environmental design issues. One of the largest planted roofs (25,000 square feet) in the region, the TWA roof features fields of native grasses and wildflowers as well as an outdoor deck area. These elements not only help to control runoff and reduce impermeable surface area, but provide a welcoming and natural environment for workers to enjoy.
- 2006
- Architect
- Kansas City, MO
- 135,000 SF
Client
- TWA Lofts LLC
Eldo Team
- David Dowell
- Steve Salzer
- Chris Burk
Collaborators
- Contractor: Harris Construction
- Structural / Civil Engineer: Norton & Schmidt
- MEP: Lankford & Fendler
- Code Consulting: Jeff Boyle
Awards
- 2008 Greening Rooftops for Sustainable Communities - Green Roof Excellence Award
- 2008 National Trust for Historic Preservation - National Preservation Honor Award
- 2008 AIA Central States Region Design Awards - Honor Award
- 2008 Missouri Preservation Honor Awards - Preservation Missouri Award
- 2007 AIA Kansas City Design Excellence Awards - Merit Award
- 2007 AIA Kansas City Young Architects Forum - Honor Award
- 2007 Kansas City Economic Development Corp. - Cornerstone Award
- 2006 AIA Kansas City Design Excellence Awards - Architectural Excellence in Retrospect Award
Press
- Curbed, Sam Lubell, “For El Dorado Architects, Modern Design Starts with Old-fashioned Craft,” 2018
- Architect Magazine, el dorado, “TWA Corporate Headquarters Building,” 2012
- Landeshauptstadt München Referat für Stadtplanung und Bauordnung, Maria Aubock & Janos Karasz, 2012
- Green Architecture, [PDF],“TWA Corporate Headquarters,”2010
- Greenability, Mary Bush, [PDF], “How Green is Your Rooftop?,”2009
- International New Landscape, “TWA Corporate Headquarters Building,” 2009
- Kansas City Star Magazine, Lynsy Smithson-Stanley, “TWA ‘Moonliner’ Replica,” 2009
- Kansas City Small Business, “el dorado Honored,” 2009
- Urban Times, Alexi Kontras, “The Green Design Frontier,” 2009
- Kansas City Star, Kevin Collison, “TWA Building Restoration Honored,” 2008
- Kevin Collison, Kansas City Star, “Economic Benefits Are Often Twofold,”2018
- KCUR, Eugenio Taboada, “Green Sewers for Kansas City?,” 2008
- preservation Magazine, Krista Walton, “National Preservation Awards,” 2008
- Kansas City Star, Steve Paul, “Local Business Briefs: Architectural Firms Win Awards,” 2007
- Kansas City Star, Steve Paul, “Simple Sexy Structures,”2007
- Kansas City Star, Stacy Downs, “A Look at KC’s Downtown Rooftop Gardens,” 2007
- Kansas City Star, Fred Blocher, “Moonliner Landing,” 2007
- Kansas City Star, Jennifer Mann, “Barkley Evergreen Takes Wing,” 2005
Photography
- Mike Sinclair
