4. 4
The River Market Transit Hub serves as a staple for the greater Kansas
City Metropolitan area. A beacon of the future of mass transit and sustainabil-
ity, this net-zero living building combines the benefits of transit-oriented com-
munities, offices, retail, luxury living and community assets. This combination
of combining live work and providing commuters with centralized amenities
they currently utilize generates a new model of efficiency within transit devel-
opment and office construction.
Focused around a modern, realistic and simple design, the River Mar-
ket Transit Hub utilizes centralized atria to allow daylighting, ventilation and
views throughout the complex. As the complex circulates the site edges, its
three buildings each carry this atria language - following a pattern of decen-
tralizing from the center atria of the eastern-most building.
The future of transit-oriented development requires creating an ex-
perience that is as user-friendly as is it accessible. The need for child care
facilities, dry cleaners, restaurants, fast food facilities, local business retail
opportunities, parking, commuter and light rail, bus connections, health facili-
ties, coffee shops, community facilities and convenience stores only increas-
es as sprawl and the average commute time to work continues to increase.
Through combining the daily trips of workers within the Kansas City down-
town district, the River Market Transit Hub is able to minimize the time individ-
uals spend commuting and running errands - granting additional family time
and community time. This time allows for the building of a diverse economy,
happy family networks and healthy communities; it is essential towards the
continued growth and development of our cities and the River Market Transit
Hub is proud to offer this to Kansas City.
PROJECT THESIS
6. 6
When researching the historical significance of this site, one of the
greatest finds was that it initially was developed as a brewery in the late
1800s and early 1900s. The brewery changed hands multiple times and
went through various names but Pabst at one point was an owner. Having
been in an industry driven part of town, this site had constant traffice typical-
ly drawing from the crowds at the city trading center and market across the
street. Travelers would typically come from the river and offer goods that they
brought from various places.
Having such a great histrorical significance with a brewery, we decided
to make the design decision to bring a brewery back to the site. Using this
idea allowed us to create a specific anchor in our desitination which would
bring people in at all times of the day. This additionally provides jobs and al-
lows for a product unique to this location to be sold regionally and nationwide
if desired. The brewery includes a restaurant as well.
SITE HISTORY
10. 10
The site currently serves as and will
continue to be focused as a center of trans-
portation. In the past, this lot had been fo-
cused on a street car and often serving
as outdoor market space which held large
crowds in addition to the city market across
the corner. Currently the site is a parking lot for
commuters who use the new light rail station,
the MegaBus, the local bus systems, or walk
to local businesses and attractions. The prop-
erty is owned by the Kansas City Area Trans-
portation Authority.
Part of redeveloping the site is to keep
the destination focused using transit oriented
design. In future planning, a commuter rail is
planned to arrive at this station to the north.
With this site continuing to serve many com-
muters, we used this as an opportunity to
drive our design decisions. Some of these in-
cluded a ground level transit hub, a bus pass
through in the site by repurposing Oak St.,
bicycle storage and showers, shaded seating
and waiting areas, underground parking, and
ground level retail and amenities.
TRANSPORTATION
12. 12
564 Beatty was particularly studied
for the south facing facade as well
as the structure in relation to the of-
fice layout. We studied how the cur-
tain wall system used metal paneling
as spandrels as well as overhanging
louvers to block particular angles of
sunlight. We further studied the idea
conditions for our region using Se-
faira. Additionally, we examined the
structural grid which was 30’ x 30’,
the same spacing we used, as to
how this informs the office arrange-
ment.
PRECEDENTS
564 BEATTY
Vancouver, BC, Canada
13. 13
The ETFO Building had a few signif-
icant contributions to our research
and conceptual design. One of the
concepts that we found interesting
was the folded skin and overhang
that provided shade and thermal
mass to the structure. Additionally,
we focused on the cross and stack
ventilation techniques used to draw
air up the atrium and across the
office floor plates.
ETFO BUILDING
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
14. 14
When examining the Center for
Interactive Research on Sustain-
ability, the element that stood out
to us most was the atrium space.
This design exposes the structure,
particularly beams, and provides a
quick reference to the vertical circu-
lation taking place. Additionally, the
space uses stack ventilation and
is well lit thus making the atrium a
celebrated feature which we used to
inform our design.
CENTER FOR INTERACTIVE
RESEARCH ON SUSTAINABILITY
Vancouver, BC, Canada
15. 15
The Sage VIP Building was a driving
example of form for our west build-
ing on the site. We studied the way
that the shade structure and inset
balconies allowed for outdoor gath-
ering and used these concepts to
provide space and shade for people
gathering outside of the transporta-
tion hub or the local office spaces.
SAGE VIP BUILDING
Pretoria, South Africa
18. 18
THOMPSON SCHEME
Focused around a central
courtyard, this initial scheme de-
veloped upon providing a closed
facade along third street to maximize
upon the retail potential a transit-fo-
cused street.
The additional emphasis upon
having an occupiable rooftop to pro-
vide views to Kansas City drove the
rooftop occupancy availability and
voids to allow for natural daylighting
and ventilation.
20. 20
McELWAIN SCHEME
Opening the corner to the Riv-
er Market provides access and an
open square for the visitors to create
a space for people to occupy and
explore. The buildings are optimized
for lighting and ventilation.
The addition of businesses
and ammeneties in this development
support the people that are already
in the area as well as the new-com-
ers from the light rail and the future
commuter rail.
24. 24
1STLEVEL FLOOR PLAN
5TH LEVEL FLOOR PLAN
Raised access floor provide
flexible open office floor plans and
allow for direct and personalized
ventilation systems and thermal
comfort. The integration of the bar
as a focal point highlights the devel-
opment as a unique landmark within
the Kansas City region and provides
a way to build and promote commu-
nity.
The preservation of Oak Street
on the site as a through-way for bus
circulation generates a closed pe-
destrian plaza level, while the intro-
duction of a secondary street for car
circulation between the development
and the Cold Storage building pro-
vides both circulation and a buffer
between the two developments.
27. 27
The structure of the building is steel I
beams. The heirarchy of structure car-
rys a 30 foot bay pattern and this allows
for optimum renting and layout space
for the clients renting the space. The
structure carrys all the way down to the
ground through the concrete parking
structure.
The floors of the building are built from
concrete decking over a metal deck.
The floor space is largely optimised to
allow for air flow and sunlight penetra-
tion for better work and living environ-
ments.
Walls of the buildings are R-40 for opti-
mum thermal breaking from the exte-
rior. The glass walls are double paned
argon filled allowing the sin exposure to
be reduced.
The HV/AC system is largely under-
floor for the office and the residences
and the atriums will be conditioned by
forced air.
Sloar arrays on the top of the north and
south buildings will power the whole
site.
34. 34
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FIRST FLOOR PLAN
SCALE: 1/16”=1’
THIRD FLOOR PLAN
SCALE: 1/16”=1’
FIFTH FLOOR PLAN
SCALE: 1/16”=1’
SIXTH FLOOR PLAN
SCALE: 1/16”=1’
14
15
16 17
18 19
20
21
2223
24 25
18000
28800
25200
7000
25500
8100
NORTH BUILDING
Retail Office Residen4al Mechanical Circula4on Transit
8100
41400
4500
3600
14400
10800
EAST BUILDING
Retail Office Mechanical Circula4on Gym Transit
The north building incorpo-
rates services and amenities for
the transit hub in addition to office
space. Offering a childcare facility,
dry cleaners, restaurants, bar and
office space the northern building
integrates the live-work mentality of
millennials and future mixed use city
design.
35. 35
WH
WH
WH
WH
WHH
UNIT LAYOUT A
SCALE: 1/8”=1’
UNIT LAYOUT B
SCALE: 1/8”=1’
UNIT LAYOUT C
SCALE: 1/8”=1’
14
15
16
17
18
BICYCLE STORAGE / SHOWERS
LOCAL BUSINESS RETAIL
FREIGHT ELEVATOR
MECHANICAL ROOM
FOOD RETAIL
19
20
21
22
23
DRY CLEANERS
OFFICE SPACE
OFFICE SPACE
BREWERY RESTAURANT
BREW AREA / KITCHEN
KEY
24 ROOFTOP BAR
25 LUXURY LOFTS
42. 42
26
27
28
29
30
TRANSPORTATION TICKET COUNTER
BUS WAITING AREA
CAFE/ COMPUTER LOUNGE
MECHANICAL ROOM
BASKETBALL COURT
31
32
33
34
35
LOCKER ROOM
GYM
OPEN OFFICE
YOGA STUDIO
BANQUET/EVENT ROOM
KEY
36 ROOFTOP GARDEN PLOTS
37 ROOFTOP POOL
38 OUTDOOR TERRACE
UP
UP
UP
UP
11
22
33
55
K L M N
15
9
13
11
8
7
6
4 4
REF
REF.REF.
1
2
3
5
K
K
L
L
M
M
N
N
15
4
FIRST FLOOR PLAN
SCALE: 1/16”=1’
SECOND FLOOR PLAN
SCALE: 1/16”=1’
26
27
28
29 29
30
31
32
32
33
34
59. 59
THIS STANDARD IS AN ACT OF OPTIMISM
AND BELIEF THAT WITH THE RIGHT TOOLS
IN THE HANDS OF PASSIONATE, LITERATE
AND SENSITIVE INDIVIDUALS. A REVOLU-
TIONARY TRANSFORMATION IS POSSI-
BLE. IT IS A PROGRAM THAT ASKS US TO
THINK HOLISTICALLY AND ENGAGE BOTH
OUR RIGHT AND LEFT BRAINS, HEAD AND
HEART.
60. 60
LIVING BUILDING - ENERGY
ROOF/SITE PLAN
SCALE: 1”=30’
1
2
3
4
5
PARKING RAMP
PLAZA
PV ARRAY
COLD STORAGE LOFTS
ASIAN MARKET
6
7
8
9
10
STREETCAR STOP
ONE-WAY BUS DRIVE
POWER PLANT
COMMUNITY GARDEN
POOL
KEY
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11 ROOFTOP BAR
11
GRANDAVENUE
3RD STREET
12 CITY MARKET
12
13 COMMUTER RAIL STOP
13
61. 61
PV PANELS
Photovoltaic panels allow us to offset the
amount of energy used within the building
to become net positive
WEST SECTION
NATURAL VENTILATION
The use of large open atria throughout the
site maximizes the natural ventilation of
fresh and stale air
OVERHANGS
The integration of large overhangs allows
us to shield the building from a majority of
direct sunlight
Level 5
57' - 5"
Level 6
70' - 5"
SUN SHELVES
Placing sun shelves over glass curtain
walls and integration mullions provides ad-
ditional blockage from direct sun
62. 62
LIVING BUILDING - WATER
ROOF/SITE PLAN
SCALE: 1”=30’
1
2
3
4
5
PARKING RAMP
PLAZA
PV ARRAY
COLD STORAGE LOFTS
ASIAN MARKET
6
7
8
9
10
STREETCAR STOP
ONE-WAY BUS DRIVE
POWER PLANT
COMMUNITY GARDEN
POOL
KEY
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11 ROOFTOP BAR
11
GRANDAVENUE
3RD STREET
12 CITY MARKET
12
13 COMMUTER RAIL STOP
13
63. 63
PHOTOLUMINESCENT ALGAE
Algae is a critical component of filtering
and conserving water from the brewery -
allowing a more sustainable process
RETENTION PONDS
Integration of retention ponds allows us
to utilize roof-collected water over potable
water
A109
6
STORMWATER COLLECTION
Plugging stormwater into graywater sys-
tems allows for conservation of potable
water within plumbing systems
RAIN GARDENS
Placing biowales and rain gardens on-site
allows the site to begin to filter out toxins
before hitting the streetscape
64. 64
LIVING BUILDING - PLACE
ROOF/SITE PLAN
SCALE: 1”=30’
1
2
3
4
5
PARKING RAMP
PLAZA
PV ARRAY
COLD STORAGE LOFTS
ASIAN MARKET
6
7
8
9
10
STREETCAR STOP
ONE-WAY BUS DRIVE
POWER PLANT
COMMUNITY GARDEN
POOL
KEY
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11 ROOFTOP BAR
11
GRANDAVENUE
3RD STREET
12 CITY MARKET
12
13 COMMUTER RAIL STOP
13
65. 65
URBAN GARDENING
Encouraging urban agriculture and gar-
dening through community building
BROWNFIELD CONSTRUCTION
Construction on the site of a current park-
ing lot does not damage any wetlands or
natural habitats
HABITAT EXCHANGE
Designating preservations offsite along the
Kansas River help to mitigate the environ-
mental damage from construction
BICYCLE STORAGE
Indoor bicycle storage and showers offer
incentives to bike to work over driving
66. 66
LIVING BUILDING - MATERIALS
RED LIST
Compliance with the red list of banned
materials
LOCAL MATERIALS
Maximization of materials coming from
500 km or less from the site
EPA Chemical of Concern Ban
Ban of any integration of materials made
from chemicals on the US EPA Chemical
of Concern list
RECYCLING MATERIALS
Recycling of waste materials from the site
67. 67
LIVING BUILDING - EQUITY
UNIVERSAL ACCESSIBILITY
Universal access to all public features of
the site including daylight, ventilation and
outdoor amenities
TRANSPORTATION
Incorporation of multi-modal transportation
including private and public mass-transit
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Integration of affordable housing units and
4% low income housing tax credits to hel-
op finance the project
COMMUNITY BUILDING
Community building features such as a
brewery, urban garden, public plaza and
local business incubation
68. 68
LIVING BUILDING - BEAUTY
ROOF/SITE PLAN
SCALE: 1”=30’
1
2
3
4
5
PARKING RAMP
PLAZA
PV ARRAY
COLD STORAGE LOFTS
ASIAN MARKET
6
7
8
9
10
STREETCAR STOP
ONE-WAY BUS DRIVE
POWER PLANT
COMMUNITY GARDEN
POOL
KEY
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11 ROOFTOP BAR
11
GRANDAVENUE
3RD STREET
12 CITY MARKET
12
13 COMMUTER RAIL STOP
13
69. 69
PUBLIC GATHERING & ART
Integration of public plazas and integration
of local business and art
BIOPHILIC ENVIRONMENT
Placement of greenery and water features
throughout the project site
EDUCATION
Educational boards and programs about
the sustainable features of the project
RAIN GARDENS
Placing biowales and rain gardens on-site
allows the site to begin to filter out toxins
before hitting the streetscape
70. 70
LIVING BUILDING - HEALTH
ROOF/SITE PLAN
SCALE: 1”=30’
1
2
3
4
5
PARKING RAMP
PLAZA
PV ARRAY
COLD STORAGE LOFTS
ASIAN MARKET
6
7
8
9
10
STREETCAR STOP
ONE-WAY BUS DRIVE
POWER PLANT
COMMUNITY GARDEN
POOL
KEY
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11 ROOFTOP BAR
11
GRANDAVENUE
3RD STREET
12 CITY MARKET
12
13 COMMUTER RAIL STOP
13
71. 71
OPERABLE WINDOWS
Operable windows provide natural daylight
and ventilation to occupants
TOBACCO BAN
Banning tobacco products on the site
boundary promote healthy living and life-
styles
GREEN WALLS
Green walls help to provide air filtration
and promote the use of atrium stairs
OUTDOOR CONNECTIONS
Direct connections to the exterior balco-
nies of the site provide natural air and en-
vironemntal benefits
73. 73
We believe that the time has come to
elevate human health and comfort to
the forefront of building practices and
reinvent buildings that are not only
better for the planet—but also for
people.
74. 74
WELL BUILDING - AIR
ROOF/SITE PLAN
SCALE: 1”=30’
1
2
3
4
5
PARKING RAMP
PLAZA
PV ARRAY
COLD STORAGE LOFTS
ASIAN MARKET
6
7
8
9
10
STREETCAR STOP
ONE-WAY BUS DRIVE
POWER PLANT
COMMUNITY GARDEN
POOL
KEY
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11 ROOFTOP BAR
11
GRANDAVENUE
3RD STREET
12 CITY MARKET
12
13 COMMUTER RAIL STOP
13
75. 75
OPERABLE WINDOWS
Operable windows provide natural daylight
and ventilation to occupants
ADVANCED AIR PURIFICATION
Advanced mechanical and natural air puri-
fication produces cleaner air
INCREASED VENTILATION
Increased and direct sourced ventilation
provides fresher air to the project
CLEANABLE ENVIRONMENT
The use of aluminum paneling for the
walls of the building allows for easy
cleaning methods
76. 76
WELL BUILDING - WATER
ROOF/SITE PLAN
SCALE: 1”=30’
1
2
3
4
5
PARKING RAMP
PLAZA
PV ARRAY
COLD STORAGE LOFTS
ASIAN MARKET
6
7
8
9
10
STREETCAR STOP
ONE-WAY BUS DRIVE
POWER PLANT
COMMUNITY GARDEN
POOL
KEY
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11 ROOFTOP BAR
11
GRANDAVENUE
3RD STREET
12 CITY MARKET
12
13 COMMUTER RAIL STOP
13
77. 77
PHOTOLUMINESCENT ALGAE
Algae is a critical component of filtering
and conserving water from the brewery -
allowing a more sustainable process
STEAM TAPPING
Tapping into the steam plant adjacent to
the site reduces on-side energy and water
consumption
PUBLIC WATER ADDITIVES
Addition of disinfectants and fluoride into
the water systems
DRINKING WATER PROMOTION
Additional water fountain placement and
promotion of renewable water bottles
78. 78
WELL BUILDING - NOURISHMENT
ROOF/SITE PLAN
SCALE: 1”=30’
1
2
3
4
5
PARKING RAMP
PLAZA
PV ARRAY
COLD STORAGE LOFTS
ASIAN MARKET
6
7
8
9
10
STREETCAR STOP
ONE-WAY BUS DRIVE
POWER PLANT
COMMUNITY GARDEN
POOL
KEY
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11 ROOFTOP BAR
11
GRANDAVENUE
3RD STREET
12 CITY MARKET
12
13 COMMUTER RAIL STOP
13
79. 79
URBAN GARDENING
Encouraging urban agriculture and gar-
dening through community building
HAND WASHING
Separated hand washing stations to en-
courage sanitary procedures
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION
Graphic and visual design standards for
food nutritional values in restaurants
RESPONSIBLE FOOD PRODUCTION
Sanitary and responsible separated food pro-
duction zones for all restaurants
80. 80
WELL BUILDING - LIGHT
SOLAR GLARE CONTROL
Solar glare shelves and glazings to pre-
vent glare in workspaces
RIGHT TO LIGHT
Natural daylighting within all spaces max-
imized by a narrow footprint and light
shelves
DAYLIGHT MODELING
Daylight maximization and modeling within
Sefaira
DAYLIGHT FENESTRATION
Windows, shelves and screens incorpo-
rated within the fenestration of individual
wall systems
81. 81
WELL BUILDING - FITNESS
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY SPACES
Integration of a gym within the project to
encourage exercise and a balanced life-
style
STRUCTURED FITNESS
Daily fitness classes to encourage healthy
activity and movement
INTERIOR FITNESS CIRCULATION
Visual stairs integrated within atria to en-
courage healthy daily habits and stair use
FITNESS EQUIPMENT
Mixed integration of high and low intensity
fitness equipemnent as well as exercise
amentities such as a basketball court
82. 82
WELL BUILDING - COMFORT
ADA DESIGN STANDARDS
Acceptance and integration of ADA de-
sign standards for all areas of the project
THERMAL COMFORT
Meeting ASHRAE design standard 55
INDIVIDUAL THERMAL COMFORT
Individual thermal comfort techniques
through floor air distribution, operable win-
dows, screens, etc.
83. 83
WELL BUILDING - MIND
MATERIAL TRANSPARENCY
Labels and health label declaration for
50% of materials utilized in the project
WORKPLACE FAMLIY SUPPORT
Child care facilities and mandatory office
family support policies
POST-OCCUPANCY SURVEYS
Post-occupancy surveys to determine the
performance of equipment and programs
84. 84
THOMPSON REFLECTION
Changing the uninamous aluminum
metal paneling around and offering
materials facade differences over
physical building cuts could have
provided a more comprehensive
and complete image for how the
buildings came together. The in-
troduction of brick into the project
could have additionally related it
more to the surrounding context.
I would have liked to introduced the
concept of blue algae more into the
scheme. The ability to purify air and
treat water offers a staple of sus-
tainability which can be visual and
appealing. Intorducing more of these
tubes into the plaza, etc. would have
been a nice way to highlight this
feature further.
Introducing more of a stepped con-
cept to our buildings would have
allowed for additional outdoor occu-
piable space within the project. The
current adoption of these outdoor
spaces in the lofts and the bar help
to relate the building to the plaza,
and I believe more introduction of
this concept would benefit the proj-
ect.
Additional site diagrams and context
would have been beneficial to relate
the size of the development with
the surrounding scale and building
context. The lack of these diagrams
on our board prevented the jury from
understanding how the development
fit into the surrounding context.
85. 85
KENNEY REFLECTION
One of the largest changes I would
make is increasing the use of natu-
ral materials. Underneath our folded
plates and overhangs, I would incor-
porate wood paneling to provide a
warmth in such a shaded and dark
space.
To connect the south building to the
north and west elements, I would
explore the opportunity to provide
a covered walk which spans the
interior facades and would allow for
circulation year round with shielding
from the elements.
I felt that while our underground retail
was a nice element, that it did not fit
into the surrounding context to in-
form the site. I feel that bringing the
retail into covered stalls much like
the city market would allow for more
pedestrian activity to occur in the
courtyard and provide movement.
An idea that we had at one point
explored was exposing our water
treatment from the brewery. I think
that if we were to follow through, it
could be a unique element of the
facade which would also allow for an
educational element on the site. This
could feed into the central purifying
system and show the process.
86. 86
McELWAIN REFLECTION
One of the largest changes I would
make is to the bus terminals and the
transit hub. There needs to be a
connection to the new commuter rail
and a better integration to the new
light rail.
I would explore the underground
retail in more depth in order to cre-
ate a connection to the north and
south buildings. This would provide
another connection to the site and a
path for people to explore while still
making it financially feasible.
I would explore more surrounding
buildings and the connection to the
site in terms of materials. The en-
tire building is completely different
than the surrounding buildings and
it seems to stick out too much from
the surrounding buildings.
The south building needs more
development in terms of the pro-
gramming of the building to make
it more viable for the developers
to make the proforma work for the
building. This is an area that will be
highly trafficked and it needs a better
connection to the site and the east
building.
