Business Details
38 Years
experience
Trusted Architects in Kansas City
Founded in 1988 by John Bell and Kerry Knott, our firm has built a reputation as a leader in architecture and interior design across the Kansas City metropolitan area and beyond. We combine technical expertise with creative vision to deliver projects that balance functionality, aesthetics, and sustainability. Our collaborative approach integrates building systems and designs into cohesive solutions tailored to client needs. With decades of staff tenure, we maintain consistent client relationships and prioritize long-term project success. Our team excels in technically complex spaces like data centers and laboratories while ensuring budget and schedule alignment.We actively engage clients throughout all project phases, from pre-design to move-in, and maintain professional affiliations including AIA, IIDA, and LEED certification. Our international project experience and adaptive work environment enable scalable solutions for projects of all sizes. By fostering repeat client relationships, we deepen our understanding of client priorities and deliver informed decision-making. Our services span architectural design, construction support, sustainable design, and facility management, supported by licensure in over 30 states.
Services
Architectural Design
Interior Design
Construction Support
Move & Facility Management
Sustainable Design
Details
- Year established: 1988
Highlights and features
- We maintain long-tenured staff with decades of collective experience
- Our team holds professional certifications including AIA, IIDA, and LEED
- We implement an integrated design approach combining art and engineering
- We guarantee consistent client involvement throughout all project phases
- Our technical expertise spans complex spaces like laboratories and data centers
Associations and certifications
- AIA
- IIDA
- CFM
- LEED
Services
Architectural Design
Our architectural design services combine technical expertise with creative vision to create functional, aesthetically pleasing spaces. We specialize in complex projects including laboratories, data centers, and corporate headquarters. Our team ensures each design balances budget constraints, schedule requirements, and technical specifications while maintaining visual appeal and user-centric functionality.
Interior Design
We create tailored interior environments that reflect client brand identity while optimizing functionality. Our services include space planning, furniture design, finish specification, and corporate branding coordination. We maintain sensitivity to clients' aesthetic visions while applying technical expertise in materials, lighting, and spatial organization to create productive, inspiring environments.
Construction Support
Our construction support services ensure design intent translates to built reality. We provide construction documentation, bidding assistance, and on-site observation. Our team coordinates with contractors to maintain quality control, manage budgets, and resolve field issues. We offer limited construction management capabilities and maintain relationships with specialty engineers to support complex technical requirements.
Facility Services
We help organizations optimize their built environments through comprehensive facility services. Our offerings include space planning, furniture coordination, move management, and corporate standards implementation. We develop facility branding strategies and manage inventory systems for furniture, fixtures, and equipment. Our team supports reorganization projects and tenant coordination efforts.
Sustainable Design
We integrate sustainable principles throughout the design process to create energy-efficient, environmentally responsible buildings. Our LEED-certified professionals apply technical expertise in energy systems, material selection, and water conservation. We balance sustainability goals with functional requirements and budget constraints to deliver high-performance buildings that meet certification standards while maintaining aesthetic quality.
People
Kerry Knott
Executive Principal
AIA Executive Principal with decades of experience leading complex architectural projects. Specializes in technical spaces and sustainable design while maintaining focus on client relationships and project execution.
John Bell
Principal
AIA Principal with extensive expertise in architectural design and construction coordination. Focuses on delivering technically sophisticated projects while maintaining budget and schedule discipline across diverse building types.
Justin Murray
Partner
AIA Partner and LEED AP with specialization in sustainable design and complex technical projects. Brings technical expertise to data centers and laboratory environments while maintaining design integrity.
Debra Ryan
Director of Interiors
IIDA Director of Interiors with CFM certification. Leads interior design initiatives focusing on corporate branding, space planning, and furniture specification while maintaining sensitivity to client aesthetic visions.
Denise Staples
Interiors
IIDA-certified interior designer with NCIDQ and LEED credentials. Specializes in creating functional, aesthetically pleasing spaces through comprehensive space planning and finish material selection.
Questions
What architectural services do you offer?
We provide full-service architectural solutions including pre-design, schematic design, construction documentation, and post-construction support for commercial and technical spaces.
Do you handle interior design projects?
Yes, our interior design team offers space planning, furniture design, finish specification, and corporate branding coordination services for commercial environments.
Are you licensed in multiple states?
We maintain professional licensure in over 30 U.S. states and can typically register in additional states within 60 days.
What building types do you specialize in?
We specialize in technically complex spaces including laboratories, data centers, pharmaceutical facilities, and corporate headquarters while maintaining design excellence.
How do you approach project collaboration?
We employ a team-based approach with consistent client involvement throughout all project phases, from pre-design through construction administration and facility move-in.
Do you offer facility management services?
Yes, we provide facility services including space planning, furniture coordination, move management, and corporate standards implementation for ongoing facility optimization.
