Performing Arts

Kansas City, MO

Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts

This monumental project has the warmth of Douglas fir, red oak, and yellow cedar to enhance the design. Conceived to resemble a “finely tuned instrument”, it is equipped with state-of-the-art acoustics and technology. Even at its cathedral-like scale, it suspends a sense of intimacy.

Architect

Moshe Safdie and Associates

General Contractor

J. E. Dunn Construction Company

Conceived to resemble a “finely tuned instrument”, it is equipped with state-of-the-art acoustics and technology.

At Mark Richey Woodworking, we view challenges as intricate puzzles, similar to how woodworkers approach their craft. However, our approach involves teamwork to solve problems and execute projects on a large scale.

Even at its cathedral-like scale, it suspends a sense of intimacy.

A passion for materials

Originally drawn as a solid wood project, we realized immediately that this concept would present big problems given the size of the facility. Movement in the wood would become an issue after a while; color would be all over the place; there would be an incredible waste of resources; and it would be hugely expensive. So we said, ‘What if we did it in veneer instead?,’ and then we came up with a process to do this that had never been used in a commercial application before.

This monumental project has the warmth of Douglas fir, red oak, and yellow cedar to enhance the design.

This project presented many challenges, complex geometry coupled with stringent acoustic performance requirements. Kudos to Ritch Winokur and Richey's engineering group on tackling the design aspect, and the shop team for its expert craftmanship

Kevin McPartland

JE Dunn Construction

Recognition

A complex project executed over the course of three years, we received the Architectural Woodwork Institute’s Standard of Excellence award in 2012.