Our team is growing, and we’re looking to fill a couple positions. With some exciting projects on the horizon, ideal candidates are eager to get involved in order to realize creative and forward-thinking results. Above all else, a positive and collaborative spirit is critical. For more information, please see the individual job descriptions for: Architect / Designer or Senior Preservation Architect.

Following a renovation in 2011, Cherry Hall’s first through third floors were converted to provide offices, labs, and classrooms for several departments while the fourth floor was functionally left unassigned. Last summer, IAA was commissioned to renovate it, converting the floor into office, lounge, seminar and support spaces for three separate academic departments: Criminal Justice & Criminology, Honors College and Philosophy.

IAA worked with each department to develop a program and plan to accommodate all, and which featured modern and functional aesthetics, spaces and building systems. Key areas were reconfigured by selectively demolishing existing, non-structural CMU walls, in order to increase functionality, open up stunning views to the campus and Nelson-Atkins Museum, and introduce ample natural light into spaces. Sophisticated and attractive finishes are supplemented by timeless yet understated elements in order to provide a pleasing aesthetic program with pops of visual interest. Renovated areas are versatile and flexible as they aim to promote healthy work habits, as well as to facilitate dialogue, collaboration and professional exploration. They include a lobby and lounge area, offices, conference and seminar spaces, break areas and updated restrooms and support spaces.

We sincerely enjoyed working with UMKC faculty and staff to realize this exciting outcome, and look forward to seeing them thrive within their new workplace.

Above: UMKC Vice Chancellor, Sharon Lindenbaum and the Dean of the UMKC Honors College, James McKusick perform the ribbon cutting, ushering in a new era in Cherry Hall. 

Check out updated Cherry Hall fourth floor below: