Kansas City, Mo., July 09, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Kansas City Art Institute (KCAI) will break ground on a new student residence hall and dining center on Thursday, July 12 at 9 a.m. Located along Warwick Blvd south of the campus gates, the building will house a 244-bed residence hall, the Wylie Dining Center and the Nerman Café. The residence hall went from wish list to reality following a $10 million lead gift by an anonymous donor, given through the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation last year.
The new facility is designed by award-winning Helix Architecture + Design. Helix designers Doug Stockman and Alissa Wehmueller, along with Christopher Carvell of Denver, Colo., designed the new building to look beyond traditional student housing models and nurture the creativity and wellbeing of art students. Featuring double-occupancy semi-suites with private baths and cozy gathering spaces, plus a student gallery, large living room and gaming center, the building celebrates the unique individuality of each student while creating a sense of community. Kansas City-based JE Dunn Construction is the general contractor for the project.
“The contemporary student coming to KCAI to study deserves the best possible living space and the residence hall will be exactly what the students and their parents want - a home that is comfortable, relaxing and safe, with high connectivity. After a day of working in the studio, they can return to a supportive community and a place they can make their own,” said The Nerman Family President Tony Jones.
The residence hall is paired with the Wylie Dining Center and the Nerman Café. Both will be a welcoming first impression to prospective students, their families and the neighborhood. The dining facilities will serve a wide range of menu options and healthy alternatives and will be open to all.
About KCAI
Located in Kansas City, Mo. at 4415 Warwick, KCAI is a private, independent four-year college of art and design awarding the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with 13 studio majors. Founded in 1885, KCAI is Kansas City’s oldest arts organization. For more, visit www.kcai.edu.
Renderings of the new residence hall and dining facilities at KCAI can be downloaded at https://drive.google.com/open?id=1arTjP53tuod-u8ummbypHeZdJ1RiVWQM.
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