Meet the 2018-19 KCDC Studio
/As a studio, before moving forward and discussing our project any more we wanted to take a moment to introduce ourselves so that when you visit our Instagram (@KCDesignCenter) or read through our newsletter you will be able to put a name to a face.
ALEX OVERBAY
Department: Architecture
Where are you from?: Independence, MO
Study Abroad or Internship: Internship at HOK in Tampa, FL.
Why did you choose the KCDC Program?: “I chose KCDC for the unique opportunity to work on real design studies for Kansas City with students from multiple design disciplines.”
What has been your favorite part of the project so far?: “My favorite part has been the research. I enjoy learning the history of the city I grew up in and I'm excited to help make it a better place through design.”
What are you looking forward to with the project?: “I'm looking forward to learning how to blend our skills between architects, landscape architects and planners to make our designs stronger than they would be if we worked independently.”
What is your favorite thing about being in Kansas City?: “I personally love being close to my family while I'm finishing my last year of school. It's good to be home.”
Are you missing anything from being on campus?: “There may have been a bigger selection of secondary classes to choose from, but I still enjoy the classes I was able to find here in Kansas City.”
ANDREW YOUNG
Department: Urban Planning
Where are you from?: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Study Abroad or Internship: Internship at TranSystems Corporation in Kansas City, MO.
Why did you choose the KCDC Program?: “My interest in urban design compelled me to attend school in Kansas City rather than returning to Manhattan. Hands-on experience provided in this setting will be invaluable as I seek a career post-graduation.”
What has been your favorite part of the project so far?: “Discovering all the nuances of an area in Kansas City I’m unfamiliar with.”
What are you looking forward to with the project?: “Finishing.”
What is your favorite thing about being in Kansas City?: “The amount of cultural opportunities to engage in and the pride citizens feel toward their community.”
Are you missing anything from being on campus?: “Of course, nothing beats game-day in Manhattan.”
ASHTON MCWHORTER
Department: Architecture
Where are you from?: Overland Park, Kansas
Study Abroad or Internship: Internship at Merriman Anderson Architects in Dallas, TX.
Why did you choose the KCDC Program?: “The opportunity to work cross-disciplinary in a studio interested me the most and having the experience of working on an Urban Design project.”
What has been your favorite part of the project so far?: “My favorite part of the project so far has been looking at the history of the project area and learning how to map information.”
What are you looking forward to with the project?: “I am looking forward to starting to narrow down areas of focus and begin planning and designing.”
What is your favorite thing about being in Kansas City?: “My favorite part about being in Kansas City is being able to live at home and going home to my dogs everyday.”
Are you missing anything from being on campus?: “The thing I miss most about Manhattan is the community of friends in the college of Architecture, and not being on campus for my brother’s first year of college.”
BASIL FREEMAN
Department: Architecture
Where are you from?: Kansas City, Missouri
Study Abroad or Internship: Internship at BRR Architecture.
Why did you choose the KCDC Program?: “A great opportunity to study in Kansas City”
What has been your favorite part of the project so far?: “Looking at broad scale information that deals with the condition of Kansas City.”
What are you looking forward to with the project?: “To see what kinds of improvements would be needed for the study area.”
What is your favorite thing about being in Kansas City?: “Access to all the amenities of downtown.”
CALEB WAGNER
Department: Landscape Architecture
Where are you from?: Kansas City, Missouri
Study Abroad or Internship: Internship at EDSA in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
Why did you choose the KCDC Program?: “I am interested in Urban Design and want to further develop my knowledge and skills of understanding and designing for the future urban environment.”
What has been your favorite part of the project so far?: “Being able to work in a real life setting and a place that has been a part of my life since birth.”
What are you looking forward to with the project?: “Giving back to the great city of Kansas City.”
What is your favorite thing about being in Kansas City?: “It will always be home.”
CHARLIE VUE
Department: Architecture
Where are you from?: Kansas City, Missouri
Study Abroad or Internship: Internship at HTK in Topeka, KS.
Why did you choose the KCDC Program?: “I plan to work in KC for a long time after graduation, and I believe the KCDC program is a great place to start. I hope to work effectively with my fellow classmates for the community and learn more about Kansas City along the way.”
What has been your favorite part of the project so far?: “The best part so far is working with others and pinning up our work, remembering that everything that is done is done collectively and for the people of Prospect.”
What are you looking forward to with the project?: “I am looking forward to drawing analyses of where potential nodes along Prospect may be as well as envisioning how they may help the communities around them.”
What is your favorite thing about being in Kansas City?: “I enjoy walking through the various areas of Kansas City such as downtown or the city market and eating the food around there.”
Are you missing anything from being on campus?: “There are three things that I miss: I miss my friends who are on campus, I definitely miss the Chester E. Peters Recreation Complex, and I miss shopping at Dillons.”
CHELSEY THIBODO
Department: Architecture
Where are you from?: Kansas City, Kansas
Study Abroad or Internship: N/A
Why did you choose the KCDC Program?: “To be closer to home.”
What has been your favorite part of the project so far?: “ Learning about the history of Kansas City.”
What are you looking forward to with the project?: “The end! Seeing what recommendations we come up with!”
What is your favorite thing about being in Kansas City?: “It’s home.”
Are you missing anything from being on campus?: “Radina’s”
DENNIS TONG
Department: Architecture
Where are you from?: Belton, Missouri
Study Abroad or Internship: Internship at HOK in Tampa, FL.
Why did you choose the KCDC Program?: “It’s a unique opportunity for a different style of learning!”
What has been your favorite part of the project so far?: “Understanding the needs and wants of a the Prospect Corridor and thinking of way to improve the lives and health of its residents.”
What are you looking forward to with the project?: “I’m really looking forward to pulling a project together that will help the residents of KC!”
What is your favorite thing about being in Kansas City?: “I love the culture and environment of the area. It’s also really great to have a studio downtown to take in and understand the urban fabric of Kansas City.”
Are you missing anything from being on campus?: “Chick fil a always being close by.”
ELANA CARTER
Department: Architecture
Where are you from?: Quincy, Illinois
Study Abroad or Internship: Internship at HTK in Overland Park, KS
Why did you choose the KCDC Program?: “Because I was excited to be apart of a program that focuses on group projects and city improvements, and I was also excited to work downtown in the great city of Kansas City.”
What has been your favorite part of the project so far?: “Collaborating with other students, and getting to know a new part of the city.”
What are you looking forward to with the project?: “To see the outcome of a new vision that can actually help people in this area.”
What is your favorite thing about being in Kansas City?: “The architecture, food, and the people.”
Are you missing anything from being on campus?: “Trees.”
GEORGE AGUILAR
Department: Architecture
Where are you from?: Kansas City, Missouri
Study Abroad or Internship: Design build of an integrated water management system that articulated the pre-existing qualities of the space.
Why did you choose the KCDC Program?: “The integration of the KCDC into their community allows for design complexities to be solved through unique avenues of focus.”
What has been your favorite part of the project so far?: “Working as a group has been an integral part of the current process and provides multiple perspectives which challenge the initial thoughts of just one individual.”
What are you looking forward to with the project?: “The integration of the KCDC and the community is the one aspect of which I am most excited about.”
What is your favorite thing about being in Kansas City?: “The culture in Kansas City is truly unique and there is no place like in the world.”
Are you missing anything from being on campus?: “The campus amenities.”
JADENN KELLEY
Department: Architecture
Where are you from?: Independence, Missouri
Study Abroad or Internship: Internship at Merriman Anderson Architecture in Dallas, TX.
Why did you choose the KCDC Program?: “I found it interesting that the departments mix and the strong connection to KC.”
What has been your favorite part of the project so far?: “Precedent study, its interesting to see where this project could go”
What are you looking forward to with the project?: “I can't wait to get to the nodes, and really implementing the culture of Prospect into.”
What is your favorite thing about being in Kansas City?: “Being close to my family.”
JAYE PETERS
Department: Architecture
Where are you from?: Shawnee, Kansas
Study Abroad or Internship: Study Abroad in Orvieto, Italy.
Why did you choose the KCDC Program?: “I wanted to be challenged in a different way than I have been before in my academic career. Working as a team on a project is something I knew I needed to begin preparing for and KCDC offers the perfect opportunity for this. Not to mention the networking and truly hands-on experience that comes with being located in the heart of downtown!”
What has been your favorite part of the project so far?: “The site visit! It was more informative than I'd imagined it would be and I love the fact that our studio is so closely located to our site. I also enjoy that, because it is a group effort, I am being introduced to so many new people and their strengths. I definitely have something to learn from each and every one of my classmates.”
What are you looking forward to with the project?: “Potentially making a difference not only on the Prospect Corridor, but in the city as a whole. Prospect is a major artery of East KC and through successful design decisions, the identity of the Corridor can have major positive changes.”
What is your favorite thing about being in Kansas City?: “Besides being close to my family, I really enjoy the feeling of being in a downtown setting. I feel as though it connects our studio to a large variety of people and information that we can use to further our project that would just not be available in a small town like Manhattan.”
Are you missing anything from being on campus?: “Of course I miss the classmates I have been in studio with for the last 4 years, and many of my previous professors, but I wouldn't change my situation.”
LAUREN SILVERS
Department: Architecture
Where are you from?: St. Louis, Missouri
Study Abroad or Internship: Internship at Bergman, Walls & Associates in Las Vegas, NV.
Why did you choose the KCDC Program?: “The collaboration aspect.”
What has been your favorite part of the project so far?: “Inventory Mapping.”
What are you looking forward to with the project?: “The development of Nodes”
What is your favorite thing about being in Kansas City?: “KC is my second home, all my friends and family are here.”
Are you missing anything from being on campus?: “College Campus Experience.”
MICHAEL WEST
Department: Architecture
Where are you from?: Kansas City, Missouri
Study Abroad or Internship: Study Abroad in Orvieto, Italy
Why did you choose the KCDC Program?: “To learn about the planning profession and urban design in a more real context.”
What has been your favorite part of the project so far?: “Learning from the landscape architects and planners.”
What are you looking forward to with the project?: “Developing my skills as an urban designer.”
What is your favorite thing about being in Kansas City?: “The local culture and food.”
Are you missing anything from being on campus?: “Just Pizza Shuttle.”
RACHEL RANKIN
Department: Landscape Architecture
Where are you from?: Kansas City, Missouri
Study Abroad or Internship: Study Abroad in Copenhagen, and Internship at Clark Condon Associates in Houston, TX.
Why did you choose the KCDC Program?: “Having a studio in a downtown area is such a rejuvenating feeling and really inspires me day to day. This is also a unique studio in that it is much more collaborative than most other academic environments.”
What has been your favorite part of the project so far?: “I really appreciate that we are doing in-depth analysis and mapping. This step is crucial for a project this size in determining issues and problem-solving, which typically gets cut short due to deadlines.”
What are you looking forward to with the project?: “I am hoping that some of our findings actually lead to real solutions within the Prospect corridor community.”
What is your favorite thing about being in Kansas City?: “Living in Kansas City and having a studio in the downtown area is such a unique experience for K-State students. KC is progressing and becoming a city where young people thrive, business is booming, and everyone still has a mid-western attitude.”
Are you missing anything from being on campus?: “K-State games.”
REGAN TOKOS
Department: Urban Planning
Where are you from?: Omaha, Nebraska
Study Abroad or Internship: Interned at Confluence.
Why did you choose the KCDC Program?: “I wanted to be in Kansas City and do a project grounded in reality.”
What has been your favorite part of the project so far?: “Making maps”
What are you looking forward to with the project?: “Engaging with the community.”
What is your favorite thing about being in Kansas City?: “All the fun activities and art in the city.”
Are you missing anything from being on campus?: “Mainly missing some of the campus communities and activities I had to leave behind.”
SAM GREEN
Department: Architecture
Where are you from?: Lee’s Summit, Missouri
Study Abroad or Internship: Interned in San Francisco
Why did you choose the KCDC Program?: “I chose the KCDC program because I liked the aspect of doing studio in an Urban Environment and working with people from other disciplines.”
What has been your favorite part of the project so far?: “My favorite part of the project has been learning more about the history and demographics of Kansas City.”
What are you looking forward to with the project?: “I'm looking forward to developing a plan for the Prospect corridor which will be a great challenge considering its history and location.”
What is your favorite thing about being in Kansas City?: “I love the rapid urban renewal currently happening in the city.”
Are you missing anything from being on campus?: “Not really. I'm much more of an urban guy. It's much easier to focus on studio without all the distractions that come with the university campus life.”
SPENCER ANDERSEN
Department: Landscape Architecture
Where are you from?: Kansas City, Missouri
Study Abroad or Internship: Studied Abroad in Orvieto, Italy. Interned at Kimley-Horn Associates in McKinney, Texas.
Why did you choose the KCDC Program?: “I wanted to work in an urban design studio with real stakeholders.”
What has been your favorite part of the project so far?: “Mapping.”
What are you looking forward to with the project?: “Making the concept of our design for Prospect.”
What is your favorite thing about being in Kansas City?: “I like being downtown.”
Are you missing anything from being on campus?: “I miss the campus experience.”
STASHA THOMAS
Department: Architecture
Where are you from?: Tucson, Arizona
Study Abroad or Internship: Post-Bacc Student. Interning at Eco Abet in Kansas City.
Why did you choose the KCDC Program?: “I wanted to be back in a city and I admired the projects I had seen coming out of KCDC. I have moved around throughout my college experience (it’s been six years now including my undergrad) and a lot of that comes from wanting to understand different city cultures and therefore taking every opportunity to jump to a different area of the country. I liked the idea of it being a mock architecture firm format as well, where collaboration is key.”
What has been your favorite part of the project so far?: “I have enjoyed getting to understand Kansas City better since I am not originally from here. I have formed an understanding of injustices in the past that have formed its current makeup.”
What are you looking forward to with the project?: “I am excited to actually get to designing - which is still in the far future of this project. I want to help develop ideas that can benefit people along Prospect and help to create a cultural corridor that draws people from around Kansas City. I hope to aid in a new mindset that connects places and people.”
What is your favorite thing about being in Kansas City?: “Immersing myself in a totally different city from places I have lived before - Tucson, Omaha, Boston, Los Angeles, Manhattan, now Kansas City, all so different and unique. I enjoying hearing Kansas City's history and how its created the framework. I love being surrounded by art, food, festivals, music, people, and so much more that make this city what it is.”
Are you missing anything from being on campus?: “Honestly, not really. Although, I do miss working in Weigel Library and chatting with Maxine Ganske every day. There were relationships I formed and places I liked in Manhattan, but I was ready to move forward.”