Roots of Community

Kansas City faces underused land, housing shortages, and unequal access to jobs and services, especially in overlooked communities. Despite the challenges, the city has a long-lasting culture and a prosperous future ripe for a positive change.

With plenty of industrial land near jobs and transit, high housing demand, and strong investment interest, this project's neighborhood is ideal for inclusive, mixed-use redevelopment. A mix of transitional and ownership housing, great views, and public space align with city goals for equity, sustainability, and growth.

This project features point-loaded corridors, an expansive courtyard scheme, a cultural center, and a truly mixed-use development meant to encourage density and neighborhood recognition in the vibrant Paseo West neighborhood of Kansas City, MO.

Roots of Community create resilient foundations. Nourish is a landscape and urban design approach that focuses on designing for ecosystems. Nearly 90,000 sqft—the majority of the site—is green space. Our courtyard features spaces for gathering, play, food production, and ecology. Aside from the interior courtyard, we utilize green space to extend outward to Paseo West by designing bioswales that support an urban ecosystem for plants, animals, and people. 

The Vine is our cultural center—our design for equity. Named after nature and the nearby 18th & Vine Jazz District, it includes youth and co-working spaces, a high school–style gym, and an art gallery that symbolically and physically unites the community. Flourish is our workforce development hub—designing for long-term change. Roughly 30,000 sqft supports upward economic mobility by providing: workforce training, a grocery store, daycare, rooftop agriculture, and a business incubation program. These programs make life easier and provide support and development to help members of Paseo West flourish.

The Village is grounded by multigenerational housing. Modular construction and point-access stairwells increase usage of our FAR, decrease the time of construction, and create opportunities for gathering. This design anchors dwelling units and creates shared landings—moments for neighborly connection. It’s a simple, scalable model for national adoption. The village is where multi-generational housing becomes cultural soil - growing access, opportunity, and community in Paseo West.