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Corrigan Building Renovation receives regional USGBC Award

Each year the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) presents awards to work that has been influential in the expansion of sustainable, higher-performing buildings. On Tuesday, August 6 the USGBC West North Central Region recognized the work of Helix Architecture + Design with an Award of Merit for our renovation of the Thomas Corrigan Building. This redevelopment showcases Helix’s continued commitment to restore and revitalize historic buildings in Kansas City’s urban core. Helix Principal Evan Fox, AIA and Vince Bryant, founder of 3D Development, accepted the award, which was presented by USGBC CEO Mahesh Ramanujam.

 

The development and design team mindfully approached the renovation to integrate sustainable strategies whenever possible.

Located in the heart of the Crossroads Arts District, the 123,000 SF Corrigan Building is rich with Kansas City history. Once home to the Veteran’s Administration, a U.S. Post Office, and the famous Donnelly Garment Company, it was completed in 1921 and played a prominent role in the growth of Kansas City for nearly 50 years.

Co-owners and co-developers Copaken Brooks and 3D Development saw the building’s potential to become a hub of activity, with its ideal location near the streetcar route and in the middle of other new construction and renovations happening in the area.

Tenants are a mix of entrepreneurs, designers, and a prestigious restaurant. The development and design team mindfully approached the renovation to integrate sustainable strategies whenever possible, which extended Corrigan Station’s useful life with energy efficient systems, healthy interior materials, and a solar canopy.

 

The sustainability strategies have resulted in the following:

  • LEED Silver Certification
  • 98% of existing envelope and structural elements within the building were reused
  • The project uses 41% less energy compared to ASHRAE 90.1-2007 baseline
  • 97% of regularly occupied spaces have access to views
  • 77% of the roof is covered with high albedo materials, reducing the building’s contribution to the heat island effect in downtown Kansas City.

As an overall facility, Corrigan Station has already proven to be immensely successful, just a couple of years after its completion:

  • The lower level is home to Corvino Supper Club and Tasting Room, an upscale restaurant that uses seasonal ingredients sourced from local farms and small purveyors.
  • The entire building has maintained 100 percent occupancy since it opened.
  • Three floors of the building brought Kansas City its first WeWork location.

Congratulations to our clients, engineering partners, contractor and all design team members. Successful projects are only possible through strong partnerships, and this award is a celebration of our collaboration.

Architectural photography by Bob Greenspan and WeWork. Event photography provided by USGBC.