During the 2011 AIA Convention in New Orleans we had the chance to sit down and talk with Steve McDowell, Principal and Director of Design of BNIM, the 2011 Architecture Firm of the Year. BNIM was founded over 40 years ago with a commitment to design excellence. Currently at the top of their game the Kansas City, Missouri headquartered firm has worked with high profile architects such as Steven Holl to produce the multi-award winning Block Building expansion for the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, they have contributed to advancing education of building sustainability with their innovative design of the Omega Center for Sustainable Living, which is the first project in the world to achieve both ‘Living’ Status and LEED Platinum, and BNIM’s scope of work also includes more rural projects such as the Midwest Retreat.
Steven Holl shared, “We selected BNIM Architects because of their focus on innovation, impeccable reputation and stature, but we got much more from them. With the exacting level of care and commitment to Architecture, the collaboration was the best our firm has experienced.”
BNIM’s excellence in design and sustainability has been acknowledge by receiving over 300 design awards on the local, regional, and national level. Their 7 COTE Top Ten Green awards, 3 GSA Design Excellence Awards, 20 honor and design excellence awards by seven different AIA Chapters, and two National AIA Honor Awards is a testament to their process of integration and collaboration with clients and consultants, creating designs that reflect a balance of people, planet and prosperity.
Additional projects by BNIM featured on ArchDaily include:
