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Our History

The Kansas City Design Center grew out of the Regents Center for Architectural Studies, a joint initiative between the architecture programs at KU and KSU established in 1988.

In 1992, the Kansas City Center for Design Education and Research was established to coordinate and facilitate undergraduate and graduate professional education, conduct urban related design research, provide professional development and public education programs, and conduct community-wide public service activities. The name of the organization was simplified to Kansas City Design Center in 1994.

In June 2003, the KCDC was incorporated as a Missouri not-for-profit and certified as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization by the Internal Revenue Service.

The KCDC was originally housed with the Regents Center design studios at Epperson House on the UMKC campus. The KCDC relocated to the Westport studios of Gould Evans Goodman Associates from 1997 to 2000. From 2001-2007, the KCDC shared office space with the Downtown Council.

In July 2007, the KCDC opened its downtown studio facility in a rehabilitated storefront on Baltimore Avenue. The new facility features a working studio, classroom and conference space, a display gallery and review space, as well as a workroom, lounge and faculty office space. Our downtown presence is supported by our underwriters and DST Realty.