Lauren Harness Program Director

Lauren Harness, a licensed architect from Western Kansas, is dedicated to designing spaces that strengthen communities. A Kansas State University graduate, she developed a passion for early ideation and community-driven projects, starting with a city park visioning and capital campaign. Her career spans adaptive reuse in Kansas City, campus master planning with Ennead Architects in New York, and mission-driven design with MASS Design Group in Boston. Now Director of the Kansas City Design Center, Lauren advances community access to design and prepares students to address urban challenges and shape a better future.