Grand Ballroom in Kansas City, United States

April 16, 2011 Category: Cultural, Public Buildings

The Grand Ballroom designed by Editorial is located in Kansas City, United States. The intent was to create a civic place with a distinct memorable character. The building’s form responds to the original exhibition hall’s robust character and is a contextual effort to complement the sculptural forms of a nearby theater and arena.

Principle building facades are composed of a column system carrying sunscreens and a horizontal canopy, set in front of a curtain wall. The exterior’s crisp geometry is a restrained prelude to a fluid decorative motif of the interior. Within the space, sculptural form, reflection and pattern are varied references to water and connect the space with the city, which is located at the confluence of the Kansas and Missouri rivers and known as the “City of Fountains”. Light flowing into the ballroom through a translucent stretched membrane varies throughout the day and connects occupants with the outside. The clerestory light can also be blacked-out or color-animated to achieve dramatic effects.

Grand Ballroom design Exterior