Legends & Leaders
This video series highlights AIA Kansas City architects and others who have helped shape the Kansas City community, lead the our chapter, and mentor new generations of designers.
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Stephen Abend, FAIA
Stephen Abend, a leader in design in the Kansas City region, discusses early influence in his career, including the design lessons
learned from his college mentor Leslie Laskey. This interview will be followed up in the future with a discussion of his favorite projects, AIA Involvement and advice to young architects.
Elizabeth Amirahmadi, AIA
Meet Elizabeth Amirahmadi, AIA, and learn about her success as a designer, business owner, and AIA member. She discusses the challenges of a family-owned business and some of the firm’s successes including the Kansas City Museum and the delightful DC 3 taking off from the roof of the Roasterie Coffee Company building.
Neal Angrisano, AIA
Neal Angrisano, AIA, discusses his career in practice and as an owner representative. Actively involved in local and national AIA activities, Neal explains the value of service and networking within the profession. His photography hobby and other interests are also explored.
Former Kansas City, MO Mayor Kay Barnes
Kay Barnes, the Kansas City mayor who led efforts to revitalize downtown, discusses her perspective on working with architects, her successful public initiatives, and some interesting life experiences. Find out the links to TV news anchor Walter Cronkite and KU basketball star Wilt Chamberlain.
Bob Berkebile, FAIA
Bob discusses his early career, including the design of MCI, the formation of BNIM, and his national leadership on environmental issues. Learning to address failure and advice to young professionals round out this enlightening interview.
Jim Calcara, AIA, and Marvin Manlove, AIA
Jim Calcara, AIA, and Marvin Manlove, AIA, discuss their early careers, establishing their firm CDFM², downtown projects, including the Sprint Center, and some humorous experiences with the Avenue of the Arts initiative. They also discuss their alumni leadership at Kansas State University and the contributions of Paul Duffendack, AIA, a partner and leader in numerous AIA and environmental initiatives.
Kirk Gastinger, FAIA
Kirk Gastinger, FAIA, discusses influences on his career from educators, early work experiences, and as a founder of Gastinger/Walker. As a national leader on environmental issues, Kirk describes the creation of the AIA Committee on the Environment (COTE) and other environmental activities. Leadership on the locally initiated CUBE learning experience and work with the AIA Kansas City are also reviewed.
Clarence Kivett, FAIA
Clarence Kivett, FAIA, recognized as a major local force in the modern architecture style, Clarence was instrumental in the shaping of our city and in encouraging young architects to succeed. Kivett and Myers, in addition to designing major projects in Kansas City, served as a platform for the creation of over forty local and regional architectural firms, an achievement in which Kivett took pride. Current perspectives from leaders that worked with him are provided in this video along with a 1989 KCPT Skylines interview lead by Linda Young.
Cydney Millstein
Cydney Millstein is a unique resource in the Kansas City community. An accomplished architectural historian, Cydney was one of three national Honorary AIA recipients in 2023. Cydney discusses her interest and starting in the field. She also reviews her favorite projects and people who have influenced her career.
Tom Nelson, FAIA
Tom reflects on his AIA involvement, Linda Young, and the success of BNIM. Among the wide range of architectural projects Tom has designed, Tom talks about the entry to the Kansas City Zoo and the transition space between the original Nelson-Atkins building and the new addition as two of his favorites.
Vicki Noteis, AIA
Vicki Noteis, AIA, discusses the evolving role of women in architecture and her experiences, including serving as the first woman president of the AIA Kansas City Chapter. She provides insights into the development of the FOCUS Kansas City strategic plan and her experiences as the Director of City Planning.
Vernon Reed, FAIA
Vernon Reed, FAIA, discusses his early interests in architecture, studies at the University of Arkansas, practice experiences, and his involvements with the AIA. Vernon was instrumental at the national AIA level as a Board Member, and in fostering the adoptions of copyright laws protecting the intellectual property of our work.
Michael Shaughnessy, AIA
Michael Shaughnessy, AIA, discuses his early career, the formation of Shaughnessy Fickel Scott, now SFS Architecture, and some of his favorite projects. A leader in civic and religious architecture in our region, Michael ties his work with his strong religious beliefs. He discusses working with Michael Fickel, AIA, and Mike’s contribution to the AIA Kansas City.
Kite Singleton, FAIA
Kite Singleton, FAIA, recaps early international influences and work, leading to the formation of Abend/Singleton Associates. His perspectives on public service and the challenges of implementing public transportation are explored along with an interest in reinvigorating areas in mid-town and the northeast areas of Kansas City.
Joy Swallow, FAIA
Joy Swallow discusses the creation and success of the UMKC programs in architecture and planning. She highlights the contributions of Ted Seligson, FAIA and others along with her perspective on involvement with the AIA.
Homer williams, FAIA
What is it like to live in a Frank Lloyd Wright home? Hear Homer's saga related to the Bott house. Homer talks about his national leadership on the NCARB accrediting organization. Reflections on his early career and his decision to pursue a doctorate in architecture round out this discussion.
Linda Ervin Young, Hon. AIA
Susan Mosby and Vernon Reed, FAIA, discuss the passing of Linda Young, Hon. AIA, one of the most effective executive directors of our chapter. Excerpts of Linda’s 1980’s interviews from the KCPT Skylines program include many of our chapter leaders including Clarence Kivett, James Calcara, Bruce Patty, Dean and Ginny Graves, and others.
Frank Zilm, FAIA
What does the Broadway bridge, hitchhiking and building blocks have to do with a successful career? Frank ZIlm explores what it takes to have a trusting practice, his unusual start with the AIA, and advice to the next generation.
