NSPJ Architects - 50 Years

N E A R I N G

S T A A T S

NSPJ

P R E L O G A R

&

J O N E S

AR C H I T E C T S

1961

2011 Y E A R S

A I A

C H A R T E R E D

T able

1 2 3

of

C ontents

Introduction Letter Design Philosophy Practice Philosophy

4 Residential Projects Custom Residences

Custom Residence Remodels

Patio Homes and Villas

Multi-Family Developments

Clubhouses

Interior Design

Residential Landscape Master Plans

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Commercial Projects

Clubhouses

Entry Monuments

Land Planning

Commercial Landscape

Restaurant

Tenant Finish

Office Buildings

Retail

Mixed Use

92 History 93 Employee Group Photo 94 Index of Projects

Photography by Dana Anderson, Theresa Sipe Curtis, Kiley S. Darden, Ken Hayden, Cathy Kudelko, James Maidhof, Rob McHenry, Robert Reck, Alistair Tutton

Published by Rockhill Books, an Imprint of Kansas City Star Books 1729 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, Missouri 64108

Edited by NSPJ Architects

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior consent of the publisher.

Design by Kiley S. Darden, Brian Grubb

All rights reserved. Copyright Š 2011 by NSPJ Architects

First edition, first printing ISBN: 978-1-61169-006-4 Printed in the United States.

I ntroduction When I started my professional career, working at the architectural firm of Edward W. Tanner and Associates in 1951, I never dreamed I’d be here today, writing this introduction to celebrate 50 years of business for the firm I would found 10 years later. Yet, here I am trying to express a multitude of thoughts I can only begin to convey …my gratitude to the many who’ve shaped this path, my thankfulness for the success we’ve realized over the years and my hope and confidence of a strong and prosperous future for this company left in the capable hands of those who’ve grasped the vision and make NSPJ Architects what it is today.

It is of great importance to mention the influence my ten years working under the direction of Edward W. Tanner had in shaping my career and ultimately, NSPJ Architects. With Tanner as my mentor, working in the Country Club Plaza/ Country Club District, I was exposed very early on to good design and developed good design habits which continue to carry through in the work of NSPJ Architects today. During my time working under Tanner, I became an associate and Chief Designer, having a lot of exposure to residential design.

At the same time, I did a fair amount of residential design on my own time, in evenings and on the weekends. Over time I developed enough of a reputation for providing unique custom home designs that I eventually ventured out on my own and started my own practice in 1961, Howard H. Nearing, Architect AIA. Though I’m always up for adventure, it became clear fairly early on that I would need some help on this new venture. That’s when I called a long-time friend and colleague, Stan Staats. We were in school together, fraternity brothers and worked at Tanner together. I was the big picture design guy and Stan was great with the details, construction and contract documents…or the architect’s language. It was a natural and successful fit that eventually became Nearing and Staats AIA Architects. As time went on, the success and continued growth of the firm proved itself to be solid, eventually requiring the growth of the leadership. In 1989, long time associates of the firm, Bill Prelogar, Jr. and Rick Jones

from

F ounding P artner

became Principal Architects, changing our name to Nearing Staats Prelogar and Jones AIA Architects Chartered. Since the beginning, striving for perfection in design and service has been foundational for the way we’ve run the practice.

It continues to be the mainstay today for all of the team at NSPJ architects, continuing the heritage that Stan and I started those many years ago.

Today I join the energetic staff at NSPJ regularly, still working at 83 years old, because I love the art of creating beauty in architecture. What follows on these pages is just a sampling of the work we’ve done these last 50 years. It is in no way a comprehensive view, for this book would get far too large with the firm having over 5,000 projects under its belt. Nonetheless, it is a good representation of the work that’s been enjoyed by many over the years and for years to come.

In mentioning the work that has come out of NSPJ, I would be remiss if I didn’t at least attempt to thank the numerous clients, contractors and colleagues whom it’s been a pleasure and privilege to work with throughout the years. Without you I would not have had a career and we would not have the architecture that we’ve all enjoyed over the years and still do today. The numbers are far too many to mention each by name, but if you’ll allow me to mention one person, my wife Ann, who has been by my side, being a strength and support from the very beginning.

At the end of the day, when it’s all said and done, my hope and our hope at NSPJ is that however you’ve experienced our work, whether in your daily life or through the pages of this book, we hope it shows that we always have and always will love creating beauty through architecture that works for our clients, their needs and for many more for generations to come

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D esign P hilosophy Our approach to design is very straightforward. We believe two things need to come together in a unique and harmonious way to make a successful project - our client’s program/needs and good design. We believe one cannot stand without the other because each gives the other purpose and an enduring quality that only occurs when they come together successfully.

The form of any building is derived from its purpose and function. The genesis of this process is to really learn who our clients are, listening carefully as they tell us their goals, visions and aspirations.

This becomes the essence or ‘language’ of the project. It’s only after we have a firm understanding of this, that we can bring our own design sense and nearly 500 years of collective experience to the table.

What makes ‘good design’? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and we have noticed that most ‘beholders’ find the same attributes beautiful…especially in regards to the built environment. They may not know why it is beautiful. They just know that it looks ‘right’. One has to ask ‘why?’ We believe there is a certain set of underlying rules that can seem ambiguous yet somehow absolute at the same time. If you understand and apply these rules, good design will follow. What we are talking about are the foundational tenets of proportion, balance, scale and a certain simplicity that makes it look and feel ‘right’…not complicated or overdone. There must be strict attention to detail and proper use of materials and ornamentation. The design should be holistic. From site selection to hanging the last picture, all design elements should be consistent with the project’s language. Having Architecture, Landscape and Interiors all in-house enables us to do this seamlessly, combining all disciplines for a cohesive design. Good design should be contextual. The sustainable, natural and built environments should be complemented by the design. Every project will have its own language that dictates style, but the foundational tenets of design should remain intact and be uncompromising.

A design should have a timeless and enduring quality. This does not necessarily translate to traditional design. Regardless of style or vernacular, a design should be able to survive changes in society and remain functionally attractive for an indefinite time.

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Striving for perfection in design and

P ractice P hilosophy We are, at heart, designers who love what we do, but we would fail if we ignored the interpersonal relationships that are the essence of what we do. On a daily basis, we work with people, both inside and outside our office. At the core of our business practice is a strong dedication to providing the best possible service on all levels and in every way for those people. We have learned that to do this you must nurture strong relationships. Doing so enables us to better know and therefore better serve the client, contractor and colleague alike.

We at NSPJ Architects require a great deal of ourselves. We must be hard-working and devoted to seeing every problem or opportunity through to its success. We must maintain integrity – being honest, open and straightforward toward all. We hold ourselves responsible and accountable. We must be conscientious and respectful in every way, giving credence and recognition where it is due. There must be loyalty that remembers and rewards the hard-work and loyalty of others.

Our devotion and commitment to successful relationships runs consistently throughout NSPJ. Being an employee-owned company, we have a vested interest in one another and in each other’s success. We nurture an atmosphere of collaboration that seamlessly incorporates all levels of experience, as well as the different disciplines of Architecture, Landscape and Interior Design. Though we may have different roles, responsibilities and levels of experience, we maintain a team mentality that’s respectful of the individual while understanding that together we make a greater whole. We cultivate an environment where all associates have an equal opportunity for advancement and growth. We are a group that enjoys having fun together. Beyond just helping us get along, we believe this fosters an environment that nurtures inventive and creative thought. Not only does it make for better design, but we believe that for us to be successful we should enjoy what we are doing and with whom we are doing it.

The last fifty years have served us well in teaching us what works. We hope your experience with us either has or will convince you that we at NSPJ Architects will always be striving for perfection in design and service in everything we do.

service is at the core of everything we do.

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A stately French chalet, designed to privately raise a family and entertain a multitude of friends, is set on a beautiful secluded site in Columbia, Missouri.

A well proportioned classic design with beautiful symmetry is 4

showcased in the two-story paneled library with balcony and spiral staircase.

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Thoughtful siting and a careful blend of the local rustic vernacular with the contemporary lifestyle of the client lends itself naturally to the expanses of glass, capturing the mountain views in this Summit County, Colorado writer’s residence.

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An English manor home reflecting its owner’s heritage provides an essentially maintenance-free exterior of copper, stone and slate. The interior is as exquisitely detailed and adorned, but provides the warm, expansive and comfortable spaces expected for modern family living. The challenging property provided a great opportunity for careful siting to afford spectacular views across suburban Johnson County, Kansas.

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Nestled in a beautiful tree covered setting in Mission Hills, Kansas, an authentic Mission style residence was carefully created to fit the active lifestyle of this athletic family.

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A porte-cochere accesses a secluded motor-court. The use of distressed plaster over 12� thick solid masonry walls, authentic wood windows, reclaimed Mission barrel tile roofing, and extensive landscaping reflect a residence that has been there a lifetime and was built to withstand the test of time.

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Authentic design, details and materials have created a Dutch Colonial that has found a home in Leawood, Kansas.

The home, of modest proportions, was carefully laid out to provide comfortable and spacious living areas suited to daily family life.

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This comfortable stone residence located in Mission Hills, Kansas was designed in a classic French vernacular. The client specified an extremely functional and efficient layout and self-provided the interior design which is well integrated with the architectural design.

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Combining French influences and the local vernacular, this distinctive Sun Valley, Idaho residence is carefully oriented to maximize views of Old Baldy Mountain while complementing the mountain environment.

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This magnificent waterfront property makes a natural setting for this shingle-style Colonial home we designed for a long time client. Its design, reflective of 18th and 19th Century New England coastal architecture, fits well into the context of its neighboring Wisconsin communities; Fish Creek and Egg Harbor, both of which contain many fine examples of architecture from that era.

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A little touch of Tuscany is sequestered in a wooded setting in Leawood, Kansas. The choice of natural materials within and on the exterior captures a comforting “old world� atmosphere, which is exemplified in the detail of the dramatic two-story stone tower and vaulted ceilings.

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This replacement residence in Mission Hills, Kansas blends outdoor living spaces naturally with the topography on its unique corner lot.

Timeless architectural details and the use of recycled slate roofing from the original residence integrates this home well into the established neighborhood.

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This interior remodel and renovation combines classic style with modern conveniences to maintain the warmth and charm of this historic stately manor.

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Overlooking the historic Lawrence Country Club, this Cape Cod inspired home takes advantage of the long vistas the openness of the golf course provides. The stylistic detailing of the exterior is expressed through the use of extensive trim work and the alternating exposure shingle siding, giving the home a refined, yet relaxed look.

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This mid-1970’s French farmhouse design with its heavy shake shingle roof, native stone, and stucco façade is located in Mission Hills, Kansas.

This home started the “Country French” design trend for this region that remains strong to this day.

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At an elevation of 7,600 feet, challenging site restrictions provided a fantastic opportunity to create a secluded retreat for the homeowner that captures million dollar views of Park City, Utah.

The unique design provides ski-in and ski-out access, affording convenience while maintaining privacy.

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This unique home sits on a seven acre, rolling, tree covered site in Blue Springs, Missouri. The prairie style inspired home was designed to fit a couple’s casual lifestyle and capture the splendor of its native surroundings.

This innovative design carries its refined exterior detailing effortlessly into the interior spaces.

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This home, on a magnificent hilltop site near Higginsville, Missouri, reflects the tradition of the antebellum homes in the nearby community and farms, as well as the owner’s family tradition dating back to the time of the Civil War. Cherry woodwork and paneling characterize its more informal areas, while ornate plaster mouldings and marble fireplaces adorn its foyer, parlor, dining room, staircases, and master suite.

The sculpted and shaped landscape design guides you along great vistas from the home to the estate’s lakes and meadows.

Rolling berms and terraces in the front yard are filled with seasonal trees that frame the driveway and visual approach to the home. Layered foundation plantings instill a historic formality befitting a Missouri plantation setting.

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A reflection of Georgian heritage exemplifies this house designed for a steeply sloping site in Leawood, Kansas.

While formal in design, this home, with a strong relationship to the swimming pool and outdoors, offers informal and formal spaces both inside and out. The traditional detailing is an example of a high order Georgian design.

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This infill, traditional residence is in the heart of an old, well-established Mission Hills, Kansas neighborhood. It was carefully designed on its compact site to reflect the client’s desires for modern-day living, while maintaining a character befitting of the surrounding estate homes, blending with the neighborhood seamlessly.

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Designed for a young active couple, this contemporary home was carefully sited and landscaped to maximize golf course views and provide comfortable outdoor living spaces. The entry landscape provides an experience of walking along a woodland creek through a birch forest and over a footbridge to the front door while the unique pool design allows the client to walk across the water.

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Comfortable, inviting outdoor spaces and landscaping create a wonderful resort style experience for the grandchildren.

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The use of imported reclaimed materials fosters the “old world� charm of this Lake Lotawana, Missouri remodeled lakeside residence. The intimate interior spaces have simple yet elegant details using reclaimed timbers, stone, and hand trowelled plaster. The residence captures the magnificent views of the lake from its premier point location.

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The challenging site provided a unique landscape opportunity to create a circulation pattern that provides safe and comfortable access to all of the property amenities. Each path has a different theme and landscape character that evokes lake imagery and a carefree lifestyle.

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Charm, coziness, and spectacular views foster recreation, relaxation, and reflection at this lake-side cottage.

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This exterior renovation provided a unique opportunity to bring a timeless and classic style to this home by replacing windows, siding and trim with properly proportioned detailing, materials and architecturally appropriate windows. Not a single change to the interior was required by this extensive renovation.

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Artful landscaping and playful stone walls are home to a fish pond and secret garden space for the kids.

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Outdoor courtyards, patios, paths and water features in a traditional design complement the Carolina plantation architecture and create a series of private and shared spaces in a native Kansas woodland environment.

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This contemporary Hallbrook house located on a corner lot in Leawood, Kansas was designed to display the owner’s fine art collection. Simple spaces and natural lighting create an art gallery atmosphere. Layers of evergreens enframe the architecture and articulate views to outdoor sculpture.

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Designed for a large Italian family, this Tuscan home in Mission Hills, Kansas is built around a courtyard for casual entertaining. It incorporates a variety of well proportioned indoor and outdoor spaces for extended family living and casual entertaining.

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With careful attention to detail and integrity in the use of a rich and varied palette of materials, this prominent home in Mission Hills, Kansas expresses the casual

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“old world� charm and elegance that might be found in the European countryside.

Elements of the structure are beautifully articulated inside and out with the use of rustic hand-hewn beams and trusses.

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These French influenced villas are oriented to capture views of the beautiful Country Club Plaza. A gated community, this infill project is compatible with its well established neighborhood. Although the six floor plans vary considerably, the exterior faรงades are similar. A repetition of stair towers, exterior materials, and compatible color palettes suggests an inviting European village.

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Despite the deep, narrow requirements of this typical patio home lot, traditional character, charm, and detailing gives this home the inviting appearance of a custom home. The attention to detail along with thoughtful design carries through to the interior where one will find an open floor plan that is a very functional and efficient use of space, yet still feels like “home.�

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This ‘ for sale’ patio home and twin villa community is arranged along a high ridge overlooking several of the fairways of the Falcon Ridge-Falcon Valley golf course community development in western Johnson County, Kansas. Our client wanted prairie style architecture that would complement the prairie setting and landscape design he envisioned. The buildings were sited and designed to fit down into their site and to capture expansive views across the adjacent fairways and distant horizon.

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Barrewoods is a 340 unit multifamily community spread across a very topographically challenged site. This was the first multi-family development by this client and their desire was to take maximum advantage of this beautifully wooded and hilly site while building a modern complex that was responsive to the internet era. Every apartment was planned to accommodate the computer and the entire site was Wi-Fi enabled.

The buildings were clad in lowmaintenance, enduring materials of stucco, stone and brick.

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Townsend Place is a popular 12-story condominium tower above the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City, Missouri. The project has 4 units per floor, each with a wrap-around balcony making it known as the “balcony building”. The custom designed units remain in demand 30 years after construction.

The Neptune Apartments were constructed over an expanded public parking garage on the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City, Missouri. The 99 units were designed to integrate with the Spanish architecture of the Plaza. The façades and roof lines of the building minimize the parking structure and are scaled to complement the earlier adjacent buildings.

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The award winning Palm Avenue Condominiums are a seven unit project located on a 1/2 acre site on Coronado Island, California.

Each unit of the redwood sided property has a private patio or deck and an attached 1 or 2 car garage. The amazing density and natural light opportunities were created on a triangular lot with good street frontage and alley access.

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A departure from the ordinary – this condominium allows luxury living while enjoying the breathtaking views inside, as well as the surrounding cityscape.

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Kirkwood Townhomes is a luxury townhouse project with 3 buildings, each containing 3 units. It is located in a mixeduse neighborhood south of the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City, Missouri. Each unit has a minimum of 2 bedrooms with large open living spaces and a large rear terrace over a 2 car garage. The buildings are compatible with the neighborhood streetscape and consist of a traditional walk-up brick faรงade with gated and landscaped courtyards.

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NSPJ Architects has had the great pleasure to be involved on many levels, including the master planning, with the Briarcliff West development just north of downtown Kansas City, Missouri. Part of this involvement has included the design of many of the homes and office buildings of that community. One of the more recent projects, The Briarcliff City Apartments, occupies a hilltop plateau at the Southern end of Briarcliff West, commanding a stunning view of the downtown Kansas City skyline and a 10 mile view westward up the Missouri River valley.

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This community addresses its main street in a very urbane, traditional neighborhood sense. The architecture evokes the character of early 20th Century urban apartment buildings with timeless materials of stucco & stone and expansive covered porches addressing the street. The entry lobbies, stairways and corridors are all finished with a fine hotel-like ambiance. This community was well received by the market, going from first move in to the last (263 units) in just 10 months, with the final unit occupied just three months after the last building was completed.

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The Mansions in Lenexa, Kansas is composed of 10-unit buildings that step down a sloping site with views to a natural streamway.

Each unit has a garage level private entry and an attached garage for a single family home feel.

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The award winning interior design captures the charm and elegance of the community, which is exemplified in the welcoming clubhouse interior.

Whether you are entertaining for the game or just want to cozy up by the fire, the great room offers a warm, comfortable elegance.

A complete workout facility, business center, and fully functional kitchen help complete the amenities offered to residents.

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Bradford Pointe was one of many multi-family communities we have designed for this client. The design’s “mansion house” plan concept is what makes it unique and interesting. Each building is arranged to contain living units which are directly accessed from both the exterior and from individual garages so there are no common hallways or stairways. The site includes an elaborate clubhouse, recreational amenities, numerous water features, extensive landscaping and is fenced with a gated entrance. All buildings are clad in stucco and stone affording low maintenance for the ‘long term hold’ investment strategy of this client.

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This distinctive golf clubhouse is a blend of traditional forms with contemporary detailing, using stone, wood and glass to complement its resort setting. Large expanses of glass capture spectacular views across the rolling terrain.

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The Mills Farm clubhouse has been designed to feel like a high-end custom home. Doubling as the sales office, it immediately sets high standards for the community. NSPJ Architects also provides architectural control for the development to preserve quality design throughout.

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The land plan and streetscape are designed to promote a sense of family and community pride through its connectivity of trails, landscaped open space,and roadways that allow a seamless neighborhood of different home types. The horse sculptures run, jump, and play along the entry boulevard while important intersections are accentuated by horse sculptures of mare and colts.

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Staley Farms is a land-plan development with a mixture of neighborhoods that each have their own unique character. The signage provides the expression of each individual neighborhood while maintaining the character of the overall development.

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A subdivision entry monument was designed to capture the charm of the country side and be an inviting welcome, not an ostentatious barrier to visitors.

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The landscape, hardscape and water feature designs for this office building played an integral role in the project attaining LEED certification.

The water feature, marking the west entry, incorporates the traditional Hallbrook signage and a welcome plaza paving pattern to be enjoyed by pedestrians and from offices above.

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The land plan was designed to create an expansive open space of wildlife ponds, streams and waterfalls at the front entry into the community. The homes are settled along the open space and water’s edge to maximize shared views of the community.

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A coordinated theme of towers and natural river-bluff environments create a series of entries and park amenities for the city of Riverside, Missouri. The civic investment pays homage to the rich historic past, helps inspire quality development, and begins to define the future imagery of the city.

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The combining of two individual historic structures into a 13,000+ s.f. restaurant, replete with various floor levels, was a major design feat in the creation of Fogo de Chao on the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City, Missouri. Years of previous renovations were cleared away and large amounts of new structure were added to create the expansive open space this client requires for its cleanly modern yet traditional aesthetic. Having been stripped of their original vernacular detailing, the façades on all exposures were completely redesigned to bring the building back to a cohesive appearance with the theme of the surrounding landmark shopping district. The base windows of the clock tower highlight the masterful “Gaucho Way” of meat preparation this restaurant is internationally known for with an exposed open flame Churrasco.

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Capturing an early 1930’s era architecture and fusing it with stylistic Asian elements, this boutique shop creates a dynamic environment.

An eclectic use of dimension, light and materials give this space many different, unique experiences within a small space.

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An existing company in Mexico City was looking for a new and fresh face for their customer experience retail locations. The subsequent design is a thoroughly clean and modern response that clearly presents the merchandise and services offered to the customer in a simple format.

The bold use of red, the corporate color, strongly conveys the company’s branding image to create an unforgettable experience for the customer.

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Shopping in Saudi Arabia is an important part of daily life and social interaction.

When developing a new concept for a high-end electronics store, a heavy emphasis was placed on the design to capture and engage customer interaction with the fixtures as well as the environment. An Espresso bar and lounge with Wi-Fi allows casual conversation while browsing the stores merchandise electronically. All of this takes place in an exquisitely modern expression unlike any other. This project and the subsequent roll-out stores, in collaboration with Winntech (the fixtures and interior designer) were the recipient of the prestigious Chain Store Age Magazines International Store of the Year for 2008.

The excitement in the creation of a new company had to be met with an equally captivating customer retail experience. The entire store design, done in collaboration with Winntech, was created to synergistically demonstrate the high tech services the company provides its customers. The crisp, bold angles carry through the architecture and fixtures seamlessly to demonstrate the visionary aspects and energy this young company possesses. This project and the subsequent roll-out stores were the recipient of the coveted Chain Store Age Magazines Retail Store of the Year for 2007.

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The Briarcliff Hilltop office building incorporates and reinterprets the classical components of a column: base, shaft, and capital, to give it proper grounding, establish its height and define its vertical termination. The lobby, unlike those found in most modern office buildings, was intended to be warm to invite lingering over the magnificent view of the downtown Kansas City skyline.

Classical cast stone fireplaces, luxurious bookcases, and comfortable seating provide a gracious place for the tenants to meet their visitors. The main floor lobby, combined with the lower level gathering space and fountain courtyard, is frequently used for corporate celebrations and receptions.

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An office building for Lockton Insurance Company was of dynamic contemporary design that used classic materials and proportions, giving it a timeless edge.

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A new home for the Hesston Corporation, located on the Kansas prairie, has a color palette and style derived from local vernacular. The round stair towers and simple forms subtly suggest the many grain elevators in the region.

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The exterior faรงade of this corporate headquarters features a unique combination of floor to ceiling glass and a projected granite clad structure that provides shading and depth.

The dramatic three-story entry lobby and skylight illuminated fourth floor atrium lobby are a couple of the unique features that make this a first class corporate facility.

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A distinctive corporate office campus expressing traditional Georgian design creates a comfortable home for a young, progressive corporation, Ferrell Gas Company.

Buildings clad in irregular, handmade, sand molded brick affords low maintenance and reflects authenticity that creates a warm, welcoming environment.

The interior features inviting two-story skylight illuminated atriums.

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The brick façade of this contemporary office building gives way to a glass entry marking a welcoming, but professional open lobby for the Kansas University Endowment Association. The 52,000 sq.-ft., three-story facility serves as the association’s corporate offices, consolidating all of its departments and operations under one roof.

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The Intrust Bank and these two mixed-use buildings were a series of infill projects we were blessed to have as commissions in the old downtown area of Lawrence, Kansas. The intent was to relate the buildings’ architecture to the local historic vernacular, add to the rich heritage of classical architecture surrounding them and express the permanence of the businesses they housed.

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Mission Farms, located in both Leawood and Overland Park, Kansas, is a true mixed-use development at the former location of the Saddle and Sirloin Club. It is unique in that it brings an urban feel to a suburban setting by incorporating residential over retail and office spaces, creating a cohesive neighborhood that offers users walk-ability, a vibrant atmosphere, and access to major highways. NSPJ Architects provided the land plan, zoning, and site design that has seamlessly allowed the project to expand across Mission Road into Overland Park. Mission Farms has quickly become a destination, with attractive design, outdoor dining terraces, and a live-work-play environment.

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The award winning Oread Hotel sitting atop Mt. Oread (from which it takes its name) is adjacent to the University of Kansas campus in Lawrence, Kansas.

The building’s style and its use of limestone tie back to the architecture of the historic buildings on campus. A true mixed-use building, this 10-story facility encompasses hotel, convention, retail, restaurant, bar, outdoor terrace and private condominium uses over 4 levels of underground parking.

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NSPJ F irm H istory The firm was founded in June of 1961 by Howard Nearing, AIA and since its inception has received commissions for more than 5,000 projects. Howard spent the first 10 years of his career with Edward Tanner and Associates. While there, he was involved in numerous projects for the J.C. Nichols Company, developer of the Country Club Plaza, and many communities south of the Plaza in Kansas City, Missouri and within Johnson County, Kansas, including Mission Hills and Prairie Village. NSPJ’s early work was primarily designing large custom homes built in these neighborhoods.

In 1963 Stan Staats, AIA, who was a friend, high school classmate, and college fraternity brother of Howard’s joined the firm as an associate. In 1965, the company became a partnership. The scope of the work continued to grow, and included commissions for the design of the H&R Block corporate headquarters and the C&G Bearing corporate headquarters, both in Kansas City Missouri. By the late 1960’s the firm was designing the first of what would become a continuum of unique multi-family communities. Patio homes and townhomes at Lake St. Louis in St. Charles, Missouri were one of the first projects of this type. In Overland Park, Kansas, the Tuileries and Pinebrooke Apartments were also some of the first apartments and townhomes to be commissioned. These were followed by the iconic planned unit development of Four Colonies in Lenexa, Kansas, the first project of this type in the Midwest.

Other mixed-use developments were added in locations such as Urbana, Illinois; Bloomfield Hills, Minnesota; Wichita and Topeka, Kansas and Provo, Utah. The firm also continued to design fine homes in a variety of styles throughout the Midwest, as well as in Aspen and Vail, Colorado; Ames, Iowa and Prescott and Tucson, Arizona. A number of office buildings, retail centers, and clubhouses continued to be part of NSPJ’s growing portfolio.

Bill Prelogar, Jr., AIA, joined the firm in the spring of 1972 along with Rick Jones, AIA, in the fall of 1973. The firm was officially incorporated in 1973 and in 1989 became an employee owned business with the formation of an Employee Stock Ownership Plan.

At that time, Bill and Rick became Principal Architects and officers of the corporation, now

named Nearing Staats Prelogar & Jones AIA Architects, Chartered. Also joining the firm in the mid-1970’s, Mark Wendlandt and George Higgins became officers and principal architects in 2000.

Throughout the 1980’s the firm was very busy doing land planning and architectural design for a large number of rental and ‘for sale’ multi-family communities which were built primarily in the greater Kansas City area. This work produced nearly 15,000 units of multi-family housing including well known projects such as Townsend Place and the Neptune Apartments on Kansas City’s Country Club Plaza. The firm continued to remain active doing golf and community clubhouses for new developments. Some of the golf clubs include Deer Creek in Overland Park, Shadow Glen and Cedar Creek in Olathe and Falcon Ridge in Lenexa. The remodeling and expansion of the Carriage Club in Kansas City, Missouri and Mission Hills and Indian Hills Country Clubs in Mission Hills, Kansas were also major undertakings of the firm. NSPJ continued to be deeply involved in the planning and architectural design of residential developments that provided unique alternatives to conventional single family development. These included Sunset Place, just south of the Country Club Plaza, Chartwell in Kansas City, Missouri and Chartwell West in Leawood, Kansas. Villa communities in Deer Creek, Loch Lloyd, and Cedar Creek were also completed during this time. In Prairie Village, several other alternative developments were designed including Normandy Court, Bristol Court, Coventry Court, Mission Pines, and Village Park. Recent similar in fill developments that have become well recognized include the townhomes at Kirkwood Circle, and six French influenced custom villas along the south side of Brush Creek opposite the Country Club Plaza.

In 1999 Lori Schiefen joined the firm as an in-house interior designer. Her collaboration on a number of projects has helped the firm grow by providing these additional services for our clients.

Firm founded as Howard H. Nearing AIA Architect by Howard Nearing (1961-present) Firm name changes to Howard H. Nearing AIA/P.S. Staats, Associate, Architects with Stan Staats (1963-1994) joining the firm. Offices are located in the Bryant Building, 11th and Grand, Kansas City, Missouri Nearing and Staats Architects, a Partnership is formed and the office is relocated to Johnson County, Kansas at 4800 Rainbow Avenue

1973 1974 1961

1963

Interior Design added to firm’s disciplines with the addition of Lori Schiefen

1989

1965

1999 2000 Nearing and Staats AIA Architects Chartered, incorporated on July 6, 1973 Office relocates to 5400 W. 61st Place, Shawnee Mission, Kansas

92

Firm management adds George Higgins (1973-present) and Mark Wendlandt (1974-present) as Principal Architects

Firm name becomes Nearing Staats Prelogar & Jones AIA Architects Chartered, with the addition of Bill Prelogar, Jr., AIA (1972-present) and Rick Jones, AIA (1973-present) as Principal Architects

In 2007, Brick Owens, RLA, brought to NSPJ 30 years of land planning, landscape architecture and urban planning experience. He has now grown the landscape department to three employees. Brick is also a share holder and principal of the firm. He was joined in the management role by Cheri Beaver, Timothy W. Homburg, and Clint Evans, all long-term employees who, as directors, have become the third generation of firm management.

With the addition of Lori and Brick, NSPJ became able to offer professional design services in a continuum from initial land planning through hanging the last picture on the wall for our clients.

The firm has, since 1965, been located in close-in Johnson County. From this locus it has been our privilege to be involved in the tremendous growth that has characterized Johnson County and the suburban Kansas City metro area. However, we have also had the opportunity to be involved with hundreds of infill and redevelopment projects. Kansas City has a tremendous architectural heritage of very fine traditionally designed buildings and districts.

The firm’s founders strongly believed that it was very important to respect that context of carefully proportioned and richly detailed architecture. Whether the project was the remodeling and addition to a fine older existing building or a new building, we believe exterior design and detailing should respect the existing structure and properly blend into its neighborhood, while the interior spaces should most importantly serve our client’s daily needs.

The firm has consistently attracted individuals who enthusiastically embrace the firm’s design traditions and its 26 current members collectively bring nearly 500 years of experience to this design process.

Firm moves its offices to a building of its own design at 3515 West 75th Street, Prairie Village, Kansas

2007 2002

2009

2011 Nearing Staats Prelogar & Jones AIA Architects Chartered celebrates 50 Years

Firm management adds Cheri Beaver (1977-1982 and 1996-present), Timothy W. Homburg (1992-present) and Clint Evans (2005-present) as Directors Firm adds Landscape Architecture to list of firm disciplines with addition of Brick Owens RLA (2007-present) as Landscape Principal

From Left to Right: Rick Jones, Howard H. Nearing, Jennifer A. Nearing, Theresa Sipe Curtis, Clint Evans, Cathy Kudelko, Brad Hus, Lori Schiefen, Timothy W. Homburg, Kiley S. Darden, Nicole Anderson, Bill Prelogar Jr., Brick Owens, Greg McCall, Laura Herron, Katie Martinovic, Brent Shelor, James McNutt, Cheri Beaver, Michael Knapp, Andrea Branson, Cade A. Brummer, Tim Baldridge, Paul S. Staats Jr., George Higgins, Mark Wendlandt

NSPJ Architects 50 Years

93

I ndex Architectural Commissions: Amvestors Financial Topeka, Kansas 82-83 Barrewoods Apartments Kansas City, Missouri 55 Bradford Pointe Apartments Overland Park, Kansas 64 Briarcliff City Apartments Kansas City, Missouri 60-61 Briarcliff Hilltop Kansas City, Missouri 78-79 Clock Tower Riverside, Missouri 72-73 Custom Residence Summit County, Colorado 6 Custom Residence Sun Valley, Idaho 14 Custom Residence Remodel Countryside, Kansas 41 Custom Residence Lawrence, Kansas 20 Custom Villa Lawrence, Kansas 53 Custom Residence Leawood, Kansas 7 Custom Residence Leawood, Kansas 12 Custom Residence Leawood, Kansas 16-17 Custom Residence Leawood, Kansas 32-33

94

of

P rojects

Custom Residence Leawood, Kansas 35

Custom Residence Door County, Wisconsin 15

Neptune Apartments Kansas City, Missouri 56

Custom Residence Leawood, Kansas 44-45

Embarq Nationwide USA 77

The Oread Lawrence, Kansas 90-91

Custom Residence Mission Hills, Kansas 8-11

Fall Creek Farms Gatehouse Lawrence, Kansas 69

Palm Avenue Condominiums Coronado Island, California 57

Custom Residence Mission Hills, Kansas 13

Ferrell Companies Liberty, Missouri 84

Shadow Glen Golf Club Olathe, Kansas 65

Custom Residence Mission Hills, Kansas 18

Feng Leawood, Kansas 75

Talbots Lawrence, Kansas 86

Custom Residence Mission Hills, Kansas 21

Fogo de Chao Kansas City, Missouri 74

Townsend Place Kansas City, Missouri 56

Custom Residence Mission Hills, Kansas 34

GCB Holdings Lawrence, Kansas 87

Villas at Falcon Valley Lenexa, Kansas 54

Custom Residence Mission Hills, Kansas 46-49

Hesston Corporation Hesston, Kansas 81

Zonik Saudi Arabia 77

Custom Residence Mission Hills, Kansas 50-51

Intrust Bank Lawrence, Kansas 86

Custom Residence Blue Springs, Missouri 26-27

Iusacell Nationwide Mexico 76

Custom Residence Columbia, Missouri 4-5

Kirkwood Townhomes Kansas City, Missouri 59

Custom Residence Higginsville, Missouri 28-31

KU Endowment Association Lawrence, Kansas 85

Custom Villas Kansas City, Missouri 52

Lockton Insurance Company Kansas City, Missouri 80

Custom Residence Remodel Lake Lotawana, Missouri 38-39

Mansions at Canyon Creek Lenexa, Kansas 62-63

Custom Residence Lake Lotawana, Missouri 40

Mills Farm Clubhouse Overland Park, Kansas 66-67

Custom Residence Park City, Utah 22-25

Mission Farms Leawood, Kansas 88-89

Landscape Commissions: City of Riverside Riverside, Missouri 72-73 Mills Farm* Overland Park, Kansas 66-67 Mission Farms Leawood, Kansas 88-89 Residential Landscape Leawood, Kansas 35 Residential Landscape Leawood, Kansas 42 Residential Landscape Leawood, Kansas 43 Residential Landscape Leawood, Kansas 44-45 Residential Landscape Mission Hills, Kansas 13

Interior Commissions: Briarcliff City Apartments Kansas City, Missouri 60-61 Briarcliff Hilltop Kansas City, Missouri 78-79 Mansions at Canyon Creek Lenexa, Kansas 62-63 The Oread Lawrence, Kansas 90-91 Custom Private Condominium Lawrence, Kansas 58 Custom Residence Interior Kansas City, Missouri 19

Residential Landscape Stillwell, Kansas 36-37 Residential Landscape Higginsville, Missouri 28-31 Residential Landscape Lake Lotawana, Missouri 38-39 Staley Farms* Kansas City, Missouri 68 Two Hallbrook Place Leawood, Kansas 70 Water’s Edge Leawood, Kansas 71 *Denotes work of Principal Landscape Architect at previous firm.