KANSAS CITY, MO Some of the most recognized Kansas City, Missouri, firms in architectural design for airport terminals and aviation facilities have joined Burns & McDonnell in its proposal for a new single-terminal KCI. The new firms teaming with the Burns & McDonnell architecture practice are HOK, Populous, BNIM, Wellner-Architects, and Garcia Architecture.

"This is the next step in building a world class team of design talent that will deliver an airport all Kansas Citians will be proud of," said Burns & McDonnell Chairman and CEO Ray Kowalik. "When you look at their resumes, you see they have all been involved in designing amazing projects both here in Kansas City and around the world. Airports really create an identity for a whole community and we are excited to design a new KCI that will reflect everything we love about our hometown."

The design team will submit concepts for the new terminal when Burns & McDonnell delivers a formal proposal to the Kansas City Council as part of the City's Request for Qualifications and Proposals (RFQ/P).

"The Kansas City International Airport is a critical gateway to our city and region," said Bill Johnson, AIA, Senior Vice President and Design Principal for HOK's Kansas City practice. "Our deep local experience, which includes designing many of the city's highest-profile projects and developments, coupled with our industry-leading experience designing airport terminals around the world, will enable us to transform the passenger experience into one that leaves a lasting impression and embodies the world-class community that Kansas City has become. We look forward to collaborating with this diverse Kansas City-based design team to create a new KCI that is a modern, beautiful and convenient community asset."

"First and last impressions are powerful. They're what frame all great moments and that's what drives us in creating icons in every city where we work across the world," said Earl Santee, Managing Director of Populous. "We couldn't be more thrilled to have the opportunity to create the Kansas City story right here in our home town."

"We are looking forward to collaborating with this team of internationally recognized designers, all of whom are working together to make KCI the best airport in the world once again," said Steve McDowell, President and CEO of BNIM. "We are excited that this team is committed to making the new terminal a beautiful, easy-to-experience model of high performance sustainability, one that is reflective of Kansas City's welcoming and unique nature, with its rich and diverse populations."

Burns & McDonnell also welcomed Kansas City-based Wellner-Architects and Garcia Architecture to the KCI design team. They join Corgan, a Dallas, Texas, -based architecture firm with extensive experience designing many of the most recent terminal and aviation facility improvements around the country, including renovation work at Terminal C at KCI.

In a special announcement, Burns & McDonnell also named Bob Berkebile, Principal Emeritus and co-founder of BNIM, as Designer Emeritus for the project team.

"With Bob's national stature and local reputation, I can't think of a better person to help our design team to create Kansas City's airport of the future, while preserving the convenience and connection to the community of KCI," said Kowalik.

Berkebile served as the co-chair to the recent KCI Airport Terminal Advisory Group and served as the lead design architect for the original KCI design.

"Forty-five years ago, I was fortunate to be involved with the creation of the current KCI Airport, an innovative structure that has served our community well," said Berkebile. "Today, BNIM is proud to be a part of KCI's legacy and its future. We are thrilled to be collaborating with Kansas City's finest designers to create an airport that will serve today's travelers and provide an inspiring destination for those experiencing our world class city or just passing through."