Controversy to Contemplation: Similarities and Contrasts in Two Architectural Landmarks in Kansas City

Haroon Sattar

Architectural landmarks of Kansas City- Country Club Plaza and Bloch Buildings of Nelson Atkins Museum were designed and built almost a century apart. Avant-garde and controversial during design and initial period both became places of civic pride. Both landmarks share similar criticism and acceptance from their inception to becoming place maker.

J.M. Nichols’ vision of a “Spanish marketplace magically transported to Kansas City,” was regarded as a foolish plan. Nichols was ahead of his time; he saw the influence of the automobile and designed the Country Club Plaza to accommodate patrons arriving by automobile and one of the first to be located outside of the downtown CBD. Inspiration of Spanish revival style with rich ornate mosaic and terracotta tile brought warmth of Mediterranean style in barren Midwest landscape.

Architect Steven Holl’s controversial design competition entry in 1999 soon wins critics, patrons and people from all walks of life with yet another avant-garde design solution. The New York Times called it “a work of haunting power.” TIME Magazine proclaimed, “The effect against the night time sky is nothing short of magical.”

A few mile apart- Country Club Plaza and Bloch Buildings are center of cultural integration and place making in Kansas City. Both places provide rendezvous of personal, social, cultural, and civic life. The presentation will provide a “visual survey and photo documentation” of the two architectural landmarks of Kansas City- Country Club Plaza and Bloch Buildings of Nelson Atkins Museum. Contrast of rich detailing of Spanish Revival Architecture and Contemporary Minimalist approach in design, detailing with mosaic pattern and terracotta tile with clean and simple double glazed solar panel glass in steel construction will be highlighted. The methodologies will include survey of architectural archives and photo based survey of architectural places and edifices will be employed.

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