Troost Avenue Bridge Public Art

Derek Porter Studio is teamed with el dorado inc. and Custom Engineering for this public art project associated with a public works bridge replacement as well as other ancillary roadway, intersection, hydraulic and landscape improvements.  In addition to the development of a specific work of art, the artist team is charged with contributing to the overall bridge design and site improvements with the goal of assuring the pedestrian experience for this culturally charged urban area is ideally served.  Initiated in 2004, this $20,000,000 project has involved interface with local and state offices, community groups and numerous private consultants. 

Troost Avenue has long been perceived as a racial and social divide in Kansas City, as it runs north and south through the heart of the metropolitan core.  Brush Creek with its flood control channel and pedestrian link to a high-end shopping and commercial district, passes under this bridge and connects to surrounding residential neighborhoods.  The design focuses on this east-west/north-south axis to conceptualize the bridge as a Cartesian ‘marker’ for this important social confluence and to bring emphasis to a much-needed east / west connection.  Transparency, reflection and openness evolve as seminal interests both literally and metaphorically with the art.  Laminated glass replaces conventionally applied opaque barriers and fencing material to allow views of the surrounding neighborhood and encourage contemplative self-reflection.

Owner: City of Kansas City, Missouri
Bridge Architect: HNTB Corporation
Structural Engineer: HNTB Corporation
Artist Team: Derek Porter Studio, El Dorado and Custom Engineering
Structural Engineer (Art): Genesis Structures
Lighting Designer: LightWorks
Photographer: Mike Sinclair

Details
Kansas City, Missouri
New Construction Permanent Public Art
152’ x 90’ x 9’; 13,651 SF

Awards
International Illumination Design Award of Merit, IESNA, 2013
Best of Year Award (Public Space) 2012, Interior Design Magazine
Move Award, Architect Magazine 2012
Merit Award - 2013 AZURE Magazine
AZ Award for Landscape Architecture, Finalist
Interior Design, Best of Year Award 2012
AIA Kansas City Design Excellence Awards, Merit Award, 2012
AIA Central States Region Design Awards, Honor Award, 2012