A New Front Door for a Global Engineering Leader

The addition of the Rodman Innovation Pavilion completes a five-year, phased renovation and expansion to Black & Veatch’s headquarters in a Kansas City suburb.

The expanded headquarters communicates Black & Veatch’s commitment to engineering innovation and environmental responsibility. The design creates a vibrant culture for the 2,400 people who work on the campus. 

In addition to renovating Black & Veatch’s 617,660-sq.-ft. office building, the team designed a prominent pavilion that serves as the new entry.

Named for the company’s former CEO, the Rodman Innovation Pavilion includes a client briefing center with integrated video/teleconferencing, conference space, a café and an atrium for company and community events.

As a showcase for Black & Veatch’s engineering expertise, the pavilion features innovative sustainable design strategies including geothermal wells and an electricity microgrid that uses a natural gas microturbine and solar panels. A 14,900-sq.-ft. green roof, native landscaping, bioswales and rain gardens work together to reduce stormwater runoff.

By relocating conference rooms to surrounding spaces and creating an open stairwell that connects all eight floors, the headquarters renovation provides a new central hub for meetings. A fitness center, refurbished auditorium, updated workstations and new building systems enhance the work environment.

Close collaboration between HOK and general contractor JE Dunn Construction helped the team deliver the project on time and under budget.