Project Overview
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) facility in downtown Kansas City stands as a long-term, 100+ year service life building solution, maintaining its structural integrity while making a lasting aesthetic impact on the area. Completed in 2007, it has served as a reference point and inspiration for subsequent architectural projects, frequently cited as a model for future designs.
Spanning 1.14 million square feet, the project consolidated employees from seven regional locations, establishing a new civic presence. The facility accommodates flexible office spaces for thousands of employees, a secure IRS data center, mail handling and processing facilities, and USPS postal inspection service areas. Infrastructure includes a high-security data center with N+1 redundancy, robust HVAC systems with refurbished chillers and cooling towers, and backup generators powered by two separate Kansas City Power and Light substations.
As a LEED Silver-certified workplace for up to 7,000 IRS employees, the facility offers light-filled interiors, landscaped courtyards, and green spaces. Developed through a public-private partnership between DST Realty and the General Services Administration, it enhances downtown connectivity by linking several significant landmarks.
The 27-acre site integrates the historic 275,000-square-foot Post Office as the main entrance and includes three parking garages for 5,600 vehicles. The facility's design breaks down its vast scale into three 200,000-square-foot wings connected by a central circulation spine. The exterior features precast concrete with staggered strip windows and projecting glass stair halls, creating a visually dynamic facade. On the interior, strategic window placements maximize natural light, while amenities such as a cafeteria, outdoor plaza, and landscaped pathways foster a welcoming environment.
A key design challenge was achieving a seemingly random texture on the precast concrete facade using a custom wood board form, strategically reused to create variation. The project employs both insulated and non-insulated architectural precast wall panels with integrated color admixture, featuring dual finishes—acid-etch on projections and exposed aggregate on recessed sections.
Sustainability played a vital role in the project, with LEED Silver certification achieved through several measures. These measures include diverting construction waste from landfills, including wood, drywall, and concrete recycling; using recycled content for 10% of total material costs; and incorporating locally manufactured materials for 20% of the building's materials.
With its complex MEP systems, adaptive reuse of the historic post office, and commitment to sustainability, the IRS Facility is a model of design excellence, urban revitalization, and long-term resilience in Kansas City. |