B+A South Carolina Greater Upper Coastal

and Building Excellence A Profile in Design Name: Michael B. Kennedy Company: KAI Design & Build Title: President Education: Bachelor of Science degree in building management from Hampton University lawn company as young people — Kennedy developed an early interest in the design- build industry. Eleven years ago, he decided to join the family business started in 1980 by his father, Michael E. Kennedy, R.A., Chair and CEO of KAI Design & Build. W Q What types of projects has KAI Design & Build completed? KENNEDY: KAI Design & Build has been involved with many different types of design-build projects, including K-12 design and build projects for St. Louis schools. We have also worked closely with the city of St. Louis to design and build affordable housing and large-scale apartment complexes for mixed-income housing. On a national level, KAI Design & Build participated in the New Orleans rebuilding effort following Hurricane Katrina, constructing a 500-unit housing development. Using a grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, KAI Design & Build also began work on a green residential redevelopment project in St. Louis' Arlington Grove. The project will include renovation of Arlington Elementary School and development of mixed-income housing, including garden apartments and townhomes. Q From where does KAI Design & Build draw inspiration when beginning a new project? KENNEDY: We have what we call a hedgehog concept and internal goals that are focused on several things, including being the best in the country at design-build collaboration. Each decision we make goes back to how it will SCGUC.BUILDERARCHITECT.COM Builder+Architect SOUTH CAROLINA GREATER UPPER COASTAL | 17 ITH A PASSION for design and an entrepreneurial spirit — he and his friends began their own enhance collaboration among our partners. We also strive to remain at the forefront of technology and research and were one of the first firms in the Midwest to adopt building information modeling (BIM) software. Q In these challenging economic times, how has KAI Design & Build continued to thrive? KENNEDY: I think you have to look at what is considered thriving; in this market, I would define thriving as not losing money. We work on all building types and have a housing studio, transportation studio and education studio, to name a few. We also have an office in Dallas, which has presented us with additional opportunities, and invest- ing in BIM technology has presented a huge advantage because more owners and clients are asking for this technology when looking to partner with a firm. Q Q What do you see for the future of the building industry? KENNEDY: Companies will have to be more strategic if they hope to survive in this current market. That means investing in new technology, re-engineering business models and moving toward hiring more contract staff. In other corporations and businesses, we have seen a lot of mergers, and I think for the first time, we will probably be seeing more of that in the design-build industry. In five years, where would you like to see KAI Design & Build? KENNEDY: I would like KAI Design & Build to have a greater presence in the Southeast and would like to continue expanding in the Texas marketplace, as well. Although our flagship office is in St. Louis, I would also like to have a greater presence in Illinois — particularly in Chicago. ■ Q&A

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