McHenry Shaffer Architecture

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Firm Profile

MSM Architects, established in 1995, is located in Kansas City, Missouri.  The practice provides architectural, planning, and interior design services in both the private and public sectors.  The principals, Mark McHenry, Doug Shaffer, and Christopher Mitchell, bring a depth of experience in design and construction to all of the firm's projects.

Firm Philosophy

MSM is dedicated to the responsible and inspired practice of architecture with the strong commitment to realizing our clients' goals in the most efficient and cost-effective manner.  We understand that successful design comes from discovering where a project's unique opportunities allow for the creation of lasting quality - functionally and aesthetically.

We take our professional challenges seriously and are committed to sustainable design as the thoughtful application of solid design principles starting with the sensitive engagement with a specific site and its relation to the natural world.

One of the rewards of our practice is the spirited collaboration with our clients, builders, and talented craftspersons of every trade.  We are continually learning and refining our skills, and we look forward to meeting the challenges of our times with resolute optimism.

"The professional challenge, whether one is an architect in the rural American South or elsewhere in the world, is how to avoid being so stunned by the power of modern technology and economic affluence that one does not lose sight of the fact that people and place matter..."

--Samuel Mockbee

News

MSM adopts the 2030 Challenge

Recognizing the reality of climate change and the opportunties for designers to take constructive action, MSM Architects is making the commitment to meet the 2030 Challenge, which advances the noble goal of making all new buildings and major renovations carbon-neutral by the year 2030.  We will be eager to discuss the implications of this commitment with all of our collaborators and clients.

Roasterie Cafe Renovations

For a number of years, MSM has collaborated on projects for the locally owned business, The Roasterie, purveyors of fine coffees and great citizens of the globe.  Phase One of renovations to the Brookside Cafe is now complete with the Phase Two work beginning soon. The fine cabinetmaker, Ryan Comment, is currently fabricating bamboo table tops, casework, and seating, and all work is being expertly coordinated by Hurst Construction.  The new cafe interior will feature all compact fluorescent lighting and a plan layout that nearly doubles the seating capacity.

Garrison Residence Published

The MSM Project for renovating the home of Lora and Cameron Garrison has recently been featured in two publications.  The September issue of Spaces magazine focuses on the kitchen, while an article in the KC Star (Sept. 6th) dealt with the Garrisons' appreciaton of IKEA products used throughout the home.

The Prodigal Son Returns

On Wednesday, September 2, 2009, a familiar face, Mr. Matt Wild, was back at his desk at MSM after being on extended loan to Gastinger Walker Harden Architects. Matt will be immediately drawn into a flurry of activity for finishing Posty Cards construction documents while helping us get the Lee's Summit Theatre Project off to a running start.  Matt is happy to be radically shrinking his carbon footprint since he recently purchased a condo in a building literally a stone's throw from the MSM office. 

MSM Scores Lee's Summit Theater Project

On Thursday, August 20, 2009, MSM was awarded the contract to provide architectural services for the Arnold Hall Renovation Project in Lee's Summit, MO.   We are especially pleased to get the selection from a field of 20 firms that responded to the Request for Qualifications and a shortlist that included our respected colleagues from 360 and Gould Evans.  The project, which involves the renovation of the historic Arnold Hall in downtown Lee's Summit, will create a community theater and performance space that will provide a permanent home for the Martin City Melodrama and Vaudeville Co., a creative ensemble, performing in the Vaudeville tradition, in the Kansas City Area since the mid-1980's.   The project will allow MSM to participate in the Green Theatre Initiative which was founded by a member of the Blue Man Group.

LEED Gold For Posty Cards

The Project Team including MSM Architects, PKMR Engineers, and Turner SPD Construction has recently completed the Schematic Design Review for the Posty Cards Renovation Project, and we're on target to achieve LEED Gold Certification.  We are excited about the possibliities of collaborating with a new entrepreurial venture, Planet Reuse, to utilitze recycled and repurposed materials in our design.

Posty Cards Renovation Project

MSM is honored to be selected by Erick Jessee, the 3rd Generation owner of Posty Cards, to be the architect for the expansion and renovation of their production and administration facility at 1600 Olive St., Kansas City, MO.  Posty Cards has been designing and printing greeting cards for 68 years and is committed to upgrading their operation in an environmentally responsible manner.

MSM

With the coming of the New Year and welcome change on many fronts, we are pleased to announce that Christopher Mitchell is joining in partnership with Mark McHenry and Doug Shaffer to form McHenry Shaffer Mitchell Architects.  Christopher brings a breadth of skill and experience to our team and a great, collaborative spirit to the pursuit of our shared goals.

Yummo

October 24, 2008, will be the opening date for Yummo, Rob Dalzell's new, McHenry Shaffer designed, establishment in KC's Power & Light District.  Yummo, which is located next door to chefBurger, will serve a variety of delicious frozen yogurt flavors that will be complemented by an array of toppings and sold by the ounce in a creative, self-serve environment.

McHenry Shaffer Website

On July 3rd, 2008, we are pleased to be launching a new website for McHenry Shaffer Architecture.  We're happy to have the opportunity for featuring our projects, but we're also looking to use the site for a variety of other purposes.  Please take a moment to browse through and give us feedback on what you see.

Kansas City Home Design Awards

In the summer of 2008, McHenry Shaffer Architecture was awarded 11 awards (4 gold, 3 silver, and 4 bronze) at the KC Home Design Magazine Design Excellence Awards.  Projects winning awards were  chefBURGER (2 Golds), the White Residence (2 Golds), the Griffit, Millstein, and Nottberg Residences (Silver), and the Kidwell, Millstein, and Nottberg Residences (Bronze).

 

chefBURGER opens

In March 2008, in time for the Big 12 Basketball Tournament at the Sprint Center, McHenry Shaffer was proud to see the opening of chefBURGER, a new restaurant in the diverse and growing empire of chef Rob Dalzell.

With great commitment to detail, faithful execution of the design, and uncompromising quality control Ian Hurst Construction and project manager, Greg Grimm, made the project thoroughly satisfying for its architects.

Contact

6314 Brookside Plaza, Ste. 301
Kansas City, MO 64113
p:  816.822.0897
f:  816.822.7762

general office email: info@msmkc.com

email Mark: mmchenry@msmkc.com

email Doug: dshaffer@msmkc.com

email Christopher: cmitchell@msmkc.com

email Matt: mwild@msmkc.com

email Sonja: sshaffer@msmkc.com

People

Mark McHenry AIA, LEED® AP
Photo of Mark McHenry AIA, LEED® AP

click here to send Mark an email

Mark has over 30 years of experience in design and construction.  Prior to founding McHenry Architecture, Inc. in 1995, Mark was associated with Roger Kraft Architects and with Abend Singleton Associates.  

Mark's approach to architecture is informed by a long-standing practice of woodworking that has ranged from furniture-making and boat-building to sculpture.  His interest in woodcraft has led to a deep appreciation for the great traditions of Japanese and Danish design. 

Professional Status:

Registered Architect, states of Missouri, Kansas and Colorado.

 

LEED Accredited Professional, U.S. Green Building Council

 

Education:

University of Kansas, School of Architecture and Urban Design.

Bachelor of Architecture, with Distinction.  Tau Sigma Delta Honor Society in Architecture and Allied Arts.

Professional Experience:

1987-1990Abend Singleton Associates, Kansas City, Missouri.

1990-1994:  Roger Kraft Architects, Kansas City, Missouri.

1994-2004:  McHenry Architecture, Inc., Kansas City, MIssouri.

2004 - 2008:  McHenry Shaffer Architecture, in partnership with Doug Shaffer.

2008 - present:  McHenry Shaffer Mitchell Architects

 

Affiliations:

American Institute of Architects

 

 

Doug Shaffer AIA
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click here to send an email to Doug

Doug joined McHenry Architecture in 1999, entered into partnership with Mark McHenry to form McHenry Shaffer Architecture in 2005.  In the summer of 2008, Christopher Mitchell became a partner to form MSM Architects.  Prior to moving to Kansas City, he was a principal with Wolken Shaffer Architects in Seattle, Washington.  There, he worked on extensive renovations of the Capitol Court Shopping Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as well as numerous retail and residential projects.  Doug has been a registered architect since 1995.

Mr. Shaffer was employed by Loschky Marquardt and Nesholm Architects in Seattle, Washington from 1991 until 1995.  While there, his experience included work on the University of Washington Womens Fast Pitch Softball Facility, the recently completed Seattle Symphony Hall, and the Baltimore Convention Center Special Presentation Hall.

Professional Status:

Registered Architect, State of Missouri

Previous Architectural Registration in Washington State, reinstatement pending

Education:

Kansas State University, College of Architecture, Planning and Design 1985-1991

Bachelor of Architecture, Cum Laude

Professional Experience:

1991-1995:  LMN Architects, Seattle, Washington.

1995-1999:  Wolken Shaffer Architects, Seattle, Washington.

1999-2004:  McHenry Architecture, Inc., Kansas City, MIssouri.

2004 - 2008:  McHenry Shaffer Architecture, in partnership with Mark McHenry.

2008 - present:  McHenry Shaffer Mitchell Architects

Affiliations:

American Institute of Architects

Awards and Honors:

2000 Young Architects Forum Award of Merit, McDonald Residence

1995 Illumination Design International Award, Washington Square Shopping Center

1991 NIAE Paris Prize Competition, recipient of the A. Albiet Memorial Prize

 

Sonja Shaffer
Photo of Sonja Shaffer

Sonja Shaffer has been with McHenry Shaffer Mitchell since 2006 doing basically all things non-architectural, (and a little bit of that too on occasion).  Her current role at MSM is focused on marketing and making Doug, Mark, and Christopher do all kinds of things that they don't want to do - which is basically anything that is not architecture.

When she's not working for MSM, she's painting (canvases, not walls) and spending time with her two daughters, Isobel and Eliza, the family dog, Pilo and cat, Kiki and her husband Doug.

Christopher Mitchell AIA, LEED® AP
Photo of Christopher Mitchell AIA, LEED® AP

click here to send Christopher an email

Christopher Mitchell joined Mark McHenry and Doug Shaffer as a partner in 2008 forming MSM Architects.  Mark, Doug and Christopher have collaborated on various projects over the years starting when  Christopher and Doug were friends in college where a shared fondness for Frank Zappa brought them closer.  Some folks say it was only a matter of time when they would hook up professionally.

Christopher is a registered architect and a LEED Accredited Professional.  He has a penchant for detail and idea driven architecture.  His passion is working on projects that enhance the daily lives of the public.  This topic is really a longer conversation to have with Christopher but he essentially believes every project can be significant if the approach is appropriate. 

His project experience ranges from large, complicated sports buildings to commercial development to museum and civic projects.  He believes architects should be multi-disciplined; to understand all professional duties including project management, design, detailing, specifications, and construction administration.  A concept put into practice in his days at BNIM where he was the project architect on the Ford Learning Center, and the Adelaide Cobb Ward Sculpture Gallery, both independent renovation projects within Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City. 

Christopher also has worked on numerous sports projects throughout his carreer including AT&T Park (San Francisco Giants, MLB), Qwest Field (Seattle Seahawks, NFL) and Huntington Park (Columbus Clippers - AAA  Baseball, Columbus, OH).  The sports project list is lengthy.  Let's just say he knows his way around a stadium.

Don't let the tiny wireframe glasses belie his redneck tendencies...just ask him what squirrel tastes like.  You may also be surprised to know he frequently uses words like 'belie' and phrases like 'part in parcel'.  He still doesn't quite know what a NURB is though, but he likes to say it whenever he can.  His humor is sometimes infectious...try not to get any on you!

(a NURB is a Non Uniform Rational Basis Spline)

 
Professional Status:

Registered Architect, State of Missouri

LEED Accredited Professional, USGBC


Education:

Kansas State University, College of Architecture, Planning and Design 1986-1992

    1992  Bachelor of Architecture

    1991 Japan Summer Program

    1989 Boston Summer Program


Professional Experience:

1989 - 1990:  Jamie Cannon Assoc., Inc., St. Louis, MO

1992 - 1996:  HOK Sport, Kansas City, MO

1996 - 2000:  Ellerbe Becket, Kansas City, MO

2000 - 2006:  BNIM Architects, Kansas City, MO

2006 - 2008:  360 Architecture, Kansas City, MO

2008 - present:  McHenry Shaffer Mitchell Architects



Affiliations:

American Institute of Architects
USGBC - US Green Building Council

Awards and Honors:

2007      Citation Award for Excellence in Interior Architecture, AIA Kansas
The Ford Learning Center - The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

2007      Citation Award for Excellence in Renovation/Preservation, AIA Kansas
The Adelaide Cobb Ward Sculpture Hall - The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

2006     Honor Award, AIA Kansas City
The Adelaide Cobb Ward Sculpture Hall - The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

Matt Wild Assoc. AIA
Photo of Matt Wild  Assoc. AIA

click here to send Matt an email

Project List

  • Kauffman Center Entry Canopy
  • Ford Learning Center
  • Millstein Residence
  • Yummo
  • Martin City Theatre at Arnold Hall
  • Posty Cards
  • Griffitt Residence
  • chefBURGER
  • The Walters Dental Clinic
  • Kidwell Residence
  • 10 Storehouse Row
  • White Residence
  • Studio Stair
  • Shaffer Residence
  • Bishop McCann
  • Garrison Residence
  • Adelaide Cobb Ward Sculpture Hall
  • Rubber Soul
  • Brand Residence
  • Blumer-McDonald Residence
  • The Ford Learning Center at NAMA
  • KCMO City Hall Vestibule Addition
  • Nottberg Residence
  • Mission Hills Kitchen
  • Cantrell Residence
  • Yarborough Residence