Project Description
The MCC Blue River East Building establishes a new campus presence in Independence, MO, which is home to the Great Plains OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) Education Center and MCC’s CDL (Commercial Driver’s License), Forklift, Linework, and Logistics programs. The Blue River East Campus serves 800+ students enrolled in these specialized programs, and aims to help strengthen Kansas City’s future workforce, fulfill a high demand for technical skills, and create a positive impact within the local economy. The design maximizes resources to create a hands-on learning and training environment that accommodates each program’s needs as well as supportive classroom, office, and amenity space for students and faculty. Entering the facility, building users experience generous natural daylight and views out to the surrounding site that create visual connections between various spaces and establish a sense of transparency in program identity. The design team navigated a 100-year flood plain and worked within the parameters a pre-engineered metal building system, which served as the primary structure of the building, by implementing pragmatic and creative design solutions.