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Designing the Stage for Human Connection, Art and Community
A performing arts center in Kirkwood, Missouri is redefining civic space through creativity, connection and design
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On a quiet corner in downtown Kirkwood, Missouri, the curtain has risen on a new era for the arts. The 40,000-square-foot Kirkwood Performing Arts Center (KPAC) — a glowing glass-and-concrete landmark — draws residents and visitors alike into a space where creativity, community and culture converge.
Jacobs collaborated with the City of Kirkwood to bring this vision to life, delivering a dynamic venue that anchors a new arts and entertainment district and redefines what a civic space can be. Designed as a regional draw for two theater companies, KPAC includes a 500-seat main theater, a 200-seat studio theater and flexible event spaces for performances, special events and seminars.
Jacobs provided architecture, interiors and civil and structural engineering services, leading a collaborative design process that emphasized community engagement, sustainability and cost-effective innovation. The building’s “see and be seen” concept comes to life through a glass-wrapped lobby and a glowing translucent balcony level that floats above the entrance, creating a visual icon for Kirkwood’s new arts district.
A cultural landmark shaped by community
Integrating a large-scale performance venue into a pedestrian-friendly downtown was a central challenge. Our design steps the building’s form down gradually — starting from the tallest element, the 75-foot-high fly loft (which houses stage rigging and scenery), and tapering toward street level. This terraced approach softens the visual impact of the height, creates a more human-scaled streetscape and offers opportunities for outdoor terraces and community spaces while preserving the drama of the performance spaces. Precast concrete panels — chosen for their acoustic, thermal and aesthetic properties — form the building’s shell, while a cantilevered glass balcony creates a lantern-like presence at night.
KPAC’s orientation and placement establish a walkable connection to nearby restaurants, shops and parking. Inside, the two-story atrium lobby serves as a lively gathering space, while the main theater’s balcony-level seating creates an intimate audience experience.
Encore-worthy innovation and impact
Jacobs worked closely with the City of Kirkwood and BSI Constructors to deliver a high-performance facility within budget. Through strategic value engineering, the team identified nearly $2 million in savings without compromising design intent. Among the savings realized were strategies for replacing zinc composite panels with prefinished metal cladding, which saved more than $400,000, and using MDF panels with routed graphics in lieu of wood veneer for the auditorium interior, achieving a cost reduction of $672,000.
Completed in 2020, KPAC has earned multiple accolades, including a Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI) Design Award for Best Theatre Building and an Illumination Award from the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES)-St. Louis Section. Its greatest achievement, however, is its impact — enriching lives by bringing people together through performance, creativity and shared experience.
At Jacobs, we believe in building what matters. The Kirkwood Performing Arts Center is more than a building; it’s a cultural cornerstone, a catalyst for community connection and a symbol of how thoughtful design can elevate and celebrate everyday life. From concept to curtain call, KPAC reflects how we create spaces that inspire, engage and endure.
“Building what matters means creating spaces that reflect the soul of a community. In Kirkwood, that meant designing a performing arts center that honors local character, celebrates creativity and invites everyone in. From its limestone-inspired façade to its glowing glass atrium, this building is more than a venue — it’s a cultural landmark that puts Kirkwood center stage.”
Anselmo Testa
Did you know?
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40 K
square feet of performance and event space
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~$ 2 M
in cost savings achieved through innovation and strategic value engineering
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2
theaters: 500-seat main stage and 200-seat studio
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3 +
major design awards since opening
Featured articles
Precast / Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI): Project Profile: Kirkwood Performing Arts Center
