KAI, one of the largest minority-owned and -led architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) firms in the country, is thrilled to celebrate 25 years of delivering exceptional design and build services across the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and surrounding Texas communities.
KAI was founded in 1980 in St. Louis and has operated an office in Dallas since 1999. The company expanded with the acquisition of Fratto Engineering, Inc. in 2019, and in 2021, KAI’s Texas staff consolidated into one location at 5010 Riverside Drive in Las Colinas. Today, KAI’s DFW office is growing rapidly with over 70 employees. Its diverse design and construction services, as well as a local footprint, allow KAI to offer superior service to its North Texas partners in aviation and transportation, education, healthcare, community, government and more.
KAI was named AIA Dallas’ Firm of the Year in 2021, a testament to the firm’s strong work and dedication to the area. The firm’s strategic growth is focused squarely on transforming communities, and they do this by seeking the most complex, culturally conscious and politically sensitive projects that will make lasting differences in the lives they touch.
“Rebuilding communities that give children a safe place to live, learn and play, providing job opportunities for minorities and building housing for low-income residents is at the heart of KAI’s success story in DFW,” said KAI CEO Michael B. Kennedy. “We’re thrilled to be at the forefront of several transformative projects in North Texas as we continue to grow our presence and operations. At KAI, we’re dedicated to enhancing communities, and we’re proud to be part of initiatives in the DFW area that make a difference for the past 25 years.”
Notable KAI projects in Texas include:
- Aquatic and Recreation Center at McCowan Park (DeSoto)
- Multi-Phase Renovation and Expansion of Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas (Dallas)
- DFW Airport Program Management (Central Terminal Area and Terminal F)
- Dallas College Cedar Valley Campus Student Engagement Center (Lancaster)
- South Oak Cliff High School Renovation (Dallas)
- S. Thompson Elementary School (Dallas)
- Young Men’s Leadership Academy Renovation (Fort Worth)
- Reby Cary Youth Library (Fort Worth, Texas)
- Robert L.M. Hillard Health Center (San Antonio)
- Sam Houston High School (San Antonio)
- East Meadows Apartments (San Antonio)
- C.V. Roman Health Center (Dallas)
- South Dallas Government Center (Dallas)
- Highland Hills Branch Library (Dallas)
- Billy Earl Dade Middle School (Dallas)
In addition, KAI is excited to be involved in the forthcoming National Juneteenth Museum in Fort Worth, Texas, and the Dallas Police Academy on the University of North Texas Dallas campus.
KAI employs a diverse companywide team of over 170 architects, engineers, interior designers, builders and support staff at its headquarters in St. Louis and offices in DFW; Kansas City, Kansas; and Atlanta, Georgia, with additional project offices throughout the U.S. The firm specializes in residential, commercial, K-12, higher education, healthcare, science and technology, aviation, mobility, sports and entertainment, government, water and community-focused projects. A master of urban master planning and design, over 60% of KAI’s projects are centered in what most would consider “project neighborhoods.”
“Our mission every day is to improve the lives of community residents during and after our projects. This passion drives everything we do, no matter the size or scope of our role,” said KAI President Darren L. James, FAIA, NOMA, NCARB. “Working together with community partners, we have realized that mission for the past 25 years, and we are grateful to continue serving the community and pursuing our goal to positively transform communities for many more years to come.”