Title: Kentucky International Convention Center
Location of Proejct: Louisville, Kentucky
Project Completion Date: 2018
Firm Name: EOP Architects

Short Description: This project is a renovation and expansion of a 960,000 SF convention center within its existing footprint to increase its capacity to host up to 90% of all U.S. conventions. The clearspan contiguous exhibit hall was increased by more than one-third to over 200,000 SF, and new pre-function areas and simplified pedestrian wayfinding were created. A new 40,000 SF ballroom and 12,000 SF kitchen were added, and 50 meeting/conference rooms were renovated, relocated, or added. A new administrative office suite was included along with enhanced building security. Sustainable building design resulted in LEED Silver certification.

Architect's Statement: Louisville is known both as “River City” and “City of Parks.” The meandering Ohio River, its falls, and the many Olmsted-designed parks served as inspiration for a dramatic building transformation and expansion of the Kentucky International Convention Center. The convention center’s canopy and the undulating public spaces of its piano nobile reflect the verticality of tree canopies in city parks, the fluidity of the nearby Ohio River, and the city’s tradition of front doors accompanied by welcoming porticos.

The original convention center was a concrete bunker that isolated its occupants from the city; the building was an introvert. The client asked that the reinvented building become an extrovert that celebrated connection to the city. Transparent facades foster the indoor/outdoor relationship and make wayfinding much easier in such a large building. The new facades became a gateway to the city for building occupants and allowed the public outside to experience the activity and energy occurring inside.

The existing building lacked an identifiable front door. The design corrected this by guiding visitors to the Fourth Street entrances via transparency and a new canopy that also serves as the building’s “front porch.” Indigenous materials such as oak and as,h used locally to make bourbon barrels and Louisville Sluggers, soften the very large public spaces.

How to significantly expand the existing building given its fixed footprint at street level was a unique design challenge. The building is surrounded by downtown streets and is even bisected by one. Consideration was initially given to expand upwards, but the cost to build multi-level, column free, long-span spaces was prohibitive. Instead, the second level circulation and prefunction spaces were expanded outward to cantilever over the sidewalks of two prominent streets to create needed circulation space and column-free covered walks at grade.

This project reconstructed the original west half of the building, while the eastern shell was retained, and its interiors renovated. The new structure consists of steel frame, long-span trusses, cantilevered expansion areas, and 350 lbs/sf capacity elevated exhibit hall floors. The envelope is curtain wall with high-performance glazing, custom rainscreen metal panels, custom metal canopy, masonry veneer, continuous insulation, and color-changing LED canopy lighting. Roofing is 2-ply SBS modified bitumen, single-ply PVC at limited areas, with integrated drainage. Building systems include high efficiency VAV HVAC with energy recovery and LED interior lighting with daylight harvesting.

The project was designed with the AIA’s 10 Principals for Livable Communities in mind. The design team listened to the community and created spaces that would meet its needs and improve their quality of life. These principals include:

• Design on a Human Scale: this very large building was designed for people. Façade transparency has been greatly increased to promote interior to exterior connections. Second level circulation areas are cantilevered to expand usable area without modifying the building footprint. The cantilevers also break down the scale of its very large facades. The main lobby grand stair incorporates seating and an activity landing to promote gatherings and conversation.

• Provide Choices: types and sizes of public and private spaces vary dramatically and offer flexibility for programs and use. Many spaces are reconfigurable.

• Encourage Mixed-Use Development: the project includes assembly, exhibit, hospitality, office, storage, and service spaces under one roof.

• Preserve Urban Centers: the building was renovated, revitalized, and expanded within its two city block footprint.

• Vary Transportation Options: the facility is located on multiple public transit routes, in the center of the city, and adjacent to hotels and parking facilities. Vehicular and pedestrian access is easy and available.

• Build Vibrant Public Spaces: public circulation within the building is focused on transparent perimeters with views of the city. Use of indigenous finish materials promote a sense of local place.

• Create Neighborhood Identity: the new entrance canopy and unique façade identify the building as a grand public place with an outward focus to the city.

• Protect Environmental Resources: reuse of major portions of the existing building components and systems minimizes impact to landfill and need for new materials. The project achieved LEED Silver certification.

• Conserve Landscapes: program interior area was significantly expanded without increasing the building height or footprint.

• Design Matters: a bold facade featuring visual transparency allows the building, which often caters to out-of-town visitors, to be easily identified, understood, and remembered. Engaging spaces promote a positive user experience.

The design for the reimagined convention center highlights its civic role and presence in downtown Louisville. Its distinctive colonnade and canopy unify existing and new elements, while a new entryway acts as an inviting front porch for the city.