— Kelly Edinger-Stindt | PrincipalCommunities challenge us to grow and inspire us to reach higher. Each one needs a diverse cast of characters all working together for the greater good.
Community. Family. Faith. These have been unwavering sources of inspiration and have fundamentally shaped my career since I joined SFS in 1998.
I’ve always embraced the notion that architecture amplifies the purpose of the people who occupy it. Buildings should support our goals and aspirations, strengthen our bonds, and serve as places rooted in shared values; spaces where discourse can expand our wisdom and purpose. Balancing meaningful and engaging community-based architecture takes optimism, inspiration, courage, and humility.
Community is a remarkable concept to ponder and incredible to be part of. It can be as large as a city or as small as a few people. We belong to many communities, which may overlap or exist side by side, benefiting one another. Communities challenge us to grow and inspire us to reach higher. Each one needs a diverse cast of characters all working together for the greater good.
Through a wide range of project types, I’ve had the privilege of working with churches, schools, city administrations, municipal public works, fire stations, courthouses, and federal agencies. These have included comprehensive planning studies that lead to realistic, actionable building designs and multi-phase expansions. In every project, my goal remains the same: to use design to strengthen human connections and enhance purpose by creating inspired and functional spaces. Each project is unique, but they all contribute to empowering people to build stronger bonds and communities.
Some incredible people have mentored me here at SFS. Mike Shaughnessy influenced me early in my career with his passion for design, deep faith, unwavering commitment to family, and warm professionalism that uplifted everyone around him. When Marsha Hoffman joined SFS a few years before me, she was the only female architect at that time. Her courage and leadership elevating women in the profession set a powerful example that I’ve followed in my own leadership journey. We carry pieces of all our mentors, peers, and clients with us, and I’m deeply grateful for each of them. They’ve helped affirm my conviction to lead with empathy, trust, and love to develop long-term collaborations.
Our partnership with the City of Blue Springs, Missouri began over 40 years ago and I’m proud to have continued that legacy relationship by leading the 2019 expansion and adaptation of their City Hall, transforming it into a great place for staff and a hub for outstanding customer service. I’m also excited to be working with Blue Springs to plan and design their new Public Works Headquarters, further supporting the mission of maintaining a high standard for quality of life.
Another enduring partnership is Christ Lutheran Church in Overland Park, Kansas. My relationship with CLC began early in my career and became one of my first inspirations. Watching their initial development welcome the congregation showed me how our work truly impacts people and communities. Since then, I’ve been honored to help them realize multiple phases of expansion and evolution in their ministry and outreach.
I’m especially excited and humbled to be collaborating with my hometown on the new Independence Municipal Commons. This project blends my love of adaptive reuse, city administration, and workplace design into a creative solution that reimagines the traditional City Hall experience.
The impact of our work can’t be overstated. Whether it’s a programming or planning study, architectural or interior design, or development guidance, each effort shapes our communities. It is my responsibility and honor to lead with trust and to instill that same sense of purpose to build stronger communities and relationships.
“Communities challenge us to grow and inspire us to reach higher. Each one needs a diverse cast of characters all working together for the greater good.”
Kelly Stindt AIA Principal & Managing Partner
Related Projects
- Christ Lutheran Church
- Trinity Lutheran Church Shawnee Campus Masterplan
- Trinity Lutheran Church Shawnee Phase 2
- Christ Community Church Olathe
- St. Joseph Catholic Church Topeka
- St. Joseph Catholic Church Shawnee
- St. James Catholic Church
- St. Peter's Catholic Church and School
- GSA Region 6 Headquarters
- Fairway City Hall
- Blue Springs City Hall
- Bonner Springs Government Services Center
- Grandview Parks and Public Works Vehicle Maintenance Facility