Henry W. Bloch Executive Hall for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI-KANSAS CITY
THE VISION
LOCH
The Henry W. Bloch School of Management began as the School of Business in 1953 and was endowed by Henry W. Bloch in 1986. Over time, it has evolved into a visionary leader in management education, with a twin-pillar approach to transform talent in the for-profit as well as the nonprofit and public sectors. Today, three simple goals define the Bloch School: to transform the way management is taught through new methods of experiential learning; to inspire people to be more like the school’s benefactor, Henry Bloch, through a continuum of success and giving back; and to become the world’s model institution for entrepreneurship and innovation.
Guided by these goals, the Bloch School has earned a well-deserved reputation for excellence, garnering national and global rankings and awards across its programs. The state-of-the-art Henry W. Bloch Executive Hall for Entrepreneurship and Innovation is a key part of the Bloch School’s strategy for building on past success and accommodating projected growth, particularly for the school’s graduate, executive and entrepreneurship programs. The Executive Hall, along with the historic Bloch School building, links the tradition and proud history of the Bloch School with the future of management education.
THE BENEFACTOR Henry W. Bloch is best known around the world as co-founder of tax empire H&R Block. But in Kansas City, Bloch is a dearly beloved benefactor of education, the arts and the community. He exemplifies the characteristics of a true entrepreneur, even though his story begins
THE NEW PEDAGOGY A university facility that has evolved beyond stationary desks and chalkboards. State-of-the-art classrooms where students dream, brainstorm, innovate, create, interact and otherwise learn by doing. Educational spaces that encourage
the imagination to soar. Lightfilled, energetic community spaces where anything seems possible. These tenets of experiential learning are the foundation for the design of the Henry W. Bloch Executive Hall for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
long before that word was used in common vocabulary. His dream for the Bloch School is to see it become a globally preeminent school of management. Today, the Bloch School vision closely mirrors Bloch’s own philosophy: that what you give back
after achieving success is as important as the success itself. Bloch has served as a mentor, friend and role model to UMKC students over the years. His story of tenacity, hard work, integrity and “no shortcuts” will continue to inspire management students for generations to come.
THE BLOCH SCHOOL
is a leader in fostering experiential learning for management students. With the opening of the Henry W. Bloch Executive Hall for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, the University of Missouri-Kansas City sets a new standard for management schools nationwide. The state-of-the-art educational facility is designed to inspire team learning and idea sharing. By creating and collaborating in an environment that teaches not only deep competency in core disciplines but also a global, team and entrepreneurial mindset, students
The path of
gain the edge needed to succeed in today’s technology-savvy world. Interior spaces are flexible, with walls in three active learning classrooms that can be reconfigured. Rooms are equipped with multiple monitors for presentations and whiteboards for notes and ideas. The fully wired classrooms allow students and faculty to share words, pictures, spreadsheets and other content rapidly. Tables and chairs are on wheels so students can roll easily into groups. Among the spaces where students can dream, brainstorm, create, interact and otherwise learn
by doing are the Innovation Lab, where prototypes are built and ideas are tested; the Finance Lab, where market trading is simulated in real time; and the Behavioral Research Laboratory, where faculty and student researchers conduct applied research and experiments that provide insight into consumer behavior. Square and reserved on the outside, the building surprises inside with exuberant curves. Natural light from three large skylights overhead floods the space. The imaginative design defies constraint and encourages creativity and optimism among students and faculty.
. e n i l t h g i a r innovation is never a st
THE HIGHLIGHTS INNOVATION LAB
Imagine. Iterate. Simulate. Create. The Innovation Lab lets students transform knowledge into experience with brainstorming, prototyping and simulation facilities.
BEHAVIORAL RESEARCH LABORATORY
A true research laboratory, the Behavioral Research Lab propels the Bloch School in hands-on consumer behavior research, much of which is conducted by students.
FINANCE LAB
The Finance Lab gives faculty and students access to real-time data in a market environment, preparing students to integrate quickly into a financial team.
ACTIVE LEARNING CLASSROOMS
Classrooms that can be partitioned or combined into larger spaces provide a teamlearning, technology-rich, interactive experience.
GREEN LEADER
The building aims to achieve LEED Gold certification. Insulated exterior panels and window glass reduce energy costs by 48 percent.
CAMPUS CONNECTION
Precast terra cotta panels in stripes of yellow, red, orange and brown harmonize with the Executive Hall’s campus surroundings, including the historic Bloch building and the UMKC Student Union.
CREDITS BNIM Architect of Record and Co-Design Architect Moore Ruble Yudell Architects and Planners Co-design Architect
bloch.umkc.edu
JE Dunn Construction
BSM 13090667