Skip to content

WE EMPOWER OUR TEAM, OUR CLIENTS AND COMMUNITIES THROUGH REWARDING EXPERIENCES AND INSPIRING LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS

WE EMPOWER OUR TEAM, OUR CLIENTS AND COMMUNITIES THROUGH REWARDING EXPERIENCES AND INSPIRING LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS

ABOUT HOLLIS + MILLER

The fires of creativity and innovation don’t light themselves. It’s a single spark – one simple idea – that can shape a young mind, that inspires learning that goes beyond the classroom. You have a vision for education, and we see it, too. We’ll provide the leadership and the roadmap to bring that vision to life.

Founded in 1950, Hollis + Miller is an integrated architecture firm that’s not only fluent in the language of education but designs the future of learning environments. Public, private, K-12 and higher education, we serve as an extension of your team as we create custom, research-backed designs and solutions—delivered on schedule and on budget, and with the same personal passion you bring to the classroom every day.

We’re listeners and collaborators, team-builders and project managers—working to elevate not only the school but the community as a whole. As educators, you nurture new ideas and ignite that spark in students every day; as designers, we’ll work with you to build the ideal space for that spark to grow.

ABOUT HOLLIS + MILLER
The fires of creativity and innovation don’t light themselves. It’s a single spark – one simple idea – that can shape a young mind, that inspires learning that goes beyond the classroom. You have a vision for education, and we see it, too. We’ll provide the leadership and the roadmap to bring that vision to life.

Founded in 1950, Hollis + Miller is an integrated architecture firm that’s not only fluent in the language of education but designs the future of learning environments. Public, private, K-12 and higher education, we serve as an extension of your team as we create custom, research-backed designs and solutions—delivered on schedule and on budget, and with the same personal passion you bring to the classroom every day.

We’re listeners and collaborators, team-builders and project managers—working to elevate not only the school but the community as a whole. As educators, you nurture new ideas and ignite that spark in students every day; as designers, we’ll work with you to build the ideal space for that spark to grow.

WE EMPOWER OUR TEAM, OUR CLIENTS AND COMMUNITIES THROUGH REWARDING EXPERIENCES AND INSPIRING LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS.

ABOUT HOLLIS + MILLER
Hollis + Miller Architects is an integrated architectural firm focused on designing the future of learning environments. One hundred team members represent values the firm has held for nearly 70 years.

Every individual is committed to providing inspiring environments for life-long learners and cultivating their reputation for delivering creative, research-based design and empowering communities to shape their futures.

we empower our team, our clients and communities through rewarding experiences and inspiring learning environments.

ABOUT HOLLIS + MILLER

Hollis + Miller Architects is an integrated architectural firm focused on designing the future of learning environments. One hundred team members represent values the firm has held for nearly 70 years.

Every individual is committed to providing inspiring environments for life-long learners and cultivating their reputation for delivering creative, research-based design and empowering communities to shape their futures.

furn_design1

Leadership

  • Justin Durham
    Justin Durham
    Partner
  • Kevin Nelson
    Kevin Nelson
    Partner
  • Greg Porter
    Greg Porter
    Partner
  • Ryan Walters
    Ryan Walters
    Partner

HISTORY

1950
Hollis + Miller Architects was founded in Kansas City by Don and Bob Hollis and Dave Miller.
2000
The Hollis + Miller Foundation began its purpose of extending the love and support of the Hollis + Miller family into the community around us. Our team continues this mission by regularly volunteering at Ronald McDonald House and the 18th & Broadway Community Garden, among many other organizations.
2010
Design U, Hollis + Miller’s internal continuing education program, was born from discussion at Hollis + Miller’s annual all-office retreat. It continues to provide opportunities for our team to grow and learn from each other and our peers.
2013
Olathe School District’s Heritage Elementary School was the first recipient of Hollis + Miller’s Learnscape initiative – a philanthropic effort, in which our team donates the design and construction of an outdoor classroom to an area school each year.
2015
Hollis + Miller Architects officially expanded its reach into Colorado, opening our office in Castle Rock – just outside Denver. This expansion allows us to extend our impact into Colorado communities.
2016
The Overland Park, Kansas, and Lee’s Summit, Missouri, offices merged into one office located in the historic Corrigan Station building in the Crossroads District of Kansas City, Missouri.

HISTORY

1950
Hollis + Miller Architects was founded in Kansas City by Don and Bob Hollis and Dave Miller.
2000
The Hollis + Miller Foundation began its purpose of extending the love and support of the Hollis + Miller family into the community around us. Our team continues this mission by regularly volunteering at Ronald McDonald House and the 18th & Broadway Community Garden, among many other organizations.
2010
2010
Design U, Hollis + Miller’s internal continuing education program, was born from discussion at Hollis + Miller’s annual all-office retreat. It continues to provide opportunities for our team to grow and learn from each other and our peers.
2013
Olathe School District’s Heritage Elementary School was the first recipient of Hollis + Miller’s Learnscape initiative – a philanthropic effort, in which our team donates the design and construction of an outdoor classroom to an area school each year.
2015
Hollis + Miller Architects officially expanded its reach into Colorado, opening our office in Castle Rock – just outside Denver. This expansion allows us to extend our impact into Colorado communities.
2016
The Overland Park, Kansas, and Lee’s Summit, Missouri, offices merged into one office located in the historic Corrigan Station building in the Crossroads District of Kansas City, Missouri.

Leadership

  • Kirk Horner
    Kirk Horner
    Senior Partner
  • John Southard
    John Southard
    Senior Partner
  • Chris Heinz
    Chris Heinz
    Senior Partner
  • John Brown
    John Brown
    Senior Partner
  • Keegan Jackson
    Keegan Jackson
    Senior Partner
  • Michelle Chavey
    Michelle Chavey
    Senior Partner

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND PARTNERS

  • We are always looking to grow the individual, grow the firm. It is so exciting to announce promotions for Lana and… https://t.co/EfG2GdBFMz 1 year ago
  • Another awesome learning environment coming to life this fall! We can't wait to see the finished product.… https://t.co/Gra0XMsUQk 1 year ago
  • We are so proud to have been named the #2 Interior Design firm in the Kansas City area! Our integrated studios brin… https://t.co/IuWSDbJIYn 1 year ago
  • Our offices are closed today in observance of Independence Day. We hope you enjoy the day with family and friends!… https://t.co/gfyn9lZ01l 1 year ago

Follow Us

Justin Durham
Partner

Justin pulls on his boots and gets to work.

He spends a lot of time on site, up close and personal with the facilities we design. He’s never one to shy away from a challenge. Whether it’s a tricky renovation project or the construction of our new office, Justin tackles it head on, without hesitation. He employs this experience and insight to be the greatest advocate and champion for our educational partners. He really does rock those cowboy boots, too.

Kevin Nelson
Partner

Kevin is always on the move.

Whether he’s off to a design charrette, school board meeting or his daughter’s dance class, Kevin doesn’t slow down. But, he’s got a knack for giving those around him his full and undivided attention. It’s this never-ending empathy and compassion that makes him a remarkable Partner, putting our educational partners first and inspiring our design teams to do the same.

Greg Porter
Partner

Greg is all about innovation.

He spent three months traveling around the country learning all he could about digital fabrication and then came back and got everyone in the office excited about it. He loves finding ways to integrate traditional methods with innovative strategies. As Partner leading our Colorado office, Greg works with clients and design teams across the front range to design innovative solutions. He’s also got a home workshop most craftsmen would drool over.

Ryan Walters
Partner

Ryan cares about wellness.

He doesn’t just care about his own or his family’s, but rather the wellness of the students and communities we serve, as well as the world around us. So, it was fitting that he would craft sustainable design standards for the firm. As a Partner, Ryan leads project teams to think about the health and comfort of the learners in the environments we design. If you’ve ever wanted to know about the psychology of wellness, Ryan’s also got a degree in that.

Kirk Horner
Senior Partner

Kirk is a planner.

By that, we don’t mean he keeps a clean calendar. We mean he’s got binders, color-coded systems, and 14 pages of goals, both personal and professional. Lucky for us and our clients, Kirk shares his planning skills with all of us. He quotes his proudest accomplishment in his 34 years at Hollis + Miller as honing our focus on learning environments.

Kirk has a passion to bring positive, measurable change to the families and communities he serves, both personally and professionally. This huge heart for family is what makes Kirk so successful. Even his wife, Kelly, and the three Horner children, all grown now, are familiar faces around the office. As an Eagle Scout, Kirk loves all things outdoors. This love led to accomplishing his lifelong dream of hiking Appalachian Trail, which he calls a truly remarkable and life-changing experience. Kirk is looking forward to beginning his next chapter in retirement as a Ranger for the United States National Park Service.

 

 

 

 

John Southard
Senior Partner

John takes everything in stride.

No matter the situation, John is sure to stay calm, cool and collected. He’s been around the block a few times since his internship with Hollis + Miller Architects in 1983. He says he was blessed to be invited back after graduation, and we feel pretty blessed to have him here, too. These days, John’s our numbers guy – keeping our books in order and us all in line.

John’s roots run deep in Kansas City, with all his family being Kansas City natives. He and his wife, Patty, recently celebrated 30 years of marriage. Though they share a lot together, you won’t find Patty in the Southards’ garden. That’s Johnny’s baby. Their two sons are both in college – one after finishing a four-year tour with the Marines. John says his life is rich because of the people in it and the experiences he shares with them.

Chris Heinz
Senior Partner

Keeping us on course…

Chris has been with Hollis + Miller since 2004 and throughout that time has worn many hats. His 30+ years of design experience across the nation make him the perfect fit to provide overall design direction for the firm, as well as leading our Emerging Professionals and helping them find a successful track. He also provides leadership to the firm’s marketing team, and has become our in-house expert when it comes to charter schools and independent schools, helping clients navigate each step of the process.

Chris’s laid back demeanor is evident when you pass his office, with an open door and music streaming, he’s happy to chat design or the latest football game. Otherwise, he can be found having a laugh on the golf course, spending time with his three kids or directing a home renovation project.

John Brown
Senior Partner

It started when he was a kid.

John stayed up until the wee hours of the morning working on his Lego models as a child, and his parents let him. If that doesn’t make them the coolest parents, we don’t know what does. It paid off – John knew early on he would be an architect. He’s known as the quiet, thoughtful guy. He’s sure to think everything through, which is what makes him perfect to lead project delivery and man power resources. John is very active in his community because he believes a community is more vibrant and alive when individuals give back. These strong Missouri ties naturally steered him toward leading our Missouri Public K-12 Education team.

At home, John enjoys cheering on his three now-grown children at their sporting events. John is an athlete himself, playing pickleball, soccer and trying to get out to the slopes to ski whenever he can.

Keegan Jackson
Senior Partner

    Keegan cares.

    His passion of providing engaging, nurturing learning environments for students brought him to Hollis + Miller 25 years ago. Keegan works with passion and purpose to deeply embed himself in communities and understand its members’ needs, so he can make a positive impact. As the partner who oversees Talent Relations, he channels that same empathy and compassion into ensuring our office is as comfortable and encouraging as the learning environments we design.

    If you need a recommendation for a truly unforgettable vacation, Keegan’s your guy. He takes his passion for community on the road when he and his wife, Beth, and their two children travel to locations off the beaten path, sampling the local cuisine and getting to know the local residents.

    Michelle Chavey
    Senior Partner

    With Michelle, learning never stops.

    Driven by curiosity and her desire to understand learning, Michelle built a strong foundation in architecture that evolved into a total focus on education and the learning process. She doesn’t just talk about learning, she immerses herself in it. Michelle is an Accredited Learning Environment Planner, and graduated with her doctorate in Educational Leadership at Kansas State in 2021, all while researching educational advances and how spaces impact the way the brain learns. These topics drive our team to continue investigating how our brains develop, how social and emotional support is provided to students and how design can impact curriculum.

    When not at the office, Michelle can be found spending time with her husband and three daughters, starting her day with a yoga session and ending it whipping up something in the kitchen. Whether it’s cookies or cakes, baking treats for others is her jam, and when she can’t carve out the time in her own kitchen, she finds a bit of happy in a coffee shop watching other bakers work their magic.