News
Get to know AKA and what matters most to us. Take a look at our latest projects, community involvement, media mentions and awards achieved. We look forward to getting to know you, too.
- It started with a few community members: moms, dads, daycare providers, and business owners, who said, “Hey, something isn’t working here. Something needs to happen.” —- so, they said it louder, and repeatedly, until it caught on and resonated.
- Entities like the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation and the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce came alongside, they asked how they could help, and the idea took off.
- Ascension Via Christi saw this as a huge win to have in our community, let alone their backyard, and supported the cause with the land to build.
- Education (Manhattan Tech), Workforce (Kansas WorkforceONE), Healthcare (Manhattan Free Clinic), and Childcare (Childcare Business Initiative) were all identified as the organizations that would strengthen Manhattan’s future. They came together to create a one-of-a-kind hub.
- Anderson Knight was selected as the design firm, and BHS the contractor – more on that later.
- The project was fast and furious, with grant funding, and timelines. It was important to move the design through a tight timeline, with several stakeholders at the table. However, the team took on the challenge both personally and professionally. We knew what this would mean for our town.
- BHS was at the table and an excellent partner to work with. Once construction was underway, they worked tirelessly to see it to completion. They worked around the clock, always prepared for a walk-through or a quick change.
- The final touches were made, and over 200 people, alongside Governor Laura Kelly, cut the ribbon and toured the facility on a hot, breezy day in August.
A Community’s Dream Realized: The Flint Hills Community Accelerator
What began as a need, grew into an idea—one that the community rallied behind to bring to life. The result is a one-of-a-kind facility, designed as a model that other communities can replicate, uniting essential services to serve people of all backgrounds.
The Flint Hills Community Accelerator recently celebrated its ribbon-cutting and grand opening in Manhattan, KS. As the design team that led the project, we’ve got some proud moments we’d like to share.
However, eight bullet points do not really convey the real essence behind what the Accelerator means.
It’s the daycare providers working each and every day, adding much-needed daycare slots for our community. Learning alongside each other to one day start their own daycare business.
It’s workforce, finding available opportunities for job seekers to connect with training and new employment opportunities they hadn’t had before.
It’s the education and outreach of the Manhattan Tech campus, offering skills and programs to equip people with the necessary skills and prepare them for the workforce.
It’s access to essential healthcare for families of all kinds.
It’s more than a ribbon-cutting can capture, but it was an excellent start to get people in the door and actually see what strategic partnerships can do when they put their minds to it.
As the architects on the project, we were one part of a larger whole—one that we’re eager to watch as it creates a lasting impact not only in Manhattan, but across our entire state
This is why we do what we do. We live, work, and play in our community, so we can continue to make it better for those around us.
We seek to transform communities through design.
Congratulations to the Flint Hills Community Accelerator and all involved.
To learn more about the details of the project: PROJECT PAGE
To learn more directly about the Accelerator: https://www.flinthillscommunityaccelerator.org/
AKA becomes Passive House Certified
Nestled in the Flint Hills with stunning views of Tuttle Creek Lake, sat a dilapidated A-Frame home that hadn’t had a (human) visitor in over two decades. It was empty and weathered, and many would have walked away, but two special people came together and said, “Lets redefine how we want to live, with simplicity, efficiency and purpose.” What began as a modest renovation soon evolved into something more more…. a new lifestyle, and a certified Passive House.
Anderson Knight Architects are the first in the Flint Hills region to become Passive House Certified — in conjunction with our client and contractor, Back9 Development, to achieve a level of certification in sustainability and energy efficiency that many have never even heard of.
We invite you to join us on this journey of transformation and in the end became of a testament to the power of collaboration and the belief that good design can work within any form.
To learn more about Passive House — visit https://passivehouse.com
TOP 20 UNDER 40 YOUNG PROFESSIONALS
Heather Peterson, named top 20 under 40 young professionals in the region
The Manhattan, Wamego, and Junction City Chamber of Commerce came together to celebrate the 2025 top 20 under-40 young professionals in the region, and we had a wonderful time celebrating our very own Heather Peterson.
On Thursday, January 23rd, members from the Manhattan, Wamego, and Junction City communities came together to recognize these young professionals and their engagement toward growth in our region.
“We are incredibly honored to recognize such a distinguished group,” said Jason Smith, president and CEO of the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce. “Our membership has been committed to engaging young professionals for the past several years and we feel very strongly that one way to engage is to recognize achievement.”
Heather has been with Anderson Knight for nearly 10 years and has been a partner since 2023. She is a part of the 27% of women that make up the entire architect population.
“Heather is a very valuable employee to Anderson Knight. She consistently works to improve AKA and our community, and she most certainly deserves to be recognized for her contributions to our region, “ said Tracy Anderson, Partner at Anderson Knight Architects.
Heather currently serves on the boards of Manhattan Area Technical College, Pawnee Mental Health, Manhattan Optimist Club, Flint Hills Area Builders Association and is a Greater Manhattan Community Foundation Young Trustees member.