Behnisch team-presentation-board

BEHNISCH TEAM

Now! : Quick Wins

Our project does not have a completion date in 2015. We believe that the

process has already started and that there are opportunities to introduce first

interventions in 2010. Our aggressive phasing strategy is not proposing a

breakneck fast-track procurement method, but instead a process where legal

opportunities to commence with select key ‘Quick Win’ projects are quickly

implemented to signal to the people of St. Louis that the process is underway.

Before 2015 : Gaining Momentum

We are proposing that the city starts transforming four key entrance gate-

ways into the Arch grounds immediately with low cost initiatives that take

place in the right-of-way of the public in close dialogue with adjacent build-

ing stakeholders that are informed of the further phasing and process.

2015 : New Perspectives

Festival! Or: An event for St Louis. In 2015 the Arch celebrates its 50th an-

niversary. It offers an opportunity to make the Arch grounds a local destina-

tion with new program celebrating the Arch again, new phase / Catalyst for

the city with new programs and amenities, a reinterpretation of the Arch

grounds, a destination for the citizens of St Louis.

Future : Sustained Vitality

Provision of a sustainable long range plan for the citizens of St Louis and

East St Louis. A framework plan with built in flexibility allowing for many

different uses and developments in the future.

GREAT RIVERS EXPO – INTERNATIONAL BUILDING AND LANDSCAPE EXHIBITION

The RIVERCIRCLE! | NATIONAL MALL concept, framing urban, landscape, architectural and artistic activity, emerges from a sustaining vision of

integrated regional development, an encircling strategic plan and organization we propose as the GREAT RIVERS EXPO – THE INTERNATIONAL

BUILDING AND LANDSCAPE EXHIBITION ST. LOUIS.

GREAT RIVERS EXPO is partly a building exhibition in the classic, architectural sense, but is also a federal and state-supported entity that over-

sees individual redevelopment projects and an overarching Master Plan. A variety of landscape and architecture, art projects will be developed

over time rather than developed as a single event.

The mission, mandate and timeframe illustrate the most productive contemporary thinking in the ecological and economic regeneration of a

former industrial region; the methods and designs emerging from this strategy are best described as “Sustained Vitality.”

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1950 2000 2050

The RIVERCIRCLE urban landscape concept proposes a durable framework for the evolution of

the Arch grounds within the larger milieu of St. Louis and East St. Louis addressing the many

current stakeholder interests on both sides of the river. The design strategy of the Great Rivers

Expo and the RIVERCIRCLE will provide the physical framework for visitors to experience the

many new and diverse places and events.

To achieve this goal we will make sure that all planning and design proposals emerging out of

our Rivercircle! concept will be based on the close relationship between people’s natural use

of public spaces and the physical character and form of the built environment while embracing

the unique qualities of the local context on both sides of the Mississippi River. Rivercircle shall

open up, invite and include people, provide different activities and possibilities and thereby

invite and ensure multiplicity and diversity.

1960

A fragmented urban fabric Reconnected and whole once more

2015

R IVERCIRCLE

GATEWAy MALL : CLOSE CHESTNUT (EVENTS)

WASHINGTON PLAzA : A NEW LOCAL MARkET

UNDER POPLAR BRIDGE : AN URBAN SPORTS PARk

EAST RIVERBANk : ACCESS OVER FLOODWALL CULTURAL INCUBATOR

EADS BRIDGE

GATEWAy MALL

LOCAL PROGRAMS RESOURCE CENTERAMPHITHEATER

GONDOLAMEMORIAL BLVD.

MUSIC PROjECT

MUSEUM ENTRy

EAST AND WEST RIVER EDGE TRANSFORMATIONS

RIVER EDGE EXTENSIONS

TRAIL NETWORk

A Strategic Perspective

I-70 REMOVAL

PROGRAM EXTENSIONMULTI-PURPOSE VENUE

NEW ARTS COLLECTIVE

Site Section - 2015

BEHNISCH TEAM

Site Plan - 2015

Storm water Strategy

We propose a network of wetlands, bio-swales, canals and channels that capture, cleanse and reuse the site

and adjacent landscape’s storm water runoff.

Reconnecting a Fragmented Ecology

Reclaiming of a native landscape that celebrates the ecological history of the Bottomlands will restore the

matrix of marsh, scrub, woodlands, and seasonal floodplain to the site. The site invites visitors from across

the River to play, recreate and meander through the restored Bottomland woodlands and marshes, amongst

boardwalks, hiking trails, and picnic groves.

RIVERCIRCLE

The RIVERCIRCLE traverses a series of different and ever changing landscapes and urban conditions, con-

necting them while allowing for an exciting and diverse experience.

N

Introducing and Connecting New Landscapes and Ecologies Hydrology - Stormwater Strategy Interconnected Public Space Network

GONDOLA CONSTRUCTION BEGINS

‚THE BEND‘ AMPHITHEATER CONSTRUCTION BEGINS

CITY BALCONY CONSTRUCTION BEGINS

MUSEUM CONSTRUCTION BEGINS

I-70 CAP CONSTRUCTION BEGINSCHESTNUT PAVILION CONSTRUCTION BEGINS RESOURCE CENTER CONSTRUCTION BEGINS

EAST RIVERBANK PARK CONSTRUCTION BEGINS

WASHINGTON PLAZA CONSTRUCTION

POPLAR STREET SPORTS CONSTRUCTIONPOPLAR STREET NOISE BARRIER EADS BRIDGE IMPROVEMENTS STUDY BEGINS

MUSIC PROJECT CONSTRUCTION BEGINSCYCLE PATH CONSTRUCTION BEGINS

NEW SERVICE FACILITY CONSTRUCTION BEGINS

MEMORIAL BLVD. TRANSFORMATION AND PEDESTRIAN BRIDGES CONSTRUCTION BEGINS

2011

2012

2013

2014 JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY20

15

EQUINOX FESTMARCH 31ST

WINTER FESTFEBRUARY 1ST

FAIR ST. LOUISJULY 4TH




QUICK WINS - TEMPORARY EVENTS

PROJECT AWARD

CLOSE EADS FOR 'TASTE OF ST. LOUIS ' FOOD FESTIVALA QUICK WIN

CLOSE CHESTNUT FOR ICE SKATINGA QUICK WIN


WASHINGTON AVE. MILE LONG GARAGE SALEA QUICK WIN

LEONOR K. SULLIVAN TEMPORARY URBAN BEACHA QUICK WINUP AND OVER - THE EAST RIVERBANK OPENING

A QUICK WINCHOUTEAU‘S LANDING SKATING COMPETITIONA QUICK WIN

PERMANENT EVENT PLATFORMS

PUBLIC ART AND BUILT EXHIBIT OPENINGSPUBLIC ART INSTALLATIONON THE MISSISSIPPI PUBLIC ART INSTALLATION

EADS BRIDGE

PUBLIC ART INSTALLATIONMEMORIAL BLVD.



PUBLIC ART INSTALLATIONGATEWAY MALL

PUBLIC ART INSTALLATIONON THE MISSISSIPPI


LANDSCAPE ART OPENINGCULTURAL INCUBATOR

PUBLIC ART OPENINGGATEWAY MALL





PUBLIC ART OPENINGARCH GROUNDS

CHANGING LANDSCAPE EXHIBITARCH GROUNDS

CHANGING LANDSCAPE EXHIBITGATEWAY MALL


CHANGING LANDSCAPE EXHIBITMEMORIAL BLVD.



EVENT / FESTIVAL

LIVE ON THE LEVEEARCH GROUNDS CONCERT

LIVE ON THE LEVEE

LIVE ON THE LEVEEARCH GROUNDS CONCERT SERIES

LAND ART AND EXHIBIT OPENINGS

LANDSCAPE / ECOLOGY PROJECTS

LANDSCAPE / ECOLOGY QUICK WINS

CITY LIFE / PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT

VICTORY PARTY ON EADSA QUICK WIN

ARBOR DAY TREE PLANTINGA QUICK WIN ARBOR DAY TREE PLANTING

A QUICK WIN

ARBOR DAY TREE PLANTINGA QUICK WIN

ESL EQUINOX FESTIVALESL EQUINOX FESTIVAL

I-70 CAPPED

STAGE 1 : NOW! STAGE 2 : GAINING MOMENTUM

GRAND OPENING ST. LOUIS MUSIC PROJECTGRAND OPENING

EADS UNVEILEDART FESTIVAL


MEMORIAL BLVD. OPENSFESTIVAL

OLD RAIL TRACK ART PLATFORMFIRST SHOW CELEBRATING ESL INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE

ARCH GROUNDS LANDSCAPE EXHIBITFIRST SHOW CELEBRATING THE CULTURAL LANDSCAPE OF MISSISSIPPI

RESOURCE CENTERGRAND OPENING

EAST RIVERBANK PARKGRAND OPENING

ARCH GROUNDS TREE REPLACEMENTTRANSFER CEREMONYCITY PAVILION OPENS

CHESTNUT STREET FESTIVAL

WASHINGTON PLAZA MARKETOPENING

CITY BALCONYGRAND OPENING

ARCH GROUNDS PUBLIC SPACE NETWORKGRAND OPENING

STAGE 3 : NEW PERSPECTIVES

MEMORIAL BLVD. LANDSCAPE EXHIBITFIRST SHOW CELEBRATING THE NEW PUBLIC REALM

ESL TREE NURSERY ESTABLISHEDPLANS AND TREES FOR ECOLOGICAL TRANSFORMATION

POPLAR STREET SPORTS OPENEXTREME SPORT TOURNAMENT

ESL RIVERFRONT FLORA AND FAUNA INVENTORYA QUICK WIN

STORMWATER DEMONSTRATION GARDENA QUICK WIN

ESL BIO-COMPOSTING OPENSENERGY GENERATION AND SOIL REMEDIATION

SEP. 2010

CYCLE PATH OPENSCONFLUENCE RACEPOPLAR STREET NOISE BARRIER

POPLAR STREET CELEBRATION FESTIVAL

BEHNISCH TEAM

Gateway Mall and the Arch Museum (looking west from the top of the Arch)

In St. Louis, Charles Charles sways, then steadies himself against

the carpeted window wall atop the Arch – was it the Arch moving in

the wind, or was the view that magnetic now? He’d been at the top

too many times before to lose his equilibrium easily. Why, he’d been

at the top at the very moment it became a full and connected Arch,

that scorching day in ‘65 when the final triangular element had been

hoisted up and levered into place. Even in the heat, the view from

the top that day was grand, outranking all others since then gained

from the interior observation area – the great bowl of the Midwest

horizon, visible for 360 degrees, was almost overwhelming: he had

never felt so centered. There’s just something different in the views

west and east, more in the immediate field of his vision down below

to both directions, that’s got him shifting his feet and craning his head

from side to side. He hears similar exclamations from the others in his

group –the construction crew veterans, brought back by the city and

the Park Service for the day’s events. To the west, in the fall twilight,

he sees the Gateway Mall and the city’s downtown stretching west,

but there’s now the new City Pavilion in front of the Old Courthouse,

a new pedestrian boulevard fronting the Arch Grounds, and a new il-

luminated west entry to the Arch museums; Eads Bridge glows with

activity and to the east, where once had been brown fields, an orches-

tra is clearly performing at the new amphitheatre beyond that, there

A NEW MONUMENTALITY

Our proposed new design narrative suggests a recon-

ceived understanding of “monumentality,” in urban, ar-

chitectural, and landscape architectural terms. We pro-

pose RIVERCIRCLE for the continental center, organized

but not bounded by the flow of the great Mississippi

River, and encircled around and across it by an aggregate

of well-scaled, highly accessible, distinctive public places,

parks, promenades, performance stages, resource centers

and recreation fields. The River runs through it all – and is

thereby granted status as more than an economic or in-

dustrial resource, but as a carrier of American culture, in

both real and metaphorical ways. As an organizing con-

cept, this encircling sequence of public activities, is cap-

tured by the compound noun RIVERCIRCLE.

Gateway Mall - Public Realm Plan

Direct Route

Meandering Route

are the outlines of the new Great Rivers Resource Center he’d been

told about. Suddenly, he wants to endure the cramped elevator car

ride back down the north leg as soon as possible, get out to the Arch

Grounds, get himself re-oriented to the life of the new St. Louis. He

thinks: I’ve had my balance all along – here in the life of this city.

A NEW MONUMENTALITY CELEBRATING THE NOWIn St. Louis, Xiao Feng considers, as he rides into the city’s

downtown on the Metro Red Line from the Lambert Airport, he has

surely come to a regular American river city – small to be sure post-in-

dustrial, cultured in the more typical American ways, probably – base-

ball, he had heard, was nearly a religion to the citizens. But, here too

was Boeing, and Monsanto, and the Budweiser beer company that

had sponsored the Beijing Olympics not too many years ago, and the

great research universities. The Red Line works effectively, he thinks,

fending off jet-lag, and there on the evening horizon is the unmistak-

able illuminated Arch that is known around the world as the icon of

the city. Fantastic, he smiles, as if the form has fallen from the sky to

the riverbank in the middle of the city. A symphony is playing the final suite of Handel’s “Water Music”

on the sloping lawn underneath the overwhelming upward reach of the Arch, to a magnificent shower of

fireworks arcing out from the riverbank below and the exuberant applause of thousands of listeners and

onlookers spread out across the plazas, pedestrian streets and park-places in front of him. A leaflet is thrust

into his hand : “St. Louis welcomes the world! Join us for Festival St. Louis! Join us for a celebration of the

Great Rivers! Join us for David Robertson’s St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and the greatest assembly of

rhythm, blues and jazz on the riverbanks! Join us at the new national mall, the Arch grounds of America!”

It is not the Fourth of July, he knows, but the citizens are out on this October night, in a celebration of the

city itself, there are tens of thousands of people milling among rows of open air kiosks, amid scents of bar-

beque, cornbread. The hotel can wait, he thinks, I may never have a chance to hear Chuck Berry again. He

re-considers, humming “Johnnie B Good”: not really a regular river city after all.

Arch Museum - Axon Diagram

ARCH GROUNDS EXISTING TOPOGRAPHy

A NEW ENTRy FROM GATEWAy MALL

TOPOGRAPHICALLy INTEGRATED CAFE

DIRECT ACCESS TO THE CENTRAL LAWN AND BASE OF ARCH

EXPANDED MUSEUM EXHIBITS

ARCHIVE AND SUPPORT SPACE

Museum Entry Perspective (looking east)

A NEW NARRATIVE

The 1947 jNEM Competition stands as a testament to a bold civic and national vision of the

future. Eero Saarinen’s narrative for his winning design, “An Imaginary Tour of the Proposed

Jefferson National Expansion Memorial,” emphasized the singular, static, perfected, highly

visual and ultimately isolated nature of the design: this was a monument reflective of its time,

technology and outlook. We live in a different world in many ways – and St. Louis is a different

city now in many ways – and we therefore propose a new design narrative to expand and in-

vigorate Saarinen and kiley’s achievements. Our design narrative cautions against conventional

monumental responses to the grandeur of Saarinen and kiley’s ambitions; such gestures, we

believe, will not save St. Louis and its citizens. Instead, our new narrative espouses diverse and

multiple perspectives, a dynamic conception of city and landscape, the tactile and the experi-

ential, the contingent and the imperfect, all with the ambition of promoting heightened civic

identity and engaged public activity.












2011

2012

2013


15








PROJECT AWARD









EADS BRIDGE




















EVENT / FESTIVAL


LIVE ON THE LEVEE








A QUICK WIN



I-70 CAPPED






















SEP. 2010



BEHNISCH TEAM

Mississippi River Amphitheater ‘The Bend’Directly across from the Arch, a contemporary theater space will be embedded into the landscape of the

eastern river bank. A light tensile roof structure covers the main seating area and functions as a protective

floating canopy, a beacon on the river illuminated at night for dramatic viewing experience. ‘The Bend’,

upon successful introduction in july 2015 will host events during the summer and into the fall season fea-

turing music concerts, theater plays, and other private and public events on its floating stage.

• A new beacon of identity for the river’s East Side

• A new addition to the region’s cultural rich environment vis-a-vis the Arch

• A viewing platform to experience the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial

A RIVER OF CULTURERE-ESTABLISH THE MISSISSIPPI AS A CULTURAL LIFELINE

In St. Louis, Carol thinks, all you heard about growing up was the

Arch…that gleaming bend of stainless steel on the banks of the river;

And you went dutifully to show family friends visiting from out of

town, and then perhaps to Fair St. Louis on a Fourth of July weekend,

to see the fireworks arching over the river. But that was all before the

competition, which had proposed such ideas and initiative for both

sides of the river before those fantastic build-up events, anticipating

new vitality to downtown and the east and west banks of the river –

really, who could have imagined Leonor K. Sullivan Drive as a riverside

beach, or Taste St. Louis stretching across Eads Bridge – who could

have imagined? That was all before the construction, finally bridging

the gap across the interstate, then transforming the east bank levee

into a dramatic esplanade, then lacing the bridges and city streets to-

gether with the park, then majestically sending a line of gondola cars

wafting above the river – and definitely before today, October 15,

2015, the day of the ribbon cutting for the new Gateway Museum

below the Arch, the opening events for Festival St. Louis – the nation’s

largest commissioned installation of public art situated in the newly

restored American Bottoms park on the east bank. Seeing all this from

the gondola car windows, hearing the exclamations of the visitors

around her, Carol thinks, this is now, this is here, in my city, in my life

– a place I be proud of, a place I can come to again and again, a place

of Arch and Arch grounds, a place I know as home.

‘The Bend’ Amphitheater (view from the Mississippi River Gondola, looking north-east)

A RIVER OF CULTURE

In many cases there has been a reluctance to abandon the

cultural capital embodied in historic centers. This has been

abundantly true in St Louis, despite many dire warnings

since 1947 that the central city was obsolete, doomed, and

best left to ”lie fallow” for generations. Although the riv-

er travel and rail based reasons for the centrality of this

downtown have long since been superseded by the easy

availability of vehicular transportation, the river-centered

city’s cultural significance in the region has not diminished.

Activating St. Louis’ river-based downtown in a way that

we now identify with urban life; with pedestrian vitality,

a wide range of activities, and extensive access to natural

areas along the riverfront itself is one of our key missions.

0 100 200 400

N

Cultural Incubator Section0 100 200 400

‘The Bend’ Amphitheater - Axon Diagram

FLOATING SERVICE BARGE WITH BACkSTAGE PROGRAM

WOOD BENCHES - SEATING ELEMENTS

FLOATING STAGE

BACk-OF-HOUSE PROGRAM

PUBLIC PROMENADE AND OUTDOOR FOyER

VISITOR AMENITIESCAFE / RESTAURANT, BAR,

FRANCHISE SHOPS, TICkETS AND RECEPTION, BATHROOMS

CANOPy

LANDFORM BASE

ARCH GROUNDS

Gondola - Concept Sketch

A new visitor’s attraction and

part of the Rivercircle network,

the Gondola is designed as an

engineering marvel with cabins

of high visual transparency to

allow for maximum panoramic

viewing experience.












2011

2012

2013


15








PROJECT AWARD









EADS BRIDGE




















EVENT / FESTIVAL


LIVE ON THE LEVEE








A QUICK WIN



I-70 CAPPED






















SEP. 2010



BEHNISCH TEAM

Resource Center Typical Floor Plan 1” = 100’

Resource Center for the American Bottoms / Great Rivers A cutting-edge facility for interdisciplinary research, education, and productivity with focus on the many

ecologies of the Great Rivers and the American Bottoms. Defining the role of our built environment as a

helping tool for a productive re-naturalization of a depleted industrial landscape. Weaving outdoors and

indoor spaces seamlessly, self supporting and energy-neutral.

• An interdisciplinary research facility focused on the re-naturalization efforts for the American Bottoms

• A facility with the mission to research and educate

• Its mission, as an interdisciplinary facility, is to provide scientific guidance, technical assistance and

education for the preservation, conservation and enhancement of park resources within the American

Bottoms Landscapes and along the Great Rivers.

Resource Center for the American Bottoms - Axon Diagram

A MULTI-GENERATIONAL COMMITMENTA LARGER VISION CAN OVERCOME COMPLEX PROBLEMS

In St. Louis, Sasha inhales the fragrances of a really green spring

day wafting through the air on the east side of the River: she would not

have missed this day for the world. Sasha remembers asking her sister

Alex to show her “a few of her favorite things”, and Alex has brought

her here, to this circular drum-like building in the new parklands across

the Eads Bridge, a place Alex calls the Great Rivers Resource Center,

full of flowers, and plants, and guides and lots of hands-in-the-dirt

stuff to do. She’d liked the place from the start – one spiraling ramp

curved throughout the inside of the drum)…as much fun as the zoo,

she thinks. Alex seems to be having just as much fun, she seems to

know the names of just about all the plants and how they grow, and

what made them special to St. Louis; these were subjects she had in

her landscape architecture program at Wash U…funny name for a

school, Sasha smiles. Ha, then there was the funny name of the park-

lands – the American Bottoms Nature Reserve, the guide had said –

and Sasha giggles at the thought!. Funny, too, to imagine that some-

times this whole area had been flooded by the river, and maybe would

be again soon – and that that was expected to happen, that that was

what rivers did; and now I know that’s what has to happen to make

the parklands come alive. Under the canopy of the trees, a friendly

woman is pouring glasses of an iced drink; “it’s elderberry tea,” Alex

tell her, and Sasha sips the new flavor gratefully. The sun through the

tree leaves dapples her face. Sasha inhales the fragrances again. She

smiles, looks up at Alex and says brightly, “The air is green!”

Resource Center for the American Bottoms (looking west)

Multi Generational Commitment

The proposal outlines a framework for a rapid, yet thought-

ful, development that can begin now, yet will also allow

future generations to continue to enhance the urban en-

vironment of the St Louis region. We recognize that as

designers we cannot always accurately predict what the

future will bring. At the same time, this project identi-

fies those aspects of living, working and urban magnetism

that we know to be among the key ingredients of urban

success. This project is intended not only for the people

of St Louis today, but also for 2015, and the many genera-

tions that will follow and live in this region.

City BalconyA new experience on the River between Eads Bridge and Poplar Street Bridge, featuring a variety of new

activities as part of the City’s new river experience. The balcony’s edge is of dynamic quality providing a

variety of spatial experiences for viewing, resting, activity, and events.

• New activities on the riverbank for increased use and popularity

• Cobblestone and riparian plantings will act as filtration and cleansing buffers

• Changing water levels of the river will create an ever changing river edge

In St. Louis, Michael wonders, how could this view of the Arch

and his hometown – from the east bank levee promenade of the Mis-

sissippi – be any better? Having woken up in his downtown loft to the

bright summer sunshine of this July Fourth morning, he’d jumped on

his bike, headed down Washington Avenue – zigzagged through the

farmer’s market at the east end already setting up and crossed the

gloriously restored Eads Bridge to pick up the Great Rivers bike trail on

the east bank. Cycling south along the raised esplanade between a

series of islands, passing by the early morning joggers, walkers, stroll-

ers, and cyclists, he can’t keep his eyes from straying across the rip-

pling river. Low flood stage today, Michael thinks, a good omen for

the day’s festivities and the evening fireworks – which, are going to be

bigger and more attended than ever, now that the new Arch grounds,

the Gateway Mall, and this east side park were all in place. Approach-

ing the “Bend” , its tensile structured roof forms floating above the

tree line, Michael slows and then stops for a crowd overflowing out

onto the path from the sloped amphitheater built out from the levee

into the river. He has a clear view down the terraces to the river stage,

The East Levee Esplanade (looking south)

to an assembly of people facing a black-robed judge, a single, gen-

tly fluttering American flag, and the Arch beyond, hands over their

hearts. “…and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, with

liberty and justice for all,” he hears. There’s a silence after the verse,

and then the morning breeze picks up off the river, and a wave of ap-

plause breaks out. Citizenship, Michael smiles, received in this national

park, this urban garden, this new national mall – could there be a bet-

ter place for it to occur?

East Riverfront Section

City Balcony - West Riverfront Section

HISTORIC COBBLESTONE LEVEELEONOR k. SULLIVAN BLVD.

SHARED SURFACE PROMENADE

ARCH GROUNDS

NPS CITy

East Levee EsplanadeA new destination on the river for hiking, biking, skating, resting, picnicing and other leisure activities. A

major destination to experience the views up and down the River and towards the Arch. The new river

experience for east St Louis, an ever changing landscape of islands formed through the rising and ebbing

water levels. The sculpted landscape of the levee provides an opportunity to showcase a diverse commu-

nity of native plants that exhibit different levels of adaptation to river conditions.

• A new destination for recreational, leisure and sports activities for the east side of the river

• An ever changing landscape formed by the tide of the river

• A sculpted landscape showcasing an ecologically sensitive approach to the river edge

OPERABLE GREENHOUSES

RESEARCH GREENHOUSE

LABORATORIES

OFFICES

RESEARCH LIBRARy

TEACHING GREENHOUSE

EXPERIMENTAL GREENHOUSE

Sky WALk












2011

2012

2013


15








PROJECT AWARD









EADS BRIDGE




















EVENT / FESTIVAL


LIVE ON THE LEVEE








A QUICK WIN



I-70 CAPPED






















SEP. 2010



BEHNISCH TEAM

Resource Center Typical Floor Plan 1” = 100’

The Arch Grounds - Public Realm Plan

N

0 100 200 400

SOUTH NORTHMemorial Boulevard Elevation

St. Louis Music ProjectThe St Louis Music Project is dedicated to the exploration of creativity and innovation in the music of St

Louis, the Mississippi River and it’s region. By blending interpretative, interactive exhibitions with cutting-

edge technology, SLMP captures and reflects the essence of jazz, and the blues, as well as their influence

on recent music genres.

• Delivering distinctive programs using technology and media, the voices of the artists, and the

engagement of our guests

• Developing, protecting, and interpreting a diverse collection of 20th/21st century artifacts

• Providing welcoming, responsive visitor services

• Permanent and Temporary Exhibitions, Installations and Interactive Elements, Sculpture Park on

roof adjacent to Arch grounds.

• Education: Music School, Camps, Conferences, etc..

• Public Programs: Late Nights, Festivals, History Program, After Hours, etc.

St. Louis Music Project - Axon Diagram

LISTENING AND MUSIC EXPERIMENTATION POD

PERMANENT EXHIBIT POD

PERFORMANCE SPACE / CHANGING EXHIBIT

ARCH GROUNDS VISITOR CENTER AND ORIENTATION

In St. Louis, Joan feels, the city starts with good food. Standing at

her FRESH restaurant stall on top of the Eads Bridge, looking down-

river at the blooming Arch grounds and gleaming Arch, she’s pleased

with her 50-mile organic menu for the day, and just as pleased to see

her colleagues from around the city sharing their wealth of cuisine,

fine dining, and country cooking alongside her. The city was truly a

place of cultivation. She’d done her homework before moving here

from Denver, to come learn real “continental cooking” from Gerard

Craft at Niche. Why, Cahokia Mounds had been at the center of the

largest corn-based agricultural economy in 1100 AD, right? And Lewis

and Clark had made camp and gathered their strength here in the

‘Lou before mapping the Louisiana Purchase, right? And what about

the ’04 World’s Fair – ice cream cones, to be sure! True, there would

always be A-B , but Schlafly was no longer micro- at all – their appeal

Washington Avenue and the St. Louis Music Project (from Eads Bridge connector, looking west)

had gone national…and the Missouri and southern Illinois wine coun-

try had really taken off in the last decade. The tastes of St. Louis were

known, the real cultivation of the place was known. This EATS BRIDGE

event proved it year in and year out: this is a city that appreciates its

many flavors, scents and cultures. Joan says to herself softly, “This is a

place of cultivation,” and I like the taste of this city.

JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER

ANNIVERSARYCELEBRATION

OCTOBER 15TH - 2015

'THE BEND‘ OPENINGDEDICATION AND FIRST PERFORMANCE


GONDOLA OPENINGFIRST RIDES

MUSEUM OPENINGDEDICATION CEREMONY


PUBLIC ART INSTALLATIONEADS BRIDGE








PUBLIC ART OPENINGRAIL ART







'THE BEND‘ SUMMER CONCERT SERIES

ARCH MUSEUM CHANGING EXHIBITS

SHAR

ED R

IVER

CO

NCE

RT PUBLIC ART OPENINGGATEWAY MALL








CHANGING LANDSCAPE EXHIBIT NATIVE PLANT TOURSEAST RIVERBANK

NATIVE PLANT TOURSEAST RIVERBANK




1st ANNUAL GATEWAY MUSIC FESTIVALAT 'THE BEND‘ CELEBRATING WORLD MUSIC

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STAGE 4 : SUSTAINED VITALITY


I-70 REMOVEDMEMORIAL BLVD. IMPROVEMENTS

RIVERBANKS EXTENDEDGRAND OPENING

'THE BEND' TRANSFORMEDA MULTI-PURPOSE PERFORMING ARTS VENUE

NEW METRO LINENORTH - SOUTH SERVICE

MIXED USE NEIGHBORHOOD - CHOTEAU'S LANDINGAN ARTS DISTRICT

MIXED USE NEIGHBORHOOD - LACLEDE'S LANDINGAN ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT

CARGILL TRANSFORMED INTO ARTS COLLECTIVECULTURAL PRODUCTION HUB

2016

BEHNISCH TEAM

Luther Ely Smith Square (looking east)

MAKE IT LOCALThe Arch grounds transform from a static landscape with a fixed object and few movement options that

limit potential ways to experience the place into a dynamic landscape. In the new Arch grounds better pro-

vision of access from all surrounding streets and neighborhoods is secured and a secondary new movement

network connects to new public space programs that will intensify use of the entirety of the Arch Grounds.

• Ensure that people feel safer in the Arch Grounds at all times of day

• Bring some activities to the edge of the river

• Bring some activities to the under utilized southern half of the Arch grounds

• Provide multiple welcoming entrance gateways

• Make sure that there are accessible and safe places for peaceful respite

• Make sure that there are places where the meeting of people is encouraged

• All current Downtown users – working and residential – will gain much more instant and easy access

to the Arch grounds.

• The ‘ebb and flow’ of people into the Arch grounds will intensify with more people coming to the

Rivers edge and with people spreading out and using more of the Arch grounds

• Public space programming will ensure that more activities will be taking place in physical proximity to

one another, providing an increased feeling of safety for users

Memorial Boulevard (looking south)

Cultural Incubator (looking north)

American Bottoms Discovery Trails (looking north-west)Kiener Plaza (looking east) Poplar Street Rec Park (looking east)

Olive Street Crossing and Outdoor Reading Room

Washington Avenue (looking east)

West Riverfront - Cobblestone Levee Interventions

RIVERCIRCLE : Multiple Routes and Destinations

Concept Sketch : Activities

SEATING AREAS

GATEWAy GEySER

WASHINGTON PLAzA

CATHEDRAL

POPLAR STREET REC PARk

MISSISSIPPI RIVER

GONDOLA

RESOURCE CENTERARCH

MUSIC PROJECT

LACLEDES LANDING

CHOUTEAU’S LANDING

‘THE BEND’

AMPHITHEATER

EADS BRIDGE

OLD COURTHOUSE

LOCAL PROGRAMS

CHANGING EXHIBITS

PUBLIC ART OPPORTUNITIES

CHANGING LANDSCAPE

EXHIBITS

JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER

ANNIVERSARYCELEBRATION

OCTOBER 15TH - 2015

'THE BEND‘ OPENINGDEDICATION AND FIRST PERFORMANCE


GONDOLA OPENINGFIRST RIDES

MUSEUM OPENINGDEDICATION CEREMONY

















'THE BEND‘ SUMMER CONCERT SERIES

ARCH MUSEUM CHANGING EXHIBITS

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RT PUBLIC ART OPENINGGATEWAY MALL








CHANGING LANDSCAPE EXHIBIT NATIVE PLANT TOURSEAST RIVERBANK

NATIVE PLANT TOURSEAST RIVERBANK




1st ANNUAL GATEWAY MUSIC FESTIVALAT 'THE BEND‘ CELEBRATING WORLD MUSIC

SHAR

ED R

IVER

CO

NCE

RT

SHAR

ED R

IVER

CO

NCE

RT

STAGE 4 : SUSTAINED VITALITY


I-70 REMOVEDMEMORIAL BLVD. IMPROVEMENTS

RIVERBANKS EXTENDEDGRAND OPENING

'THE BEND' TRANSFORMEDA MULTI-PURPOSE PERFORMING ARTS VENUE

NEW METRO LINENORTH - SOUTH SERVICE

MIXED USE NEIGHBORHOOD - CHOTEAU'S LANDINGAN ARTS DISTRICT

MIXED USE NEIGHBORHOOD - LACLEDE'S LANDINGAN ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT

CARGILL TRANSFORMED INTO ARTS COLLECTIVECULTURAL PRODUCTION HUB

2016

BEHNISCH TEAM

TOWARDS A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE : Over one hundred years ago, St. Louisans hosted the world

in two linked international events, the Louisiana Purchase

Exposition and the Olympics of 1904. Over fifty years ago,

St. Louisans reconceived their historic riverfront in order to

erect a great national symbol – one that would reflect the

ambitions and values of those prior American generations

who had settled the West – and then become an interna-

tionally recognized, magnetic emblem of both the city and

nation. Now, the National Park Service and St. Louisans ini-

tiate an equal collaborative commitment to grounding their

great Arch in an expanded Arch grounds: a new design for

contemporary challenges, one that will not only respect

those historic ambitions, but contemplate new, sustainable

ones, for the city and for the nation. While many speak of

“sustainability” in terms of environmental awareness and

responsibility or calculated, technological solutions, this

civic history of St. Louis suggests another dimension to sus-

tainable design – that of duration, of a lasting responsibility

to multiple generations in the same place.

Beyond 2015The momentum of urban re-invention will continue in St. Louis as more projects are realized over time.

• I-70 will be closed, traffic diverted, and the overpass taken down. A north-south Metrolink line will be built using the existing underpass.

• Lacledes’ and Chouteau’s Landing will be developed as mixed-used neighborhoods.

• The Cargill plant will be relocated and the aging facility left behind will be converted into a new Arts District. Artists, set designers, musicians and many others will make use of the space.

• ‘The Bend’ amphitheater will be expanded to become ‘The Bend’ performing arts center with multiple stages, practice rooms, and offices. Being directly adjacent to the new Arts District will lead to many synergies between artist and actor.

• The riverbank improvements and trail network on both sides of the river will be extended.

Arch grounds (view from north-east)

Future Development StrategyRemoval of remaining barriers between city and river

Behnisch team-presentation-board

Documents

Transcript of Behnisch team-presentation-board