Katherine Ward Burg Garden - Case Study

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03 CASE STUDY

Location Program Size Delivery Design and Completion

Katherine Ward Burg Garden St Louis, MO Riverfront Public Park 0.5 Acres Design-Bid-Build 2015 - 2021

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Narrative

The Katherine Ward Burg Garden is the first step in the long-term plan to redevelop the Mississippi Riverfront in St. Louis. In the shadow of the Gateway Arch monument lies this small but mighty ‘Gateway to the St. Louis Riverfront,’ a new connection to the Mississippi River, where the city was founded. Located north of the historic Eads Bridge in Laclede’s Landing, the site sits close to the Arch Grounds, the Metrolink, and other Downtown destinations. It has the potential to act as a significant riverfront destination itself.

Influence The public plaza receives people exiting the Metrolink at the Laclede’s Landing stop and provides a flexible and welcoming open space for people visiting nearby destinations.

Supported by the legacy of the Katherine Ward Burg Estate, the half-acre public park draws people in with its iconic trellis. It provides visitors with the experience of an inviting, flexible, and accessible social destination with breathtaking views of the Mississippi River.

Ideation A distinctive trellis upholds the northwest urban corner and serves as a modern architectural icon. It takes inspiration from the forms of the Gateway Arch and the arches of the Eads bridge while providing respectful contrast to the historic architecture of its surroundings. In conjunction with stepped terraces, curved seat walls, ADA accessible walkways, and a flexible lower plaza, the pavilion frames the design of this public park. An elevated platform characterizes the lower plaza and operates as a stage, with flexible lawn space and seating. Native and adaptive trees and planting break up the hardscape and provide necessary natural relief and shade to the area.

Approach Gently sloped landscaping functions as an accessible ramp allowing access from First Street to Commercial Street while also guiding visitors towards the river. The stepped terraces provide access between the upper and lower levels and form a small amphitheater, accommodating seating for small performances and movie nights on the lower plaza. The lower plaza connects with Commercial Street, making it the perfect grounds for fairs and farmer’s markets, activating the corridor’s southern edge.

Goal The design team set out to create a new and exciting, world-class riverfront destination, reconnecting our community to its most important asset, and re-energizing the St. Louis brand as one of the great American river cities. It optimizes the utilization of the land with an appropriate mix of attractive uses, where people can live, work, learn, and play.

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Background

216

00 Design Process

Public Engagement Smart Start

Pre-Design Design Attributes

Client Goals + Objectives

Representation

Master Plan

Goal Scope Mapping Logistics

Discovery

1 Research Mobilization Phase

Analysis

2 Diagramming Conceptual Design

Precedent

Program

Material Context

Feasibility Scale Adjacencies

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Big Idea

Ideation

3 Iteration Schematic Design

Refinement

4 Clarifying Design Development

Delivery

Onward

5 Documenting Construction Documents & Administration

Evaluate Systematically

Concept

Detail

Fabrication

Owner Training

Materiality Function Modeling

Constructibility Texture Depth

Collaboration Translation Experience

Experience Monitoring Handover Surveys

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Discovery - Pre-Design

Site

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Masterplan Katherine Ward Burg Garden is a public plaza situated on a small, half-acre site. Despite the modest nature of its physical imprint, it has a significant impact on its surroundings, acting as both a gateway and a hub to the North Riverfront.

It welcomes people from the Arch grounds and Laclede’s Landing and connects them to a unique experience. The flexibility instilled in the design lends itself to an array of program opportunities.

Visitors can congregate, interact, dine, celebrate, and engage in active and passive recreation opportunities against the backdrop of the monumental Mississippi River.

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PREPARED FOR:

01 2199 INNERBELT BUSINESS CENTER DRIVE ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI 63114

Discovery - Pre-Design

CONTRACTOR / DEVELOPER KOZENY WAGNER LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT FORUM STUDIO CIVIL ENGINEER

ACCESS ENGINEERING, LLC STRUCTURAL ENGINEER THORNTON TOMASETTI ELECTRICAL ENGINEER ROSS & BARUZZINI, INC. LIGHTING DESIGNER

KATHERINE WARD BURG GARDEN

RANDY BURKETT LIGHTING

MISSISSIPPI GREENWAY

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Legend N O R T H

R I V E R F R O N T

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Engage The river through multiple Strategic Links

Connect to the Central Riverfront

Extend the Green Network into the city

Create an Eco-District through consolidated storm and sewer systems

Strengthen the Street Grid and enhance connections

Leverage bluffs to enhance View Sheds of Mississippi River

Catalyze Development in the surroundings

Front Door from Illinois to St Louis through a Proposed Bridge

Link to existing Public Transit through a shuttle loop

Harness

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the energy of the river to Power the District

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The North Riverfront master plan aims to connect greenways north to south along the Mississippi River edge while simultaneously linking the St. Louis community to the Mississippi River. By creating a hierarchy of safe, well-connected, meaningful open spaces, the master plan connects the river, downtown, and adjacent neighborhoods while allowing economic growth, environmental sustainability, and social interaction.

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Connectivity

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01 Discovery - Research

Excerpt from Background History and Research Document

History The site is located next to the historic Eads Bridge and in the neighborhood of the Arch Grounds, thus drawing a long-rooted connection to the local history and culture of St. Louis. The 142-year-old Eads Bridge was constructed to link St. Louis to the eastern half of the country. Today, it facilitates the Metrolink, which provides this connection to the East Riverfront and beyond. This adjacency marks the Katherine Ward Burg Garden site as a significant landing for the east-west transit through the Laclede’s Landing Metrolink Station and the north-south St. Louis riverfront connection.

142-year-old Eads Bridge

Structure Inspired by arch shape

From Eads Bridge Looking at the site

Historic Photo of Eads Bridge

Arch Ground

Fluid Design Language

Katherine Ward Burg Garden

To better understand the site, in-depth historical and background research was conducted which elucidated the history of the Bridge, investigations of the Gateway Arch design, and other significant landmarks. The design and artistic engineering marvel of the Eads Bridge, the arches, and the pioneering use of steel and open steel framing are characteristics that the Katherine Ward Burg Garden design celebrates while respectfully contrasting itself in terms of modern application and architecture.

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Research

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02 Analysis - Diagramming

Initial Ramp Option Studies demonstrate accessibility as a key aspect of the design. The walkways that meander down to the plaza conform to ADA guidelines and provide handrails where grades exceed 5%.

Seating on the lower plaza is accessible to wheelchairs.

3D structure anchors the site, acting as gateway feature to the North Riverfront Development

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Screening for Utility

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Multi-scale spaces for equitable opportunities and varied activities

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3D-printed Study Model helps understand the site Collaborate with City to improve streetscape in ROW

Katherine Ward Burg Garden

Katherine Ward Burg Garden is at the vanguard of the greater North Riverfront Development and encompasses merits of the larger riverfront vision while exuding a scale small enough to fuel meaningful socio-cultural connections for St. Louis residents. Its location, amidst prominent historical structures such as the Eads Bridge, warranted a design that merges with the surrounding milieu but still has a unique identity to distinguish the plaza. The design takes inspiration from the form and materiality of the surroundings. Still, it introduces novelty in the design elements such as the iconic pavilion, sculptural walls, and seating. These site elements, including a winding ADA-accessible pathway, constitute the design of this contemporary public space.

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Design and Accessibility

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03 Ideation - Iteration

Brick and Concrete Paving Options

Special Finish Concrete and Steps

Flexible Lawn

Mixed Bed Native Plantings

Integral Wood Seating and steps

Special Finish Concrete Seating

Materiality Site material choices were determined through careful thinking about enhancing visitor experience while facilitating construction feasibility.

The Ipe wood decking and seating reflect warmth, comfort, and durability.

The pliancy of steel and concrete enabled the team to incorporate playful curves and forms in the site elements. The dynamic nature of the hardscape interacted harmoniously with the zestful planting design, which included native and adaptive plant species for functionality, year-round seasonal interest, bloom succession, and reduced maintenance. Longerterm resilient materials were used to minimize post-construction care.

Initial Site Materiality Studies evaluated the use of material finishes on the site to create a dynamic user experience.

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Triangulated Coffered Structure Utilizing Steel

Bio-Inspired Faceted Structure Utilizing Steel

Cave-Inspired Egg-Crate Structure Utilizing Wood

Geometric ETFE Structure

Lattice organization based Lattice organization on body-centered cubic based on body-centered cubic crystal structure crystal structure

Center points contentrate Center points contentrate load evenly to a few points load evenly to a few points

SquareSquare faces are distorted faces are distorted

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Strucutre bent into Strucutre is bent isinto sculptural sculptural tree-liketree-like forms forms

3D structure 3D structure forms aforms a dynamic canopy dynamic canopy

Translucent geometric Translucent geometric surfaces balance the surfaces balance the composition composition

Hybrid Bio-Inspired Geometric Structure Utilizing Aluminum

Final Aluminum Structure Concept

Initial Trellis Studies analyzed options for the design of the trellis. The selected design is an open aluminum geometric structure, with integrated vine planting.

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03 Ideation - Iteration

Performances

Movies

Farmer’s Markets

Food Trucks

Initial Programming Studies informed space layout and utilization. The design of the space is intended to be flexible, to allow for varied uses at different scales.

Flexibility Stepped terraces and gradually sloping ramps provide access from First Street down to Commercial Street. The terrace also works as an amphitheater, accommodating seating for small performances and gatherings of various scales. With a wood deck platform and a flexible lawn, the lower Plaza operates as a stage. It provides ample space for events such as fairs and farmer’s markets, thus enabling the area to activate the southern end of the Commercial Street Corridor. The pavilion serves as a shaded respite and a monumental sculpture that anchors the northwestern corner and draws people in. Thus, flexibility is inherent throughout the design. This flexibility creates an inviting and inclusive platform for connecting downtown, neighborhoods, and people to the river and nature.

Katherine Ward Burg Garden

Site Plan Key 9. Commercial Street Promenade 10. Screen Wall 11. Existing Electrical Equipment 12. Street / Pedestrian Lighting 13. Sloping Concrete Walk and Landings 14. Bollards 15. Bike Parking 16. Native Planting

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1. Brick Paver Amenity Strip and Concrete Sidewalk 2. Unit Pavers on Concrete Base 3. Concrete Steps 4. Wood-top Seat Wall 5. Lawn 6. Trellis Structure 7. Wood Deck/Steps 8. Donor Concrete Sign and Seat Wall

Rendered Site Plan

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03 Ideation - Iteration

Signage Wall

Night Activity

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Site Sections showing grade change and design elements

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04 Refinement - Clarifying

Grasshopper Script for Paving Design

Paving Gradient

Paving Design

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X 4" IPE DECKING WITH 323 " SPACING W HIDDEN FASTENERS

X 4" IPE DECKING WITH 323 " SPACING W HIDDEN FASTENERS

#4 @ 12" O.C. EACH FACE

SLOPE GRADE

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ARCHITECTURAL CONC. WALL, (REFER TO SPECIFICATIONS) FINISH GRADE

5/4" x 4" SLEEPERS AT 16" O.C. WITH S.S. CONC. ANCHORS, SHIM AS NEEDED (PROVIDE GAPS IN SLEEPERS TO ALLOW FOR DRAINAGE)

1 1/2" X 54" STANDARD IPE FACE FASTEN TO DECKING W SS R 41" TYP. (BOTH SIDES) SCREWS USE WOOD PLUGS ARCHITECTURAL CONC. WALL (SEE SPECIFICATIONS)

SLOPE CONC. TO DRAIN

PREPARED FOR:

#4 @ 12" O.C. EACH FACE 5 ARCHITECTURAL CONC OPEN-GRADED DRAINAGE WALL (SEE GRAVEL (21" TO 2") SPECIFICATIONS)

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6 CONC. UNIT PAVERS CONC. PAVERS L501

L501 L501

3" = 1'-0"3" = 1'-0"

4" PERFORATED PVC PIPE IN PIPE IN 4" PERFORATED PVC FILTER FILTER FABRIC FABRIC SOCK, OUTLET SOCK, OUTLET TO STORM TO STORM

SPREAD FOOTING. #5 @ 12" O.C. EACH FACE SEE STRUCT. FOR REINFORCEMENT COMPACTED GRAVEL BASE 3 #5 CONTINUOUS COMPACTED GRAVEL BASE

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L502

L502

WOOD TOP SEAT A 1-1/2" = 1'-0"

CONCRETE SEATWALL SECTION WOOD TOP SEATWALL SECTION (END)

3/4" = 1'-0" 3"3/4" = 1'-0" = 1'-0"

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WATERPROOFING FILTER FABRIC OPEN-GRADED DRAINAGE GRAVEL (21" TO 2") WATERPROOFING FILTER FABRIC

COMPACTED GRAVEL BASE 5/4" x 4" SLEEPERS AT 16" O.C. WITH S.S. CONC. ANCHORS, SHIM AS NEEDED (PROVIDE GAPS IN SLEEPERS TO ALLOW FOR DRAINAGE)

CONCRETE WOOD SEATWALL SECTIONSECTION WOODDECK TOPEDGE SEATWALL

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WATERPROOFING FILTER FABRIC OPEN-GRADED DRAINAGE 1 1/2" X 54" STANDARD GRAVEL (21" FASTEN TO 2") TO IPE FACE WATERPROOFING DECKING W SS FILTER FABRIC SCREWS 4" PERFORATED PVC PIPE IN USE WOOD PLUGS 4" PERFORATED PVC PIPE IN FILTER FABRIC SOCK, OUTLET FILTER FABRIC SOCK, OUTLET TO STORMARCHITECTURAL TO STORM CONC. WALL, SPREAD FOOTING. SEE STRUCT. (REFER TO SPECIFICATIONS) #5 @ 12" O.C. EACH FACE FOR REINFORCEMENT COMPACTED GRAVEL FINISH GRADE 3 #5 CONTINUOUS BASE

1 1/2" X 54" STANDARD IPE FACE FASTEN TO DECKING W SS SCREWS USE WOOD PLUGS

WOOD CONCRETE DECK EDGE SEATWALL WOOD DECK DETAIL

#5 @ 12" O.C. EACH FACE 5 3 4 X 4" IPE DECKING WITH 32" SPACING W HIDDEN FASTENERS SKATE DETERRENT - DRILL AND EPOXY FILL 3

ARCHITECTURAL CONC WALL OPEN-GRADED DRAINAGE (SEE SPECIFICATIONS) GRAVEL (21" TO 2")

CONC. UNIT PAVERS CONC. PAVERS

ECK 12" DETAIL HIGH)

#4 @ 12" O.C. 1 1/2" X 54" STANDARD IPE FACE FASTEN TO DECKING W SS SCREWS USE WOOD PLUGS

2199 INNERBELT BUSINESS CENTER DRIVE ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI 63114 Ph 314.429.1010 Fx 314.429.7770

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Katherine Ward Burg Garden

SLOPE GRADE

WALL FASTEN SKATE (SEETO SPECIFICATIONS) DETERRENT DECKING WITH LAG 5/4" x 4" PRESSURE TREATED SCREWS SLEEPERS AT 16" O.C. WITH S.S. CONC. ANCHORS, SHIM AS NEEDED (PROVIDE GAPS IN SLEEPERS TO ALLOW FOR DRAINAGE)

5/4" x 4" PRESSURE TREATED SLEEPERS AT 16" O.C. WITH S.S. CONC. ANCHORS, SHIM AS NEEDED (PROVIDE GAPS IN SLEEPERS TO ALLOW FOR DRAINAGE)

1 1/2" X 54 STANDARD IPE FACE FASTEN TO DECKING W SS SCREWS USE WOOD PLUGS 4" X 4" IPE DECKING WITH 323 " SPACING W HIDDEN FASTENERS #5 @ 12" O.C. EACH FACE #4 @ 12" O.C. FASTEN SKATE 15 SKATE DETERRENT 3 DETERRENT TO 5 4 X 4" IPE DECKING WITH - DRILL ANDDECKING EPOXY WITH LAG L501 3 L503 32" SPACING W HIDDEN FILL SCREWS IPE FACE 1 1/2" X 54" STANDARD FASTENERS FASTEN TO DECKING W SS SCREWS USE WOOD PLUGS 1 R 4" TYP. (BOTH SIDES) SLOPE CONC. TO DRAIN ARCHITECTURAL CONC. WALL (SEE SPECIFICATIONS)

3/4" = 1'-0" 3/4" = 1'-0"

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4" X 4" IPE DECKING WITH 323 " SPACING W HIDDEN FASTENERS ARCHITECTURAL CONCRETE

ARCHITECTURAL CONCRETE WALL (SEE SPECIFICATIONS)

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CONTRACTOR / DEVELOPER KOZENY WAGNER LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT FORUM STUDIO

6 L501

F.G.

ACCESS ENGINEERING, LLC STRUCTURAL ENGINEER ARCHITECTURAL CONCRETE WALL

L501

THORNTON TOMASETTI 5 ELECTRICAL ENGINEER

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(SEE SPECIFICATIONS)

X 4" IPE DECKING WITH 323 " SPACING

ROSS & BARUZZINI, INC. LIGHTING DESIGNER RANDY BURKETT LIGHTING DESIGN

WOOD STEPS ELEVATION 1/4" = 1'-0"

CK SECTION

Skate Deterrent and Wood Deck

Wood-top Seat Wall

Concrete Seat Wall with3 Skate Stops1

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ORMANCE DECK ON CONCRETE BASE

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4" STEEL POST

L504

L505 UTILITY STRUCTURE BEYOND. REPAINT ROOF. COLOR: TBD

PERFORATED METAL PANEL

PERFORATED METAL PANEL EMERGENCY GATE

SCREEN WALL RETAINING WALL - SECTION / ELEVATION 1/4" = 1'-0"

HANDRAIL 11/L501

612 N. 1ST STREET ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI 63102

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MISSISSIPPI GREENWAY

Implementation and Administration

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PERFORATED METAL PANEL

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KATHERINE WARD BURG GARDEN

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CIVIL ENGINEER

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The construction process saw the team pushing design boundaries and CONCRETE WALL/CURB JOINTS 7 expanding their technical vocabulary. Challenges faced throughout the process were tackled through site coordination, collaboration, and client input. Since the site topography sloped down towards the river, grading was a significant driver in the design and construction of the plaza. The design intent was to keep the walkways ADA accessible and reduce the number of handrails required on the site. Rhino models and grasshopper 2 scripts were utilized to visualize grading issues and solutions in a 3D setting. Grasshopper scripts were also used for paving pattern design and cutouts on the perforated metal screen. The construction process involved STEP CHEEKWALL - SECTION / ELEVATION the application of novel techniques to solve construction challenges. The project was also the first to utilize fly-through videos and 3D printing as a part of the collaboration process.

SEAT WALL - TYPICAL ELEVATION

CONCRETE WALL/CURB JOINTS

3/4" = 1'-0"

3" = 1'-0"

3" = 1'-0"

L503

CONCR RETAIN ARCHIT FINISH

CONC. STEPS 12/L501

DRAWING ISSUE

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DESCRIPTION PROGRESS PRINT 01 50% CD SET PROGRESS PRINT 02 90% CD SET CITY SUBMITTAL ISSUE FOR BID SET

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DATE 2018.02.02 2018.05.07 2018.05.31 2018.08.14 2018.10.03 2019.02.01

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05 Discovery - Documenting

Concrete Steps and Handrails

Katherine Ward Burg Garden Case Study 03

Donor Concrete Sign

Wood Deck Construction

Light Poles

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Discovery - Documenting

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Katherine Ward Burg Garden

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06 Onward - Interview

Site Grading and Preparation

Nearing Completion

Q / What were some unique project challenges and how did you tackle them?

A / One challenge in public realm projects such as Katherine Ward Burg Garden is getting agreements from multiple parties about design decisions. It was a somewhat challenging process to get approval from Historic Laclede’s Landing because we were proposing a contemporary design in a historic site. After lots of communication, we successfully worked with them on some changes that won their approval and resulted in a letter of recommendation.

A / Our initial vision was to develop the current site and the one in front of it for a seamless transition to the river’s edge. However, the owner of the parcel in front of our site was not willing to sell her property. Despite multiple negotiations, we were unable to acquire the land, and we ended up developing the half-acre site that we currently know to be the Katherine Ward Burg Garden site.

Q / What were some best practices, highlights, or lessons learned?

A / There was a lot to learn from the project. We had many exciting design elements, such as intricate concrete work on curved seat walls, that were challenging to get right.

The details developed to document these design elements can be utilized for reference in the future. We also employed novel methods such as grasshopper to generate paving patterns and 3D fly-through animations to communicate design. The design and technical vocabulary of the team grew significantly in this project.

A / The team pushed boundaries in both design and construction on this project. Rhino was used to create amazing 3D visuals and fly-throughs, and we utilized 3D printing.

A best practice is to involve the technical team earlier in the design process so the transition from schematic design to construction documentation is smooth.

Q / What has been the impact of this project for the community and for the firm?

A / Katherine Ward Burg Garden has tremendous value to the community. Because of its location adjacent to the Eads Bridge and the Arch Grounds, it is a site with high visibility. Moreover, it serves as a foyer, a welcoming gateway to a future North Riverfront. The design is universally accessible, informative, and respectful of the history of the surrounding downtown area.

A / The Arch Grounds has national prominence and interest and is more of a national landmark than one belonging solely to St. Louis. The goal of the North Riverfront master plan and Katherine Ward Burg Garden was to create a riverfront park that was more personal to the people of St. Louis. The client – Great Rivers Greenway (GRG) – is eminent for spearheading the city’s greenways. This project was their vision of fueling redevelopment supported by open space as a part of the Mississippi Greenway. It also saw the clients evolve from focusing only on greenway connections to creating more neighborhood-scale nodes as part of the greater greenway system. Being able to design these public realm projects for GRG has bolstered our landscape architecture practice and given us visibility in the market.

Katherine Ward Burg Garden

with Katherine Ward Burg Garden Team

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Interview

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06 Onward - Interview

Q / How did collaboration inform the overall process?

A / There were many people involved in the earlier design phases of this project. We were the prime consultant, and there were several subconsultants, a construction manager, and a general contractor involved. As the project manager, a primary focus was to organize the scope of work for each discipline and keep coordination successful while being mindful of time and fee constraints. It was imperative that this process remained seamless for project success.

A / The client was involved in all significant decisions, both in the design and construction phases. Collaboration in the construction administration phase was smooth. A construction manager served as a voice between the clients and the general contractors, and they helped coordinate all construction decisions. We had excellent communication between the project manager and the team members.

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Katherine Ward Burg Garden