East End Transformation Receives AIA Regional & Urban Design Award
The East End Transformation replaced a vehicle-centric site, long dominated by roadways and surface parking lots, with new campus landscape and buildings, establishing a welcoming pedestrian-focused entrance to the historic Danforth Campus of Washington University in St. Louis.
© James Ewing/JBSA
The East End Transformation at Washington University in St. Louis has earned a 2023 Regional & Urban Design Award from the American Institute of Architects.
It is one of the most significant design awards for recognizing excellence in urban design, regional and city planning, and community development.
"On behalf of the full consultant team and our client, Washington University in St. Louis, KieranTimberlake, along with our partners BNIM, Tao+Lee Associates, Moore Ruble Yudell, Mackey Mitchel, Perkins Eastman, Michael Vergason Landscape Architects, and Schulze and Grassov, is honored to receive this recognition from the American Institute of Architects for the East End Transformation project," remarked partner James Timberlake.
"The mandate and vision to provide for a sustainable future through a 'new front threshold,' connecting Forest Park to the historic campus and incorporating five new structures, is a once-in-a-century opportunity."
The new Gary M. Sumers Welcome Center (left) receives campus visitors and houses Undergraduate Admissions and Student Financial Services. Brookings Hall (right), Washington University in St. Louis' iconic administration building, overlooks the East End of the Danforth Campus.
© James Ewing/JBSA
The Danforth Campus at Washington University in St. Louis was designed by Cope & Stewardson in 1900. It is defined by Collegiate Gothic buildings, landscaped quadrangles, and pathways that encourage academic connections in a beautiful park-like setting. But over time, Danforth's East End of campus had become plagued by roads and parking lots, interrupting this original planning vision.
In 2015, Washington University embarked on a major campaign to transform the East End into a vibrant and inviting gateway to the university. The car-centric site has been turned into a major new campus landscape framed by new buildings and pedestrian circulation in front of Brookings Hall, the campus's landmark main building. Hundreds of surface parking spaces are now underground in the 790-space East End Garage, creating an expansive new park above. Five new buildings strengthen academic connections, enhance campus green space and circulation, and improve accessibility.
With gratitude to our many partners and collaborators:
Architects: KieranTimberlake, Tao+Lee Associates, BNIM, Moore Ruble Yudell, Mackey Mitchel, Perkins Eastman, Patterhn Ives
Urban Design and Landscape Implementation: BNIM, Michael Vergason Landscape Architects, KieranTimberlake, Schulze and Grassov
2015 East Campus Plan Team: Michael Vergason Landscape Architects, BNIM, Schulze and Grassov
2013 Framework Plan Team: BNIM, Sasaki, Andropogon
Landscape Architect: Michael Vergason Landscape Architects with Arbolope Studio
Engineer - Structural: KPFF Consulting Engineers, Inc.
Engineer - MEP: BuroHappold Engineering, with KAI Engineering
Engineer - Central Utilities MEP: McClure Engineering
Engineer - Civil: Cole
Engineer - Geotechnical: Geotechnology Inc.
Construction Manager: McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.
Lighting Designer: Fisher Marantz Stone
AV Consultant: The Sextant Group
Code Consultant: Code Consultants, Inc.
Facade Consultant: Eckersley O'Callaghan + Partners
Acoustics: Metropolitan Acoustics
Soils and Irrigation: Jeffrey L. Bruce & Company, LLC
Campus Mobility: Schulze + Grassov
Cost Estimator: The Capital Projects Group
Waterproofing: Wiss Janney Elstner Associates
Graphics: Kuhlmann Leavitt, Inc.
Specifications: Heller & Metzger
LEED Administration: Sustainable Design Consulting
FFE: Arcturis
A sculpture garden links Weil Hall and the Kemper Art Museum and features iconic work such as Alexander Calder's Five Rudders and Dan Peterman's Accessories to an Event.
© James Ewing/JBSA
The Kuehner Court in the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Art's new Weil Hall features abundant natural light and a large, 30-foot green wall, installed by Sagegreenlife. The green wall helps to regulate temperature while cleaning and filtering water and air.
© James Ewing/JBSA
The Kemper Museum expansion (left) and new Weil Hall (right) locate the Sam Fox School's graduate and undergraduate art, architecture, and design programs together and provide new studios, common spaces and daily engagement with a world-class art museum.
© Peter Aaron
