Designing for Health: The Power of People, Place, and Community

When designing a healthcare environment—or any environment—it is essential to keep three critical elements in mind: People, Place, and Community. Who are we designing for? Which aspects of the design will matter most to them? What will give them the most LIFE?

In healthcare settings, we design for patients, their families, students, and staff. Our goal is to create spaces that meet their needs, alleviate stress, and promote healing. This means considering not just the physical environment but also the deeper biological and emotional responses it can trigger.

The Exposome vs. the Genome: A Holistic View of Health

While genetics (the genome) plays a role in health, the exposome—a concept that describes all the environmental exposures a person encounters throughout life—has a profound impact. The exposome is the sum of who we are (our genome), external influences, and biological responses.

Stress, for example, is more than just an emotion; it is a physical event that activates the parasympathetic nervous system, putting the body into overdrive. As designers, we have the power to shape environments that reduce stress, promote resilience, and provide healing spaces.

The Salutogenic Approach: Designing for Well-Being

Rather than focusing on what causes disease, the Salutogenic Approach centers on the origins of health and well-being. By implementing design strategies that help reset the parasympathetic nervous system, we can alleviate stress and build resilience. This means integrating abundant environmental resources for patients, families, and staff—spaces that restore and rejuvenate.

A helpful analogy is to think of design as a game of Super Mario.

• Who is using the space? Mario (patients, families, staff).
• What are their challenges? Koopa Troopas (stress, illness, anxiety).
• What is their resource bank? Coins they collect along the way (nature, social support, cultural stability, healthy environments).

When challenges outweigh available resources, stress and burnout increase. By designing spaces rich in supportive resources, we help people recharge, heal, and navigate life’s obstacles.

Key Spaces Where Landscape Architecture Can Have the Most Impact

Research highlights four crucial spaces within a healthcare facility where thoughtful landscape design makes a difference:

1. Entry & Approach: The First Impression

A welcoming, intuitive, and easily navigable entrance sets the tone for the entire experience. Thoughtful wayfinding, natural materials, and inviting landscapes help reduce anxiety from the moment someone arrives.

2. Active Spaces: Encouraging Interaction

Spaces like courtyards, plazas, and rooftop gardens should foster engagement and movement. Features such as:

• Interactive fountains
• Playful lawns
• Sculptures
• Seasonal plantings can encourage interaction, offer moments of joy, and reflect the changing seasons—providing a sense of renewal.

3. Dynamic Spaces: Views that Heal

Even spaces that patients and staff only view from within can have a profound impact. A patient’s window view, the sightline from a stairwell, or a green rooftop visible from an upper floor can all introduce nature into an otherwise sterile environment.

Could a simple landscape tray bring life, seasonal change, and habitat to an otherwise barren rooftop? These small interventions can make a significant difference.

4. Respite Spaces: Finding Solitude and Peace

These are spaces for rest, reflection, and personal retreat—whether a secluded rooftop garden or a quiet bench surrounded by nature near an exit. Such spaces refill the resource bank, giving people the tools they need to cope with stress and recover from life’s challenges.

Our Responsibility as Designers

As landscape architects and designers, we have a responsibility to create environments that help people heal and thrive. Every design choice is an opportunity to give people the resources they need to navigate stress and find resilience.

By prioritizing People, Place, and Community, we can transform healthcare landscapes into powerful tools for well-being, connection, and renewal.

*BJC Children’s Specialty Care Clinic Photo Credit: Archimages

Welcome Ethan Fey!

DG2 welcomes a 7 month intern, Ethan Fey!

Ethan is currently a student at Kansas State University. His interest in landscape architecture stems from the idea that everyone deserves an outdoor space to play in. From playgrounds and trails to parking lots full of farmers’ markets and town fairs, there is no place like a place you can have fun. Outside of work, Ethan enjoys playing boardgames with friends and listening to music.

Washington University Redevelops Historic Goodwill Building in Cortex Innovation Community

Washington University in St. Louis is advancing plans to redevelop the former Goodwill Building in the Cortex Innovation Community following approval from the St. Louis Board of Aldermen. The historic building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places since February 25, 2021, boasts concrete foundations and brick walls. Constructed in 1919 for the Standard Sanitary Manufacturing Company, it served the company until World War II, after which it was repurposed for the war effort. Goodwill moved into the building in 1944.

This redevelopment project will create state-of-the-art lab and office spaces for startups, including St. Louis-based C2N Diagnostics, a pioneer in developing innovative tools to detect Alzheimer’s disease. DG2 collaborated with Merrit Chase to craft the master plan and continues to work alongside architecture firm HOK throughout implementation.

The site holds a strategic position, linking two major east-west corridors within the Cortex district—Forest Park Avenue and Duncan Avenue—via a green pedestrian corridor, affectionately called “The Mews.” DG2 expanded on the architectural vision by introducing a robust geometric rhythm to the landscape design, a unifying element visible across the entire site.

Inspired by Mid-Century Modern Design

The proposed courtyard to the north of the building, formerly a drop-off and parking area for the Goodwill Building, draws inspiration from the Miller House Garden—a mid-century modern masterpiece by Eero Saarinen and landscape architect Dan Kiley. The design complements the building’s window bays with structural evergreen plantings that maintain their definition year-round, all arranged within a transparent tree grid.

A Nature Refuge for People

Once completed, the courtyard will become a tranquil urban refuge. Visitors can relax in shaded areas surrounded by diverse shade-loving plants or enjoy sunny pockets on two expansive paved spaces. The design promotes interaction with nature, blending historic architecture with thoughtfully curated greenery to create a harmonious and inviting environment.

This project underscores Washington University’s commitment to fostering innovation while preserving St. Louis’ architectural heritage and enhancing community spaces.

DG2 Welcomes Jeff Davis

We are excited to welcome Jeff Davis to the DG2 team! Jeff brings extensive expertise across a wide range of project types, including campus developments, commercial spaces, large-scale planning, healthcare facilities, and park design. His exceptional attention to detail and collaborative approach ensure that each project is thoughtfully crafted and executed.

As a Licensed Landscape Architect in Missouri, Illinois, Tennessee, and Texas, Jeff is a passionate advocate for sustainable design and a seasoned mentor committed to fostering excellence. We are thrilled to have him join us in shaping innovative and impactful projects!

Dreaming Big: Kinetic Park’s Vision Becomes Reality

Imagine stepping into a space that feels like your very own adventure cave—complete with towering stalagmites and stalactites. Picture yourself navigating between four connected tower elements, accessible by rope, jute bridges, and sleek metal platforms. Now, add a seated zipline soaring through the air, spinner huts for endless fun, hammocks for relaxation, swings, slides, and even musical instruments to spark creativity.

What makes this space truly extraordinary? It’s not just about the activities. The design prioritizes greenspace over hardscape, offering a lush and inviting environment. Most importantly, it’s built with inclusivity in mind—accessible to everyone, regardless of age or ability. Whether you crave the peace of solitude or the thrill of active play, this space is designed for you.

This dream is becoming a reality at Kinetic Park, a place where imagination meets accessibility. And we’re excited to announce that it’s nearly complete! Mark your calendars: the grand opening is set for early spring 2025.

We can’t wait to welcome you to a space where everyone belongs!

Advanced Manufacturing Site is Advancing and Nearing Completion!

Exciting progress is being made at St. Louis Community College’s new Advanced Manufacturing Center, located on the Florissant Valley campus! This cutting-edge facility is designed to support the next generation of learners and innovators, incorporating multiple modern learning environments and sustainable features. As construction nears completion, the site visit last week provided a glimpse into the remarkable progress and the inspiring spaces taking shape.

A Facility Designed for the Future

The Advanced Manufacturing Center is set to redefine educational spaces with its forward-thinking design. It will host a variety of advanced learning environments that cater to hands-on education and collaboration. Among its standout features are two rooftop plazas, providing unique outdoor spaces for students and staff to relax and engage in informal learning. These plazas, coupled with the expansive green roofs spanning over 5,500 square feet, highlight the facility’s commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship.

Additionally, the 5,000-square-foot multiuse plaza on the ground level offers a versatile space for events, gatherings, and outdoor learning activities. Together, these elements create an environment that not only supports academic excellence but also fosters a sense of community and well-being.

On-Site Progress

Last week’s site visit revealed the transformation of the construction site into a nearly completed facility. The rooftop plazas are taking shape, with the green roof installations adding a vibrant touch of nature. These features will not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of the building but also provide significant environmental benefits, such as improved insulation, stormwater management, and urban biodiversity.

The multiuse plaza is equally impressive, with its layout promising to be a hub of activity. From educational events to casual meet-ups, this adaptable space will serve as a cornerstone for campus life. Seeing these spaces come to life was a testament to the collaborative effort between architects, designers, and construction teams.

A Peek Before the Snow

While the region braces for winter, the Advanced Manufacturing Center’s progress shines as a beacon of innovation and resilience. The photos from last week’s visit capture the vibrant energy of the site and the anticipation for its completion. Snow currently blankets the campus, but the vision for this groundbreaking facility remains crystal clear.

As we look forward to the grand opening, it’s exciting to imagine the impact this facility will have on students, staff, and the broader community. Stay tuned for more updates as we approach the finish line!

What are your thoughts on incorporating green roofs and multiuse plazas into modern educational facilities? Share your insights in the comments below!

Joplin Memorial Competition

This project was especially meaningful to us, aligning with our ethos of supporting accessibility, the veteran community, and biodiversity in urban spaces. Although we didn’t win, we were thrilled with the design outcome and look forward to more opportunities like this in 2025.

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Tree Tagging Along the Meramec Greenway: Protecting Nature During Design

Today was a beautiful December day spent tree tagging along the Meramec Greenway at Unger Park. Tree tagging is a critical step in the design process, typically occurring about halfway through the construction document phase. This stage allows us to walk the proposed alignment, identify key trees to protect, and even adjust the alignment to preserve these natural assets. Additionally, it helps us highlight specimen trees that can be celebrated as focal points in the final design.

When evaluating the potential impact on a tree, we assess from the trunk outward to the dripline. A tree’s dripline represents the farthest reach of its branches and typically mirrors the extent of its root system. If construction activities disturb a significant portion of the dripline, it’s unlikely the tree will survive.

Understanding Tree Health and Construction Impacts
Changes to soil grade—either raising or lowering—pose serious risks to a tree’s roots:

• • • • Raising the grade suffocates roots due to reduced oxygen availability. The deeper the added soil, the greater the damage.
      • Lowering the grade can sever or expose roots, causing them to dry out and die. Even minor soil removal can jeopardize root health.
      • Root cutting, especially of large roots, weakens the tree structurally and biologically. It can result in instability, making the tree prone to falling or causing decline on the affected side.

  How Tree Tagging Supports Design
  Since this alignment runs primarily through woodlands, surveying every tree isn’t feasible. Instead, we tag key trees with tape, and the surveyor later incorporates them into the survey base. From there, we refine the design to better protect these trees as we move toward 100% construction documents and prepare for bidding.

If a design adjustment brings us close to any key trees, we consult with an arborist. Their expertise helps us determine the best strategies for preserving the tree’s health and ensuring its stability, all while maintaining the integrity of the design.

Tree tagging is more than a step in the process—it’s a commitment to balancing thoughtful design with ecological stewardship.

4 Hands Brewing and Peacemaker: A New Culinary Destination in Kirkwood

We are thrilled to announce the opening of 4 Hands and Peacemaker, one of the most-anticipated restaurants of the year, right in downtown Kirkwood. This unique partnership between 4 Hands Brewing Co. and Peacemaker Lobster & Crab has transformed the space previously occupied by Down by The Station, near the Kirkwood train station, into a must-visit dining destination.

Over the past three years, we collaborated closely with the building architect, Eddy Design Group and civil engineer, Castle to ensure a seamless transition between the restaurant’s interior and its beautifully landscaped patios. The result is a “transportive” dining experience that perfectly blends indoor and outdoor spaces adjacent to the train tracks.

As you step into the 2,500-square-foot restaurant, you’re greeted by a covered patio with 9-foot tall accordion glass doors on three sides. This area flows effortlessly into an uncovered patio and a charming green space we lovingly refer to as the “backyard.” Here, kids can safely play while adults relax and dine, surrounded by native plants, landscape boulders, and trees that create a serene, park-like setting.

Visit 4 Hands and Peacemaker in Kirkwood and see why it’s quickly becoming a standout addition to the local dining scene.

Perry County Joint Justice Center

The Perry County Joint Justice Center broke ground in early 2023.

Included in the new building will be the Perry County Sheriff’s Office and Jail, the Perryville Police Department, Perry County Circuit Court Clerk’s office, Perry County Prosecuting Attorney, Perry County Emergency Management, state and municipal courts, city and county joint 911 dispatch, and the Perry County Coroner’s Office.

The estimated $26.5 million building will be roughly 60,000 square feet and will be located in the 400 block of W. St. Joseph Street on a 6-acre plot of land.

DG2 Design coordinated with Perry County, Zoellner Construction Co., Inc., Dille Pollard Architecture, and Navigate Building Solutions.