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!

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.

#VeteransMemorialPark
#AccessibleDesign
#UrbanBiodiversity
#LandscapeArchitecture
#InclusiveDesign
#CommunitySpaces
#HonoringVeterans
#UrbanDesign
#SustainableLandscapes
#DesignForAll
#JoplinParks
#PublicSpaces
#CollaborativeDesign
#DG2Design

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.