In the past, parking garages were simply unremarkable buildings that were only appreciated for their practicality in providing parking spaces, rather than their aesthetic appeal. However, recently, parking structures have transformed into architectural wonders that not only serve as functional parking spots but also offer beauty and inspiration. Garages and their surrounding landscapes, like the Pitch 314 Garage, have become visually captivating and an engaging component of the community. As a landscape architect, it is exciting to see these spaces transform and knit a community back together.

Photo Credit: Corey Gaffer

Inspired by Spain’s vibrant culinary traditions, Idle Wolf opened on July 25th at the glorious 21c Museum Hotel St. Louis. Much like Spain, Idle Wolf Iberian-inspired Restaurant is the place to meet friends around a table full of tapas. Idle Wolf opened inside the art-filled 21c Museum Hotel St. Louis, which is currently taking reservations for early August.

Giving St. Louis residents another option for downtown dining after the area has been neglected in recent years. Although this stretch of Downtown West and beyond into Midtown and Grand Center has been buzzing with the additions of CITYPARK soccer stadium and City Foundry STL.

In a hotel, known for its artistic expression, the restaurant and its attached lofty lounge area are works of art in themselves. The wall separating the living room and dining room is made of spiral leather straps and two-story windows let in natural light adjacent to the outdoor patio and Art Park. The hotel and Art Park is set to open on August 8th.

Check out more details here.

Photo Credit: Idol Wolf & DG2

We immediately dove into learning more about Atlas Public Schools as soon as DG2 Design was asked to design a playground for a new elementary school in downtown St. Louis. Atlas Elementary is a new school for curious, creative, and compassionate kids. The mission of Atlas Public Schools is to educate the whole child by combining a rigorous academic program with authentic, real-world experiences so all students thrive in middle school, high school, and beyond.

What kind of playground encourages imagination, physical challenges, and free play? Unlike other playing concepts Berliner spatial nets initiate a cognitive process in the playing child. The ability to make decisions is trained in a playful way. Children have a natural inclination to play and discover. It is important to strike a balance in your playground that allows children to extend themselves while remaining safe and injury-free. The playground should allow them to push themselves to test their boundaries and learn through doing.

Under the cover of a previously covered parking lot, the Atlas kids will have a variety of play options including two DNA Towers offering three-dimensional climbing and a slide as an alternative exit, a Trii climbing tower and tube slide, and a three-dimensional chess board!

This fantastic playground and a renovation project of adaptive reuse of a previously vacant building will meet the evolving needs of the school as it grows over the next five years.  The growth strategy includes adding a new grade each year until it reaches 600 students in kindergarten through fifth grade.