Villa di Maria Natural Playground

DG2 Design collaborated with Villa di Maria Montessori and DJM Ecological to design a unique playground for children ages 2.5–12, grounded in Montessori principles. This thoughtfully crafted space nurtures each child’s journey toward academic excellence and empowers them to embrace life’s challenges with innovation, compassion, determination, grace, and kindness.

Nestled among mature shade trees and adjacent to a picnic shelter and outdoor classroom, the playground serves as a natural extension of the Montessori learning environment. Here, children engage with elements that inspire creativity, independence, and hands-on exploration—key aspects of Montessori education. Features like tree stumps, embankment slides, tunnels, a “stump jungle gym,” and willow sculptures encourage imaginative play and physical activity. Loose parts invite endless creativity, transforming into rocket ships, volcanoes, clubhouses, and factories in the children’s hands.

This outdoor time is often the highlight of a child’s day, fostering social interaction, exercise, and joyful discovery. It’s also a favorite topic at pick-up time: “Guess what we made on the playground today!”

Fogerty Park Master Plan and Phase One

DG2 Design developed a comprehensive Master Plan and phase one construction documents for the revitalization of Fogerty Park in University City, MO. Established in 1928, Fogerty Park has long served the community from its location on 82nd Boulevard in northern University City. With changing needs and aging amenities, the time had come to rejuvenate this neighborhood park to better meet modern standards.

Our design team worked closely with City staff, local residents, and stakeholders to shape the vision for this 11-acre urban site, located adjacent to an elementary school. Through a combination of public online surveys, engagement workshops, and community presentations, we gathered valuable input to guide the final concept. Residents expressed a desire for environmental enhancements, recreational upgrades, and infrastructure improvements.

The plan reflects the community’s vision for an environmentally sustainable and dynamic space. Key proposed features include community garden plots, native plantings, educational signage, permeable pavement, and an outdoor classroom. These elements promote low-impact education and enhance the park’s landscape, supporting a healthy and interactive environment for all ages.

Raintree School Natural Playground

Raintree School, a private kindergarten and preschool, is a Forest School rooted in the Reggio Emilia approach, dedicated to nurturing academic growth while fostering a lifelong love of learning through project-based exploration and child-directed play. DG2 Design collaborated with Raintree to create a natural playground and forest environment that truly embodies these principles.

In keeping with the Reggio Emilia philosophy, this outdoor space encourages children to take ownership of their learning by exploring and interacting with nature. Traditional “school playgrounds” often limit children with restrictive equipment and rules. Raintree’s natural playground, however, replaces plastic swings and slides with real branches to climb, mossy logs, craggy boulders, and native woodland features, allowing children to engage with authentic textures and forms found in Missouri’s natural landscapes.

This nature-focused environment inspires children to explore, collaborate, and problem-solve, turning the outdoors into an extension of the classroom. The playground invites imaginative play and curiosity-driven learning, key components of the Reggio Emilia approach. Since opening in June 2014, it has provided children with an inspiring space to learn, play, and grow, where every day brings new discoveries in their natural world.

Client Feedback

“DG2 was instrumental in helping us realize our vision.  They were attuned to every detail of our unique needs through design and installation and provided excellent ongoing support well beyond the scope and timeframe of the project.  They played an indispensable role in the creation of Missouri’s first Reggio Emilia inspired forest school.” – Ilya Eydelman, Head of School

Faith Academy School Playground

Faith Academy desired a playground that would
encapsulate the principles and spirit of their Montessoribased
education. They envisioned a space that would foster
children’s natural curiosity, creativity, and independence
through hands-on, nature-centered experiences. To bring
this vision to life, DG2 Design took on the task of transforming
Faith Academy’s existing, overgrown, and eroded slope into
a vibrant, imaginative natural playground that reflects these
Montessori values.

Embankment slides have been integrated into the natural
topography of the slope, offering an exhilarating way for
children to engage with the landscape. Trunk tree climbers,
fashioned from local storm-fallen trees, challenge children
to develop their physical coordination and strength
while promoting imaginative play. Similarly, willow tunnel
structures and tire swings made from natural materials
invite exploration and movement, encouraging children to
interact with their environment in diverse ways.

The overall design not only supports the development of the
children’s physical, cognitive, and social skills but also serves
as an attractive feature for prospective families. The natural
playground stands as a visual and functional representation
of Faith Academy’s commitment to holistic, nature-based
education. As a result, it enhances the school’s appeal,
helping to attract new students and families who value an
environment that encourages growth and learning through
nature.

4340 Duncan – Cortex Innovation Community

The adaptive reuse of the historic 1930 Crescent Building breathed new life into a long-vacant structure, transforming it into a vibrant multi-tenant lab and office facility for St. Louis’ burgeoning bioscience startup community. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Crescent Building was once a bustling printing plant for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Today, it stands as a symbol of innovation and preservation, blending its rich industrial heritage with modern functionality.

The renovation maintained the building’s original architectural character while introducing a contemporary space program. Glass-walled office suites, state-of-the-art labs, support spaces, and meeting rooms now occupy a multistory atrium that once housed massive printing presses. The adaptive reuse honors the building’s past, with exposed brick, steel beams, and industrial features thoughtfully preserved to create a dynamic environment that bridges history and modernity.

DG2 Design was instrumental in shaping the surrounding site and landscape, creating a welcoming, accessible, and visually cohesive space that integrates seamlessly with the Cortex Innovation Community. Key enhancements included:

• A New Entrance and Ramp: A thoughtfully designed entrance features a generous ADA-compliant ramp, framed by native landscaping that enhances the building’s curb appeal and provides a green, inviting welcome.
• Streetscape Integration: We connected the building’s landscape to the broader Cortex district, ensuring a seamless flow and a unified streetscape experience for pedestrians and visitors.
• Walkout Terrace and Green Roof: The 1950s addition to the building was transformed with the installation of a walkout terrace and a green roof, offering an outdoor space for relaxation, meetings, and events while contributing to stormwater management and sustainability.
• Landscape Adaptation: As adjacent developments evolved, DG2 Design collaborated with the client to adjust the landscape, accommodating the changing environment and ensuring the campus remained cohesive and functional for its users.

This project is a testament to the power of adaptive reuse, preserving the historic essence of the Crescent Building while providing a modern, inspiring workspace for the next generation of innovators in St. Louis.

Mastercard Sustainable Campus Master Plan

In the summer of 2018, DG2 Design was commissioned by Cushman & Wakefield to develop a comprehensive landscape master plan for Mastercard’s 52-acre property in O’Fallon, MO. Home to a LEED Platinum-accredited facility constructed in 2000, this dynamic campus serves over 3,000 employees and continues to evolve to meet their needs. As the site matures, a forward-thinking blueprint was needed to guide its future growth, focusing on sustainability and enhancing campus biodiversity.

The sustainable master plan outlines key factors to consider when altering, replacing, or adding to the site’s established landscape. DG2 Design views sustainability through a holistic lens, encompassing three primary focus areas: Environmental, Economic, and Social. Although our master plan prioritizes environmental sustainability, we also recognize its overlap with economic efficiency and employee well-being—essential aspects for creating a resilient, vibrant campus.

Key Objectives of the Master Plan:

1. Environmental Stewardship
   The plan emphasizes enhancing campus biodiversity by introducing a diverse array of native plant species to create habitats for local wildlife, including pollinators and birds. By integrating a variety of trees, shrubs, and perennials, we aim to support ecological health and improve the site’s resilience against climate variability. Biodiverse landscapes not only strengthen the ecosystem but also enrich the sensory experience for employees, connecting them to nature and promoting mental well-being.
2. Sustainable Infrastructure
   Incorporating green infrastructure like rain gardens, bioswales, and permeable pavements helps manage stormwater naturally, reducing runoff and mitigating the urban heat island effect. The plan also recommends replacing traditional turf with native meadow plantings, reducing maintenance costs and water usage while supporting local pollinator populations.
3. Employee Wellness
   The master plan aligns with Mastercard’s commitment to employee wellness by creating inviting outdoor spaces. Enhanced walking trails, shaded seating areas, and outdoor meeting spots are designed to encourage physical activity, relaxation, and social interaction, fostering a vibrant campus culture.

A Blueprint for Future Growth

The intent of the master plan was to provide a strategic toolkit with Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to guide design and specification decisions as future capital improvement projects are identified. These KPIs encompass aspects of landscape maintenance, environmental sustainability, and employee wellness, offering measurable targets to track progress and ensure continuous improvement.

As Mastercard’s O’Fallon campus begins its shift towards a more sustainable and biodiverse landscape, this master plan serves as a vital roadmap, ensuring that each design choice contributes to a greener, more resilient environment for the years ahead.   Dg2 Design is proudly continuing to assist Mastercard as they implement the proposed master plan projects. 

The Venue at Maison du Lac

In collaboration with Tao + Lee Associates, DG2 Design transformed a former llama farm into The Venue at Maison du Lac, a stunning, nature-focused event space set in the scenic countryside of Catawissa, Missouri, just 40 miles outside of St. Louis. This unique destination offers an idyllic setting for weddings, receptions, corporate retreats, and other special gatherings.

The 25-acre property combines historic charm with modern elegance. Near the heart of the site stands the Maison du Lac stone house, built in 1843, now beautifully restored. Adjacent to this historic gem is a contemporary 300-seat banquet hall designed by Tao + Lee, featuring expansive lakeside views that create a breathtaking backdrop for any event.

DG2 Design’s master plan concept strategically frames views across the diverse landscape, highlighting the prairie, woodlands, and the picturesque Catawissa Stone House. Overlooking a serene 4-acre lake, the venue provides various ceremony sites, including a repurposed barn, winding trails, and accessible lake edges, offering guests multiple options for memorable experiences.

Future Vision and Garden Expansion

As part of a phased approach to enhance the venue’s appeal, plans for expanding the gardens are set to unfold as the budget allows. Future enhancements may include curated themed gardens, native wildflower meadows, and additional lakeside plantings to further enrich the natural beauty of the site. These expansions aim to increase biodiversity, provide stunning photo opportunities, and create new spaces for intimate ceremonies and gatherings, ensuring that The Venue at Maison du Lac continues to be a distinctive destination in the St. Louis area.

The collaboration between all parties, including the visionary landscape design by DG2 Design, has brought this extraordinary venue to life. Now, guests can experience a one-of-a-kind event space where history, nature, and modern design seamlessly converge.

The PwC Pennant Building Rooftop

DG2 Design partnered with HKS and Tao + Lee Architects to create the first Class A office building for PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) at St. Louis Cardinals’ Ballpark Village. This 11-story office tower, named after its anchor tenant, spans 117,000 sq. ft. and offers a premier workspace with street-level retail, restaurants, and entertainment spaces. Located at the intersection of 8th and Walnut streets, just a short five-minute walk from Busch Stadium, the building features a rooftop plaza with spectacular views of the stadium and The Arch.

Rooftop Plaza Design

The rooftop amenities are thoughtfully designed with large concrete pavers on a raised pedestal system, creating a sleek, modern aesthetic. Key features include:

• Custom Dual Pergola Structure: Provides shaded areas for relaxation and gatherings.
• Firepit and Site Furnishings: Cozy couches surround the firepit, accompanied by modern picnic tables and round cocktail tables, offering versatile seating options for socializing and dining.
• Built-In Planters and Accent Lighting: Enhance the ambiance and define spaces within the open rooftop area.

Focus on Biodiversity

DG2 Design selected native and resilient plant species to introduce biodiversity to this urban rooftop, which is typically a harsh environment for vegetation. The carefully chosen plant palette not only adds greenery but also attracts a variety of pollinators and insects, bringing life and vibrancy to the space. The inclusion of these elements has created a dynamic, nature-infused environment that enhances the user experience and promotes ecological health.

This collaboration has resulted in a premier office space that seamlessly integrates modern amenities with sustainable landscape design, setting a new standard for urban work environments in St. Louis.

Upper Muny Festival & Parking Plaza

DG2 Design, in collaboration with Horner Shifrin Engineers, led the renovation of the historic 11-acre Festival & Parking Plaza in Forest Park. Used more than 30 weekends a year for special events, this plaza also serves as the primary parking lot for over 350,000 Muny patrons annually.

The new design for the 75-year-old lot incorporates raised islands and curbed sidewalks, enhancing traffic flow and pedestrian safety. High-efficiency LED light poles now include water hookups and extra outlets, meeting the needs of various events. Stormwater management is achieved through bioretention basins, while extensive landscaping brings a natural, welcoming aesthetic that integrates seamlessly with the surrounding park.

An extensive palette of native plants—including 100 trees, 850 shrubs, and over 4,300 perennials—was thoughtfully selected to absorb stormwater, improve biodiversity, and enrich the visitor experience. Designs were finalized in 2014, and construction was completed on schedule in May 2015, ensuring uninterrupted enjoyment of The Muny’s musical season and popular events like The Great Forest Park Balloon Race & Glow and Loufest.

Client Feedback
“DG2’s work on the new and improved Festival & Parking Plaza in Forest Park was high-quality and completed on time, within a schedule that kept the Muny season uninterrupted. It’s been great to see visitors use and enjoy this greatly improved space in recent years.”
— David Lenczycki, Director of Planning & Projects

21c Museum Hotel St. Louis