Portfolio Archive | Page 4 of 4

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

The 21c Museum Hotel St. Louis invites guests to explore a world of curiosity and art within its 10-story historic building and surrounding Art Park Garden. Housed in a beautifully renovated 95-year-old former YMCA, this unique boutique hotel blends the charm of its architectural heritage with contemporary art, making every corner an invitation to discover something new. The Louisville-based 21c brand is renowned for transforming historic structures into vibrant cultural destinations, complete with modern art installations and their iconic colored penguin statues.

DG2 Design’s Role: Integrating Building, Streetscape, and Art Park

DG2 Design collaborated with PWWG Architects and Hufft to seamlessly integrate the building, surrounding streetscape, and the Art Park Garden. The landscape architecture team crafted a cohesive design that marries the historical architecture with contemporary elements, enhancing the pedestrian experience while providing a green urban sanctuary. Thoughtful landscaping and strategic pathways connect the hotel’s entrances, outdoor dining spaces, and the Art Park, creating a welcoming flow that invites exploration and interaction.

The Art Park Garden: A Unique Urban Experience

St. Louis is the first 21c location to feature an Art Park Garden, highlighting the hotel’s commitment to merging art with the urban landscape. In collaboration with Laumeier Sculpture Park, the garden showcases View Finder, an interactive art installation by Chandler Ahrens. This series of kaleidoscopic, reflective tubes offers a captivating experience, capturing and distorting glimpses of the surrounding cityscape. Visitors are treated to a dynamic collage of images—blurred traffic, nearby architecture, and pedestrians seemingly walking through the sky—creating a mesmerizing fusion of viewer and environment.

A Space for Community and Celebration

Beyond its artistic appeal, the Art Park Garden serves as a versatile outdoor venue. It features a custom concrete amphitheater and artificial turf lawns, providing an inviting setting for wedding ceremonies, receptions, yoga sessions, and concerts. The park also extends the experience of the hotel’s Idol Wolf restaurant, offering a charming outdoor dining area under the shade of a grove of River Birch trees. It’s an ideal spot for hotel guests and locals alike to enjoy a coffee from Good Press Cafe while taking in the serene surroundings.

Through collaboration with PWWG Architects and Hufft, DG2 Design has crafted a vibrant and cohesive space where the historical building, modern art installations, and thoughtfully designed landscapes converge. The result is a unique cultural destination that celebrates the interplay between history, urban life, and nature, making 21c Museum Hotel St. Louis a standout addition to the city’s dynamic landscape.