In summer 2018, DG2 Design was commissioned by Cushman & Wakefield to develop a comprehensive landscape master plan for Mastercard’s 52-acre campus in O’Fallon, Missouri. Home to a LEED Platinum–certified facility built in 2000 and serving more than 3,000 employees, the campus was ready for a forward-thinking blueprint to guide its next phase of growth — one focused on sustainability, biodiversity, and the well-being of the people who work there every day.

A Holistic Approach to Sustainability

DG2 Design approaches sustainability through three interconnected lenses: environmental stewardship, economic efficiency, and social well-being. While the Mastercard master plan prioritizes environmental outcomes, all three dimensions are addressed throughout — recognizing that a truly resilient campus must serve people and ecosystems alike.

Environmental Stewardship and Biodiversity

The plan calls for introducing a diverse palette of native plant species — trees, shrubs, and perennials — to create habitat for local wildlife including pollinators and birds. Replacing traditional turf with native meadow plantings reduces water usage and maintenance costs while strengthening the ecological health of the site. Green infrastructure elements, including rain gardens, bioswales, and permeable pavement, help manage stormwater naturally and mitigate the urban heat island effect.

Employee Wellness and Outdoor Experience

The master plan aligns with Mastercard’s commitment to employee wellness by enhancing walking trails, providing shaded seating areas, and creating outdoor meeting spaces that encourage physical activity, relaxation, and social interaction. A biodiverse landscape not only strengthens the ecosystem — it enriches the sensory experience for the thousands of employees who move through it each day, fostering a meaningful connection to nature within the work environment.

A Strategic Toolkit for Long-Term Growth

The master plan serves as a strategic toolkit, with Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), to guide design and specification decisions as future capital improvement projects are identified. These KPIs span landscape maintenance, environmental sustainability, and employee wellness — providing measurable benchmarks to track progress over time. DG2 Design continues to support Mastercard as the campus moves forward with the implementation of the proposed master plan projects.