Campus Renewal Phase I – North Building Streetscape

Rapid advancements in healthcare practices have had dramatic impact on the importance of facilities and environments. The growing focus on patient outcomes and evidence-based design translates directly to an increased emphasis on the quality of the physical surroundings and open space amenities of healthcare campuses. In reaction to this evolution, Barnes Jewish Hospital, St. Louis Children’s Hospital, and Washington University Medical Campus, St. Louis’ largest hospital system, took a hard look at its amalgamated footprint and devised a long-term plan for unification.

The Campus Renewal Project took on the onerous task of redesigning and transforming the district through new construction and strategic renovations. Campus Renewal vowed a holistic approach to the three distinct entities to ensure these buildings and clinical spaces function effectively, efficiently, and safely – enabling clinicians and caregivers to offer the best possible care.

In Phase I of this massive undertaking, DTLS was responsible for the redesign of the public realm, transforming and updating the streetscape to accommodate the new facilities and encourage a vibrant pedestrian space that is responsive to its environmental context. Along exterior streetscapes, comprehensive updates set up a framework that DTLS later documented in Public Realm Design Standards for all future endeavors.

Porous pavers allow infiltration of stormwater, while continuous plant trenches utilize engineered soils promote root growth for a healthy landscape. The plant palette is comprised of native species or adaptive cultivars, celebrating Missouri’s indigenous plant communities. The goal is to create a biophillic landscape that comforts by connecting patients, staff and the general public to nature.

In future phases, this effort will expand to replace outdated care towers and address the front door of the campus for patients – a massive parking garage located beneath a beloved neighborhood park.