Center for Nursing & Health Sciences
at St. Louis Community College - Forest Park
The first iteration of one of three bioretentions areas which approximately 98% of stormwater will be treated and recharged
The connection between existing buildings on campus and the new facility relies on strong axial relationships and soft gathering spaces.
The front bioretention area must function at a high level while creating a welcoming front door to the campus.
Entry of the building will serve as a multi-purpose auto court and pedestrian plaza
A complex planting plan relies on the concept of "plant communities" to emulate nature.
The planting plan engages three distinct "layers" of planting: Structural, Dynamic and Field.
For contractor ease the planting plans were separated and gridded off. At install, the three distinct layers will create a robust tapestry.
Throughout the document production process the team engaged professors at the STLCC Horticulture program, leading to evolution in the planting plan.
Proposed campus improvements following a thorough inventory and analysis process.
Aerial perspective of proposed improvements and the new Center for Nursing & Health Sciences.
The location adjacent Forest Park and critical employment and transit connections makes the visibility of the campus improvements a crucial element of the design process.
"The single design and implementation of construction along a very diverse group of contractors, tradesmen and artisans are a direct representation of the college’s progressive thinking about requirements in today’s environment.”
Collaborators
KAI Design and Build
Glasper Professional Services
HOK
Code Consulting
Larson Engineering
Lucy Williams, LEED
Zodiac Commissioning
Tarlton Corporation
Project Facts
Size
5 Acres
Services
Needs Assessment
Schematic Design through Construction Review
LEED Services
Completion
2019 Anticipated
Client
Saint Louis Community College
Facts
17,000+ sf of Native Plantings
98% of Stormwater retained on site in three bioretention areas
Anticipated LEED Gold certification
The Center for Nursing & Health Sciences is the first modification to the original Forest Park Campus since the 1960s, replacing two classroom towers with a state-of-the-art learning facility. DTLS completed a conceptual master plan to integrate the new construction into the existing campus, enhancing pedestrian and vehicular connectivity. This master plan created the ideal site placement of the Center for Nursing & Health Sciences, as well as re-envisioning the arrival experience via a new campus entry.
The new north-south drive from Oakland Avenue became the primary entry to the campus and defines a new identity for students and visitors. The entry is directly adjacent to the new building and also serves as a multi-purpose auto court and pedestrian plaza; offering flexible seating and a patient drop off area while acting as an event space or an area for staging mock automotive emergencies for student lessons.
Awarded LEED Silver certification for sustainable practices, approximately 98% of the stormwater falling on this project site is treated in the three bioretention areas where pollutants are removed and groundwater will be recharged. Plant species native to the Saint Louis region create the primary palette for over 17,000 sq ft of planting areas including ornamental beds and bioretention. Native species support biodiversity while their design arrangement reduces maintenance and reliance on irrigation.
The Details
connectivity
vision
visibility
reimagine
pedestrian spine
campus