The Framing a Modern Masterpiece competition will enhance, extend, and transform the identity of the iconic Gateway Arch and the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial. Weiss/Manfredi is committed to the dynamic integration of architecture, art, infrastructure, and landscape design. As project lead, Weiss/Manfredi will direct the design and development of the project and will coordinate the team’s efforts.
Our Core Team of consultants includes Magnusson Klemencic Associates, innovative civil and structural engineers; artist Mark Dion, who explores relationships between art, history, science, and the natural world; St. Louis-based landscape architects, SWT Design who bring local knowledge and experience; programming and economic development experts HR&A Advisors; and Beyer Blinder Belle who bring experience with architecture and planning in historic and landmarked settings. Our Core Team forms a focused and agile team capable of bringing together multiple disciplines in an integrated design process. Our unique strength comes from our shared success in world-class design involving coordination with local, state, and federal agencies; historic and landmarked settings; highly visible and symbolic spaces; urban waterfronts with complex infrastructural and industrial conditions; historically, ecologically, and culturally rich settings; and projects that catalyze sustainable economic and community development. We will leverage this diverse set of capabilities throughout the project to address the complex conditions of the site and program and to guide the efforts of our Comprehensive Team of consultants.
Our Comprehensive Team of consultants represents a depth and breadth of knowledge and includes: Transpo Group traffic engineers, Davis Langdon cost estimators, Biohabitats regenerative ecologists, Atelier Ten sustainability advisors, Focus St. Louis + Added Dimension community outreach consultants, and others for security, graphics, playground, food service, code consulting, MEP/FP engineering, surveying, shoreline engineering, and local representation. In addition to the Comprehensive team, Weiss/Manfredi has developed a group of Consulting Specialists such as D.I.R.T. studio and including archeologists, historians, and hydrologists that will ensure design concepts are founded on the most informed, diverse, and relevant foundation of knowledge available.
The Framing a Modern Masterpiece competition has the obvious potential to connect cities as well as the urgent need to bridge communities, extend economies, recover ecologies, and intertwine divergent histories for a sustainable future. From a context of social, cultural, ecological, and infrastructural complexity, an innovative and elegant design will emerge. We believe this competition represents a compelling opportunity to frame a transformative sequence of experiences that engage the complex histories and identities that define our communities, cities, and nation.
