Public Media Commons

HONOR AWARD

GENERAL DESIGN

St. Louis, MO | DLANDstudio, Architecture + Landscape Architecture, PLLC | Client: St. Louis Regional Public Media, Inc. led by KETC Nine Network, Public Television

PROJECT STATEMENT

The Public Media Commons creates an interactive open space where arts, education, and public media come together. It’s goal was to develop a new kind of public space that included traditional plaza components as well as features that could respond to media programming. A perforated metal scrim was designed to clad the adjacent existing buildings. The scrim works by first transforming and unifying the vernacular of the surrounding buildings, secondly to create areas for new media components. These features allow for the networks to broadcast live content into the commons as well as develop specialized projections for special events within the plaza. The commons accommodates performance stages for small groups, multiple seating areas, a large projection screen, and a rich plant palette that harkens to Missouri's native prairie landscape. It is a powerful expression of the future relationship between public media and public space.

PROJECT NARRATIVE

Public Media Commons is in the Grand Center District in St. Louis, MO. The former parking lot sits between the public television and radio stations, also the project’s clients. The goal of the project was to develop a new kind of public space that included traditional plaza components as well as features that could respond to media programming at the two stations. The existing conditions of the commons included a substantial grade change in the north where the site meets an alley, varied facades from the surrounding buildings, and views of the back of house chillers from the Sheldon Concert Hall.

A perforated metal scrim was designed to clad the adjacent buildings. The scrim works two folds- first, to transform the aesthetic of the commons and unify the vernacular of the surrounding buildings, secondly to create areas for new media components. Where the perforations densify the scrim is more solid allowing for digital projection. In other instances the scrim maneuvers around newly added digital screens and meeting room at the Nine Networks building. These features allow for the networks to broadcast live content into the commons as well as develop specialized projections for special events within the plaza.

Plant species were selected in coordination with the Missouri Botanic Garden as well as the client. The location of the planting takes advantage of the grade change to create a layered effect while also providing a buffer to the alley. A tree grove and grassy planting at the base of the Sheldon Concert Hall help to unify the spaces on either side of the alley. Plant species were selected based on their seasonal qualities to complement the ever changing news and media cycles of the networks.

Unit pavers in varying shades of grey are arranged as an abstraction of sound waves throughout the plaza. The patterned paver area includes anchors to install a temporary clear tent structure owned by the client, expanding the life of the plaza in varied weather conditions. The paving throughout the plaza is light in color to increase the albedo of the site which becomes most apparent when compared to the existing condition of the parking lot.

The design of Public Media Commons creates an interactive open space where arts, education, and public media come together. The commons accommodates performance stages for small groups, multiple seating areas, a large projection screen, and a rich plant palette that harkens to Missouri's native prairie landscape. It is a powerful expression of the future relationship between public media and public space.

"An outstanding characteristic of the plan is its simplicity. It creates a space that is welcoming all the time...A lot could go on in what is essentially an alley."

- 2015 Awards Jury

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