Landscape Architect Articles

An Impressive Midwestern Performance01-15-25 | Feature

An Impressive Midwestern Performance

Kirkwood Performing Arts Center
by cot Talbert, PLA, ASLA and Lucas Tabaka, Planning Design Studio

Kirkwood, Missouri's community center, which formerly housed the performing arts theater, was deemed lacking in the facilities required to properly serve the local population, so an effort was started to build separate spaces where more activities could take place. This resulted in the new Kirkwood Performing Arts Center at a site less than a mile away from the new original location, which still hosts events. Leading the way through the preliminary concept phase was landscape architecture firm Planning Design Studio (PDS) of St. Louis. Collaborating closely with Kirkwood officials and the project architect Jacobs, the team reached out to residents, city staff, and performing artists to find out what they wanted and needed from the new facility. Once a concept was seletcted, the team formulated the key elements the of the landscape plan. The final concept created a detailed streetscape that emphasizes the pedestrian experience with details like cantilevered platforms leading to the center's entrance.

The Kirkwood Performing Arts Center logo was mounted on a colored concrete feature wall that directs theater attendees up to the cantilevered platforms. This structure also acts as a retaining wall to maximize the amount of space of the facility's event lawn. The plants on the other side of the wall include Black gum trees (Nyssa sylvatica) to screen views of the parking lot and add more visual variety to the sidewalk. Thirteen thousand square feet of exposed aggregate concrete, colored in stone gray, was required for the pavement.

Each cantilevered platform is over nine feet wide, providing ample room for visitors to gather and enjoy the seat walls next to the steps. The inclusion of plantings (left) separates the platform gathering area from the public sidewalk and the street, creating a greater sense of privacy. Horsetail rush (Equisetum hyemale, middle) is known as an aggressive perennial, but it acts as a barrier between each platform level, an indicator of where the steps are, and a "backrest" for the platform's seat wall.

A large transparent window within the lower lobby was intended to blur the lines between the indoors and outdoors. A series of small Saucer Magnolia (Magnolia x soulaneana) trees line the front exterior of the lobby, adding dimension to the overall landscape. Their lower limbs weren't pruned so they would look like large shrubs. Plants were carefully selected to maintain visibility to the street yet provide enough screening to give a sense of enclosure.

To better lead visitors up to the main entrance at night, the cantilevered platforms were specified with warm LED strip lights underneath them. A large array of lighting was installed to ensure that visitors have safe gathering spaces in the evening and after dark, as well as to enhance the site's sculptural elements. River birch trees (Betula nigra 'BNMTF') were planted on both sides of the platforms. As these trees begin to mature, their branches will interlock and create intimate "rooms." Additional trees included Ginkgo (Gingko biloba) and Princeton Elm (Ulmus americana 'Princeton').

Decorative gravel lines the front of the event center to add more texture to the pathway leading to the event lawn. The streamlined railing's frame is made of aluminum with a matte black powder coat. The cables are stainless steel with a black oxide finish. The indoor event space was strategically connected to the outdoor event lawn to provide ample space for large-scale events that may require both an indoor and outdoor space.

Hydrangeas (Hydrangea arborescens) and other plantings line the edge of the 3,500-square-foot event lawn. These flowers were meant to add visual appeal from both exterior and interior views. Other flowering plants specified were Common periwinkle (Vinca minor), Kobold blazing star (Liatris spicata 'Kobold'), and Lily Turf Big Blue (Liriope muscari 'Big Blue').

The outdoor site plan was designed to match the building's modern architecture, featuring numerous geometric, rectangular shapes. Examples of this endeavor include the retaining wall around the event lawn, the cantilevered platforms, and the walkways connecting the street to the building.

Two bioretention basins capture water from the surrounding parking lot, detaining it and filtering it through engineered soil media and bio-basin plantings that include Great green bulrush (Scirpus atrovirens), Morning star sledge (Carex grayi), Shenandoah switch grass, (Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah'), Shining blue star (Amsonia illustris), and Swamp mallow (Hibiscus moscheutos).

Small, decorative elements like the painted fire hydrants were added to the design by the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center staff to give the street a sense of place. Aside from the decorative elements, functional elements were also incorporated throughout the site, such as oval lighting poles with pole banner capability that illuminate the street as well as the stepped platforms with lighitng underneath.

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The Kirkwood Performing Arts Center has undergone a thrilling transformation, finally breaking free from the confines of the City of Kirkwood's outdated community center. With a vision for revitalization, Planning Design Studio (PDS), a landscape architecture firm based in St. Louis, took the helm during the preliminary concept phase for the new site less than a mile away from the community center.

Collaborating closely with Kirkwood officials and Jacobs, the architecture firm on the project, the team seized the opportunity to separate the theater from the community center, paving the way for a vibrant new chapter in the community's cultural landscape. The new performing arts center includes an auditorium, many different rooms that can be utilized to host various events, and a main lobby. There is also an expansive event lawn for outdoor festivities and indoor/outdoor activities, since the indoor room has direct access to the lawn.

As the lead design company for this project, PDS developed a comprehensive site plan for the performing arts center, brainstorming innovative concepts that could breathe new life into the facility.

Teamwork Is Essential
A team was put together to craft several concept plans and examine options for public plazas, parking arrangements, landscaping, stormwater management, and the potential re-purposing of the adjacent Public Works site.

Once the concept plan was selected, the project team was then able to formulate key elements such as plantings, site furnishings, lighting features, pavement design, and stormwater management.

The final concept established a substantial connection to the most used street in the downtown area by providing an intricate streetscape that heavily focuses on a pedestrian's experience leading up to the main entrance of the building. The integration of plants and warm lighting also created an inviting landscape that blends harmoniously with the building's modern architecture.

Recognizing this venue's significance as one of the first of its kind in the area, gathering community input in every step was vital for a successful outcome. The design team actively engaged with residents, city staff, and performing artists to understand their preferences and expectations for the new facility. The utilization of this input resulted in the creation of a space that not only revitalizes the existing streetscape, but also serves as a new, functional asset for the community.

Getting Down to the Details

The city tasked the Landscape Architect with designing a main entry that reflected the artistic theme of the building. As a visitor approaches the building, they are greeted with a concrete wall that features a large LED sign of the performing arts center's logo and name. A smaller logo sign is also located in the left-hand corner on the opposite side of the concrete wall. This strategic placement ensures that the logo is clearly visible from both directions of the street.

Due to the street elevation being much lower than the building's first floor, the design team was forced to address the grade change of the new facility. To overcome this obstacle, they crafted an innovative stairway that served a dual purpose by also appearing as a sculptural piece. The design incorporated several cantilevered platforms that lead to the main entrance, a visitor gathering space, and additional outdoor seating. The platforms were outfitted with LED strips on their undersides, which give the appearance of a floating structure while creating a warm ambiance and ensuring safe visibility after dark.

Multiple handrails were also included to provide more safety for visitors. The concrete finish on the platforms was selected to mimic the material used on the lobby flooring, ultimately connecting the indoor and outdoor experiences.

The Green Scene
To soften the hard elements of the project - such as the building, retaining walls, and dumpster enclosures - the team included a variety of plants that were carefully selected for their ornamental and functional characteristics. These plants not only provide a more sustainable landscape, but also add an array of colors, textures, and seasonal interest to the vista.

Small canopy trees such as River birch (Betula nigra 'BNMTF') were positioned to screen undesirable sights, focus attention on key viewpoints, and bring down the scale of the vast building structure. More trees were planted throughout the parking lot to soften the hardscape, while additional plantings were placed near the building next to the accessible parking area.

The 3,500-square-foot event lawn is elevated above the adjacent street to keep it functional and connected to the building's event room. Although the lawn is a large open space, the planting of shrubs along its outside edges allows for privacy during events.

Site furnishings along a small walkway adorn one side of the event lawn, complemented by multiple lighting features to enhance illumination across the lawn. For easy outdoor access to the main entrance of the building, the event lawn features a connecting pathway.

Capturing the Overflow
The Landscape Architects consulted with civil engineers to address stormwater runoff. They specified areas of permeable pavement in the parking lot and an out-of-sight, underground hydrodynamic separator.

Two bioretention basins are filled with an assortment of resilient, water-loving plants. Shrubs incorporated into the basins encompass Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis), Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius), Oak leaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia), and Red twig dogwood (Comus sericea 'Cardinal'). Several perennials were also included in the bioretention basins such as Great green bulrush (Scirpus atrovirens), Morning star sledge (Carex grayi), Shenandoah switch grass (Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah'), Shining blue star (Amsonia illustris), and Swamp mallow (Hibiscus moscheutos).

The Reviews Are In
With the support of their project partners, Planning Design Studio created an exceptional landscape. The entire outdoor site encompasses the true artistic nature of the building by including sculptural features that enhance the overall building structure. Aside from aesthetic, the landscape is also very functional, featuring many conveniences like accessible walkways and, of course, places where the community can come together to connect.

The separation of the two facilities ultimately expanded the value of each and broadened the amenities in the lively downtown district of Kirkwood. With the 530-seat auditorium, the performing arts center has already been able to host many desirable plays, concerts, and musicals. In the end, the design and development of the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center resulted in a resounding success and is now a landmark in the Kirkwood community.

TEAM LIST
Landscape Architect - Planning Design (Scot Talbert, Lead, Heather Brown, Landscape Designer)
Architect and Project Manager - Jacobs (Jason Pierce, Lead)
Theater Consultant - Schuler Shock
Acoustics Consultant - Threshold Acoustics, LLC
Design Build Contractor - BSI Constructors, Inc.
Mechanical/Plumbing Engineer - Jarrell
Electrical Engineer - Sachs Electric
Fire Protection - United Fire Protection