Planning Design Studio (PDS) is an award-winning landscape architecture, planning, and urban design firm based in Saint Louis, Missouri. Since 2006, we have served both public and private clients to create memorable places, strengthen communities, and manage diverse environments.
We believe the best solutions come from a process that involves careful listening, clear communication, and creative collaboration. We value designs that are practical, imaginative, environmentally sustainable, and cost-effective. Our managing principals of the firm Noel Fehr, Andrew Franke, Scott Emmelkamp, and Jeff Nilges, along with our other team members, Scot Talbert, Jonathan Corbett, Marley Renner, and Lucas Tabaka make certain to incorporate our core values of creativity, quality, and accountability into every project. By doing so, PDS has made the most meaningful connections with the St. Louis community and surrounding regions.

Kirkwood Performing Arts Center (KPAC), Kirkwood, Missouri

 
The Kirkwood Performing Arts Center (KPAC) is a hub for creativity and self-expression, which are two key elements that Planning Design Studio (PDS) used during the site planning process. Various concept plans were developed to explore alternatives for public plazas, parking, landscape, stormwater treatment and evaluating the reuse of the adjoining Public Works site. The entrance includes a set of cantilevered platforms that add dimension and accent the initial building structure. These platforms are also multi-use as they can function as seat walls for visitors. In the evening, the steps leading up to the entrance are illuminated by thin strips of LED lights. A dark-colored concrete wall featuring KPAC's logo adds to the contemporary, monochromatic design. Ornamental plantings are placed around the center to bring color, form, and human scale to the overall design. These plantings help treat and filter stormwater in rain gardens and plant beds.

Broemmelsiek Park, St. Charles County, MO

Planning Design Studio (PDS) led the design team of engineers and architects in the third phase of this project transforming a 500-acre historic farm into a public park. This phase included the conversion of the site's old farmhouse into a 4,000 sq. ft. visitor's center. Other phase three improvements involved connecting a previously developed area of path with a new and more accessible park entrance that streamlined park traffic. On a hilltop overlooking the lake sits a shelter complex featuring pavilions, themed playground equipment, restrooms, a large gathering plaza, and a fire pit area. Near the lake, there is a boardwalk, a lakeside picnic shelter, composting restrooms, and native plant landscaping. The shelter near the lake is used during weekdays for environmental education outreach to area schools.

Walker Lake, Kirkwood Park, Kirkwood, Missouri

Walker Lake is one of the largest amenities that Kirkwood Park has to offer. The lake boasts many different features such as a long path that connects to both a boardwalk and pedestrian bridge. Sculptural pieces and small furnishings can be located in different areas around the lake. Over the years, the water feature began facing issues that resulted in poor wildlife habitats, poor water quality, and an outdated aesthetic. Planning Design Studio (PDS) utilized lake-bottom re-contouring to improve drainage and reduce algae accumulation. By doing so, the lake was able to sustain itself allowing fish and other wildlife to flourish. Natural stone and aquatic edge plantings restored the lake's natural character. A new recirculation system doubles as a visual interest feature along a restored stream channel feeding the lake. State-of-the-art natural rainwater infiltration and filtering areas known as 'best management practices' (BMPs) improve the quality of water entering the lake, increasing the site's environmental sustainability.

Maline Greenway, Bella Fontaine Park, Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO

Planning Design Studio (PDS) has been involved in several projects along the eight-mile Maline Greenway corridor from trail alignment studies to construction documents and construction period services. PDS assisted M3 Engineering Group (Prime consultant) with an alignment study and construction documents for a 1.5-mile section of the Maline Greenway in Bella Fontaine County Park. The project included determining alternatives for crossing Lewis & Clark Boulevard and replacement of three deteriorated pedestrian bridges. PDS developed alignment and placemaking concepts and designed native landscape plantings along the trail corridor. Placemaking features included decorative columns located on both sides of the new pedestrian bridges and nodes with special pavement and benches along the trail.