GARDEN UNDER THE BRIDGE 2012

Scott Ave Metro Transit Station. Saint Louis, Missouri, USA.

20’ H x 50’ L x 50’ W

Stainless Steel, Integrated Lighting, Formed Concrete Plaza Floor

The new Scott Avenue Transit Station, which serves St. Louis’s Grand MetroLink, is located beneath the new Grand Avenue Bridge.  This has traditionally been a very dark site.  This integrated sculptural environment incorporates designed lighting to create a bright, open, and safe atmosphere for commuters. The influence of natural shapes and lines soften the Plaza site reinforcing the welcoming tone of the space.   The artist’s concept uses the curvilinear lines of nature to drive the design, creating a “garden” with concrete, steel and light.  The two sculptural ‘seed pod’ forms create a gateway to the station.  The gateway forms are semi-transparent, allowing natural light to run through.  The stream of light one sees during the day becomes a glowing blue light at night which radiates from the forms and illuminates the entire plaza.  The LED lighting embedded in the organic paving design work in concert with the sculpture, and are the "night blooming flowers" of this “Garden Under the Bridge.”

Architecture:  Austin Tao, AIA,  St. Louis, MO

Landscape Architecture:  The Lawrence Group, St. Louis, MO

Commissioned by METRO, St. Louis, MO.

Photo Credit: Dan Donovan