'the city + the arch + the river' 2015, st louis



american team weiss/manfredi are one of the five finalists in the competition
'the city + the arch + the river' 2015 in st louis, missouri. the competition
asked participants to redesign the surroundings of the the iconic arch and weave
the national park back into the fabric of the city and the region, by rejuvenating
connections and bringing the area back to life.


their design involves coordinating 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.


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.