This competition proposal, with SOM, BIG and artist Jaume Plensa, transformed the park around the St. Louis Arch and the long neglected land across the river in East St. Louis via strategies of restoration and contemporary interventions to better connect the arch and its historic landscape to the city, river and adjacent districts.

The proposal for the west side includes a land bridge over the freeway to connect to the city, generous terraces and ramps to connect to a pedestrianized river bank, and edges revitalized by better connections to parking and adjacent mixed-use districts. The east side proposal includes the restoration of river wetlands on post-industrial land with winding boardwalks amidst interactive art and a new performance amphitheater with spectacular views to the arch and city skyline.