The winner was the Center of Clayton, designed by Christner, Inc., with L.A. Schaeffer Construction Co. providing construction management, and Poettker Construction Co. as the general contractor. The visionary idea of a joint-use facility to meet the recreation and wellness needs of students, the general community, and seniors, realized in an attractively designed package, opened up new avenues of community development in St. Louis, while setting new standards for recreation and community center design. The Sukkat Shalom synagogue, designed by Trivers Associates and built by BSI Constructors, was the winner in our religious project category, largely on the strength of the building's interior and the objectives of the building owner. Sukkat Shalom is the only synagogue within the city limits of St. Louis, and the first built in the city in over 50 years. It is an expression of the congregation's commitment to revitalize the city and fight racial and economic discrimination.
Some projects can be so unusual they are hard to categorize.
Two finalists this year fit that description, which is why we have the Special Projects category. One project was the James P. Kirkwood bridge, designed as a landmark structure reflecting the historical character of downtown Kirkwood and its early connection with railroads. The other was the Olson Family Garden, an extraordinary rooftop garden at St. Louis Children's Hospital. For complexity of execution, beauty of result, and poignancy of the need, the winner was the Olson Family Garden at St. Louis Children's Hospital. Located on the eighth floor of the hospital, the only access to receive and hoist materials was a 20-foot wide area on the street between the hospital's main entrance and the emergency room.