Arbolope Studio is an award-winning landscape architecture and urban design firm based in St. Louis, Missouri ( MO ), USA

The Lofts of Washington University

Location
St. Louis, MO
Client

Washington University in St. Louis

Team

William Rawn Associates
Boston, MA Stephen Stimson Associates Cambridge, MA

Services

Landscape Architecture
LEED Design Services
Green Roof Design

Awards
About the Project

The Lofts of Washington University is a new 5.1 acre off-campus housing complex for Washington University in St. Louis undergraduate students. Located on the Delmar Loop, a vibrant commercial district, the lofts provide an exciting urban living option within walking distance of the campus.

The Lofts design includes first floor retail and dining facing Delmar Blvd, an underground parking garage, generous sidewalks, street trees and outdoor dining areas and an elegantly designed pedestrian Mews linking the complex.

The landscape strategy for the Lofts sought to create a variety of options for outdoor residential gathering and to collect and manage the site’s stormwater. Courtyards and roof terraces punctuate the five structures and ground level apartments open to enclosed courtyards for outdoor study and gathering. The Lofts project also included the creation of a new .7 acre Neighborhood Park across Enright St.

The landscape’s signature moment is a paved runnel which traces the movement of stormwater from Delmar, along the length of the Mews, into to a rain-garden at it’s northern end. This along with other rain gardens and bioswales collect the site’s stormwater.