EXPO 2030:
Layering the Past and Future
Fall 2021 // LDARCH 203C: Shaping the Public Realm // Walter Hood + Anna Brand
In 2030, a world’s exposition will be held at Fairground Park in St Louis, Missouri. This plan proposal provides a main entrance on the southeast commercial end of the park, with smaller local entrances on the heavily residential western end.
Users will traverse the open landscape and pass through or around the new forest design, to reach a central lake, the confluence of three major pavilions. Each pavilion utilizes Rem Koolhaas’ Serpentine Pavilion design as a central exhibition, with surrounding gardens characterized by three themes: climate + landscape, community living, and race + culture.
Existing Site Overlay
Main Entrance
Parking
Pavilion of Landscape + Climate
The Pavilion of Landscape and Climate envisions a future of sustainability and climate adaptation. Over the next several decades the city will experience heavier rainfall, which may result in the flooding of Fairground Park. This pavilion garden allows for drainage and groundwater charging.
The sunken, stepped basin brings exposition visitors and locals into a deep field of diverse materials and reflection pools. The raindrop pattern is emphasized with over 50 catchment systems, varying in porosity and scale. Water seeps into grassy basins while granite basins mirror reflections and surrounding tree density. Users wander and wind through the landscape to reach the central pavilion.
Pavilion of Community Living
The garden of community living functions as a model of future multigenerational housing. The townhomes share communal green spaces and welcome neighbor interaction. The absence of cars and elevated pathways enhance biodiversity and greening while providing accessibility to all ages.
Pavilion of Race & Culture
The garden of race and culture provides an immersive experience, where users slow down and explore the heavily vegetated concrete planes. Upper planes provide expansive views of the expo site, while lower planes create shaded hideaways for meditation and respite.
