The Pierre Laclede Center stands as a defining presence in Clayton’s business district—two towers rising from an entire city block, a hub of corporate energy set within a hardscape of glass, steel, and stone. In 2010, the property’s owners sought to transform its public plazas, creating a more inviting and immersive experience for tenants and visitors alike.

For eight seasons (2010–2017), we were commissioned to reimagine the space, designing a seasonal display that would soften the architecture’s edges and bring a dynamic sense of presence to the plazas. The project centered around nearly 100 large stationary planters, already home to structural plantings—kousa dogwoods, boxwoods, and hollies—but lacking the layered, seasonal plantings that could animate the space and bring it to a more human scale. The goal was to create an environment that felt welcoming not just to those who worked there, but to visitors and passersby as well.

Rather than treating the planters as isolated displays, we took a naturalistic approach, using an assortment of lush foliage plants, flowering annuals, and textural grasses to create a cohesive visual rhythm across the site. Each planting was curated to suit its specific exposure—full sun, deep shade, or partial light—ensuring that the displays would thrive while maintaining a unified design language.

Over nearly a decade, the project evolved seasonally, introducing new plant palettes that responded to both design intent and site conditions. The result was a landscape that challenged expectations of commercial planting design. Vibrant colors, dramatic foliage, and rapid growth brought a sense of theater and movement to an otherwise static urban environment. By allowing the compositions to evolve with the seasons, the project transformed building entrances, terraces, and courtyards into immersive, ever-changing spaces.

The project was recognized with a Merit Award from the Perennial Plant Association, and the Missouri Botanical Garden honored our collaboration with property owner KBS Realty Advisors for our commitment to elevating the site’s landscape.

At its core, this project was about more than just softening the hardscape—it was about shifting perceptions of how planting design can transform urban spaces.