Hasta La Ideas

Back in December, we knew we were right to get excited by the news that St. Louis and the National Park Service had decided to finally make the area around the city’s most iconic symbol, Eeero Saarinen‘s Gateway Arch, more accessible and appealing. We got another hint of good things to come when the Framing a Modern Masterpiece project announced its all-star jury back in mid-January. But for all our enthusiasm, we had no idea how incredible the shortlist would be once said jury had dug through all the entries. Thanks to our good pal Kristin Richards, we were pointed to the list of nine teams who made the cut (PDF) and it’s chock full of architecture supergroups. You’ve got your HOKs, your Steven Holls, your Foster + Partners, and your Diller Scofidio + Renfros. And that’s just a couple of names from the groups selected for this first shortlist. The next trimming happens in April, with a final pick made in late September. We’re hoping that, in the interim, they’ll release a few plans and sketches. But whatever happens, this is already turning out great and we’re plenty pleased for St. Louis (and mildly jealous).

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