Ayers Saint Gross has unveiled the Jack C. Taylor Visitor Center at the Missouri Botanical Garden, the oldest botanical garden in continuous operation in the United States. This center is not only a gateway for over a million visitors each year but also a hub for global plant science research, deeply rooted in the Garden’s rich history and diverse plant collection.
In collaboration with Michael Vergason Landscape Architects (MVLA), the Visitor Center features a striking arrival sequence designed for accessibility. The center includes a North Garden and a World Woodland Garden, which together function as a living library housing over 46,000 plants, including more than 300 species, many of which are endangered. This new addition integrates seamlessly into the Garden’s layout, creating a series of thresholds that gradually unveil its beauty. Upon entering, visitors traverse a historical stone wall leading into the North Garden, crafted from durable materials such as granite, bronze, and locally sourced limestone.
The building's architecture combines a solid north façade with a transparent south façade, echoing traditional greenhouse design. Inside, natural light floods the lobby, which is oriented along garden paths and fountains, instilling an immediate connection to the surrounding landscape. A striking lantern feature, suspended from the ceiling, is designed with a custom scrim that incorporates a pattern inspired by tree canopies, filtering soft, dappled light into the lobby and evoking the experience of entering a forest clearing. At night, this lantern casts a warm glow, welcoming visitors and the local community.
Biophilic design elements are integrated throughout the Visitor Center, including custom terrazzo flooring that reflects the local landscape, featuring inlays of river rock and accents inspired by Missouri woodlands. The ticketing and visitor engagement desks echo the shapes of rounded stones, while pendant lights evoke images of fireflies, stars, and raindrops. Walls separating the dining areas and café showcase pressed botanical specimens from the Garden’s collection, and overhead lighting mimics the forms of blooming flora. The Sassafras Restaurant and Café, created in collaboration with St. Louis-based firm Tao + Lee, includes a custom bench and community table made from the trunk of a Shumard Oak Tree previously part of the Garden’s living collection.
The Center’s transparent south façade invites guests to immerse themselves under an 80-panel scrim with a pattern inspired by the Garden’s ginkgo trees. The design thoughtfully incorporates elements from nature, enhancing the visitor experience. The 94,000-square-foot facility, which has achieved LEED Gold certification, features an event center, a flexible auditorium, classrooms, a guest shop, and a café.
Surrounding the Center, the World Woodland Garden emphasizes plant diversity and visual coherence, providing clear orientation for visitors. Together, the new gardens serve as living libraries, showcasing over 46,000 plants from more than 300 species worldwide, including many endangered varieties. They also enhance the Garden’s outdoor programming capabilities, accommodating events such as weddings and educational activities.
Recently, the Jack C. Taylor Visitor Center received an Honor Award for Institutional Architecture from the American Institute of Architects (AIA), marking it as one of the highest accolades in its category.
