Located at the base of the iconic Gateway Arch designed by Eero Saarinen, is the majestic underground Gateway Arch museum. The international competition, The City + The Arch + The River 2015, was won by Cooper Robertson along with  James Carpenter Design Associates and Trivers Association. The winning design looked to expand and renovate the underground museum, which needed more visibility and a contemporary makeover.

The expansion of the Gateway Arch museum adds an area of 47,000 square feet to the west of the current museum, creating a space for new museum area and around 100,000 square feet of reconfigured galleries, public amenities, and educational facilities. The $380 million projects are taking over a land that was previously occupied by the Museum of Westward Expansion. An exterior plaza that slightly slopes towards the museum integrates with ramps that lead the way inside.  The interior spaces have been demolished and reconfigured to encompass new galleries, public amenities, and staff offices. However, the original architectural elements are preserved with their distinctive character and are highlighted with the help of lighting and other interior interventions. Photography: Nic Lehoux
The designers have added a new lobby to the museum, which doubles up as a visitor center. They have also designed a Great Hall with elements that introduce the visitors to the various themes in the gallery. The museum’s design is integrated into the surrounding National Reg...