Icon of Innovation

The design of Icon of Innovation utilizes historical materials alongside innovative design techniques to support the fabrication and advancement of steel products within its walls. Drawing inspiration from Victorian era hoop skirts, which coincided with St. Louis’s industrial heyday, the project initially took the form of a singular barrel vault with a uniform interior height. Through successive iterations, however, site conditions, particularly solar orientation, revealed that this approach created excessively dark interior spaces.

In response, the hoop system was broken into segmented forms. This shift allowed natural light to penetrate the public areas while simultaneously establishing clear volumetric distinctions between public and industrial zones. Similar to the draping of fabric in bustle and hoop crinolines, the exterior shell develops into a pleated form that introduces varied ceiling heights and spatial rhythm. These shifts not only improve daylighting but also reinforce programmatic separation across the building.

Large format curtain systems are employed to further enhance transparency and light penetration within guest spaces. When used internally, these systems also function as protective barriers, allowing visitors to observe fabrication processes safely while maintaining visual connection to industrial activity. Together, these strategies merge historical reference, material performance, and spatial clarity into a cohesive architectural expression.