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Peter Newton, CSBA, PMP

Peter Newton, CSBA, PMP

Phoenix, AZ, US

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The Monsanto Center at the Missouri Botanical Gardens

Pathbreaking sustainable design predates LEED

The Monsanto Center houses a world-class herbarium collection (containing 5 million plant specimens), library, offices, and laboratories. Christner took the lead on the multi-disciplinary design team in developing sustainable design criteria for the site development and landscaping, building envelope, operational systems, building materials, and interior finishes. Completed in 1998, the Monsanto Center predates the sustainable criteria established by the U.S. Green Building Council and serves as a seminal example of environmentally responsive design.

Given the dual needs for research and preservation of the collections, Christner designed the building in two distinct vertical zones, with separate thermal and environmental controls. Research and office areas are on the south. Large windows admit light that is then reflected off the angled ceiling to reduce electric light use. The collections area (heavily insulated and without windows) is on the north. Rigorous environmental demands require storage at 62 to 65 degrees and relative humidity at 45 percent. Vestibules buffer heat and moisture migration from adjoining office space.

Size: 78,000 sf
Status: Completed 1998
Associate Architect: Louis R. Saur & Associates
Sustainability Consultant: The Croxton Collaborative
LEED Silver Certified, Existing Buildings

 
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Status: Built
Location: Saint Louis, MO, US
My Role: Architectural Intern

 
Herbarium Cart I designed
Herbarium Cart I designed
Solar Baffles
Solar Baffles
Base Isolator diagram
Base Isolator diagram
Detail Cross Section
Detail Cross Section
Bike Rack
Bike Rack
Site Plan
Site Plan
Building Cross Section
Building Cross Section
Herbarium Lab
Herbarium Lab
Herbarium Lab
Herbarium Lab
Library
Library
Reading area
Reading area
Rare book room
Rare book room
Rare book room carpet
Rare book room carpet
High Density Storage in the Library
High Density Storage in the Library
Work Room
Work Room
Main Conference Room
Main Conference Room
South Elevation
South Elevation
Corner garden
Corner garden
Main Lobby
Main Lobby
Lehman Building Siesmic retrofit
Lehman Building Siesmic retrofit
Lehman Building Siesmic Retrofit.
Lehman Building Siesmic Retrofit.
Schoenberg-Admin building Space plan
Schoenberg-Admin building Space plan
Banner Iron Building Facility Assessment
Banner Iron Building Facility Assessment
Creative Lighting Building Facility Assessment
Creative Lighting Building Facility Assessment
Temperate House Curtain Wall Leaks Investigation
Temperate House Curtain Wall Leaks Investigation
Temperate House Leakage Investigation
Temperate House Leakage Investigation