Missouri Botanical Garden
Jack C. Taylor Visitor Center

A bold new gateway to one of the world’s leading botanical institutions, the Jack C. Taylor Visitor Center sets the tone for a world-class experience rooted in nature, innovation, and reflection. At 59,100 square feet, the new $92 million facility welcomes more than one million annual guests with gardens, event spaces, dining, and immersive design elements that blur the line between indoor and outdoor.

KPFF supported this transformational project with full structural engineering for the one-story, slab-on-grade building. Highlights include the iconic glass-roofed lobby, flexible exhibit and auditorium spaces, and the state-of-the-art Sassafras Café and Bayer Event Center. From early collaboration with the architect to final detailing, KPFF ensured every element – from structural support for the building’s signature lantern feature to integration with surrounding landscapes – contributed to the Garden’s vision of biophilic design and long-term resilience.

A celebration of light, plant life, and Missouri’s natural heritage, the new visitor center is not just an entry point, it’s an experience all its own.