Washington University in St. Louis Campus Tours

Date: August 3rd 

Time: Thursday 

Location: Washington University Main Campus and Washington University Medical School 

Details: Attendees have the choice to walk the campuses of Washington University or Washington University Medical School by attending one of the offered tour options.  Tour selection is included in your conference registration fee and signup is required during registration.  Group bus transportation is provided to Washington University main campus and those who select the Washington Medical School will walk a short distance from the hotel. Space is limited.

Tour #1:  Landscape 

Come stroll through Washington University’s diverse and beautiful landscapes with our Arboretum Curator. You will see the recent installation of our East End landscape which actually over the parking garage with a sunken garden. Take a glimpse at some of our level two arboretum trees as you walk through the iconic Brooking’s Quad. You will see all types of diverse landscapes including native and sustainable themes. We have over two hundred diverse tree species and thousands of perennials on campus for you to enjoy. 

Tour #2: Architecture Tour

Tour will make a circuit on the upper portion of the Danforth Campus - highlights including the Sumers Rec Center, Knight/Bauer Hall, McMillan Hall, the site of the A&S building, Olin Library, Brookings Quad, Hillman Hall - as well as a broad look at work recently completed east of Brookings. The tour can end in Tisch Park, adjacent to Parkside Cafe for those interested in refreshments.

Tour #3: Campus Sustainability Tour

Join staff from the Office of Sustainability for a tour of innovative and unique sustainability features throughout WashU’s Danforth Campus. The tour starts with the new grand entrance, the award-winning East End Transformation. Tour participants can learn about off-the-beaten path sustainability features, like the living wall in Weil Hall or the nurse log in the sunken garden, while gaining a better understanding of the overarching principles that guided the planning, design, and construction of the project. After an extensive tour of the unique east end features, the tour meanders through main campus, exploring native landscape gardens, mixed use paths, and older buildings that have been retrofitted for energy savings, as well as newer projects, like the expanded bike and pedestrian bridge that provides access to the neighborhoods and business district north of campus.

Tour #4: Washington University in St. Louis Medical School Tour 

This tour will cover the Medical School transition from designing cellular labs to a more open lab based concept across the years. Washington University School of Medicine has experienced great physical changes for several years and will continue this trend into the future. The guide will highlight how the Operations and Facilities Management Department keeps the “whole” in mind as the campus grows, focusing through intense cooperative planning on connecting people to better collaborate in the areas of research, healthcare, and education. This team stays current with the latest sustainability initiatives and trends in the construction industry to help manage projects efficiently and effectively.

Tour #5: Project Tour - East End Transformation 

Comprehensive reimagining and redevelopment of the eastern end of Washington University’s Danforth Campus, including a new prime ceremonial campus entrance which promotes better connections to the City of St. Louis’ Forest Park. Existing surface parking was relocated to a new underground parking facility, and an existing cross street was removed to create a substantial new campus greenspace and promote safer pedestrian and bike use. The project included two new buildings for the McKelvey School of Engineering, a new Architecture building for the Sam Fox School, an addition to the university’s art museum, and two new central glass pavilions, housing the university’s undergraduate Admissions welcome center and a new food service hub.

Bus transportation will be provided to and from tours on the main campus of Washington University.  Attendees joining the Washington University Medical School Tour will take a short walk as group from the hotel to campus.