Landscape Architecture
University of Missouri
Lowry Mall
Columbia, Missouri
April 1985

Client: University of Missouri
Landscape Architect: Austin Tao & Associates, Inc.
Design Team: Austin Tao, ASLA; Rick Kacenski, ASLA
Planning Consultants: CHNMB Associates
Area: 53,600 sq ft
Total Cost: $517,800
Completion Date: October, 1984

Lowry Mall is the central gathering and pedestrian plaza situated at the heart 
of the University of Missouri-Columbia campus. The mall was built over an 
existing block-long street. The campus administration sought to change this 
street into s dynamic pedestrian mal befitting the center of campus. 

At the initial planning stage, the landscape architects conducted a series of 
four workshops on campus. Approximately 45 participants represented faculty and 
student groups, university officials, city departments and owners of adjacent 
property. The workshops developed and reviewed concepts addressing the 
university’s needs. The workshops were also a means of involving the interested 
groups on campus.

Lowry Mall is located between the Student Union and the white limestone Science 
campus to the east and the Administration Building and the red brick engineering 
campus to the west. The materials for the project were chosen to symbolize the 
mall as a transition and unifying space, tying together the “red” and “white” 
campuses. The mall is paved in red brick while the walls, curbs, steps and 
accent elements are sandblasted concrete.

The mall consists of a large central gathering area with more intimate terrace 
areas adjoining it. The edges are defined by low walls that provide ample 
informal setting. A combination of ramps and steps are used for grade changes, 
providing barrier-free access throughout the mall, while delineating the level 
changes and terraces. The mall contains stag areas for outdoor performances, 
planting areas, sculpture and a fountain. 

The mall was designed to be built in four distinct phases over a four-year 
period to meet the university’s budget program and minimize disruption of the 
normal use of the area. Most of the construction occurred during summer 
sessions. Each phase of the mall was designed to function with in its partially 
completed setting, as well as become a unified statement upon full completion. 
It has become the outdoor hub of the campus.