Mercy St. Louis St. John’s Plaza

Centrally located within the campus of Mercy Hospital in St. Louis, St. John’s Plaza memorializes and celebrates the history and mission of the hospital’s patron saint, as well as Catherine McAuley who founded the Sisters of Mercy in 1831. In order to bring to life the hospital’s community and culture, SWT Design worked closely with Mercy to create a space that would celebrate a patient’s journey through the healing process and those contributions of hospital staff.

Situated on top of structure, St. John’s Plaza is enclosed between the hospital’s various buildings, creating a quiet space within the campus where patients and staff can retreat for contemplation and reflection. On the western edge of the plaza’s intricately designed water feature stands a fountain memorial to Catherine McAuley whose mission was to help children. Opposite, the eastern edge features a reflecting water table and donor recognition wall memorializing her life’s journey and the mission of Mercy.

Overall, the plaza’s design allows for program flexibility; movie nights, presentations and galas are all potential uses for the western side of the space. More passive opportunities such as resting, reading, gathering and relaxing are more suitable at the eastern reflecting water table. St. John’s Plaza will always serve as a built reminder to the values of Mercy Hospital and its commitment to human health and well-being.