Gateway Arch

Gateway Arch

St. Louis, Missouri

Built as a monument to westward expansion and constructed between 1963 and 1965, the Gateway Arch at Saint, Louis, Missouri, is one of the most-recognizable landmarks in the nation if not the world. The arch was designed by master architect Eero Saarinen in the shape of an inverted catenary curve and has a tapering triangular cross section. Since the Arch was completed, faint discoloration and streaking have developed on the exterior stainless steel skin of the monument. The interior carbon steel skin is also exhibiting rust at a number of locations. The National Park Service commissioned Bahr Vermeer Haecker Architects and Wiss Janney Elstner to conduct a two-part investigation whose goal is determine the factors responsible for the deterioration of the steel skins and to develop treatment recommendations for the long-term preservation of the monument. The first phase of the investigation involved field reconnaissance surveys of the exterior and interior skis of the monument to inventory the corrosion and existing conditions and to make recommendations for additional analysis and testing. The findings were summarized in a report that was presented to the National Park Service in early 2006. Part II of the study, will involve close proximity observation along with analysis and testing of corrosion samples to help determine the proper course of action to remediate the conditions.