The institution also aims to generate interest in and appreciation of the cultural heritage of the state and its people through education and outreach. The Center also houses a significant collection of regional artworks and exhibits that document the westward expansion of the US. The society’s administrative centre is also housed in the new build, which also contains flexible public spaces for events. In light of the building’s significance and mission, the contractors placed a great deal of emphasis on using typical regional materials while planning and implementing the new build. The final design was created through a collaboration between the Gould Evans architecture firm from Kansas City and Barker Nestor Architecture & Design from Chicago. The façade provides a characteristic look and is made out of two types of limestone: The cream-toned Aux Vases Buff from Missouri, which makes up 80 percent of the exterior, and the grey Pewter Mist. The installation of the natural stone panels presented the contractors with a tremendous challenge. 

Various façade panels were attached to the substructure with concealed undercut anchors. The reverse side of each panel was pre-drilled with an undercut drill in order to accommodate the hanger and the expanding bolt anchor. “Due to our proven and close cooperation, the companies tasked with executing the façade, Heitkamp Masonry and Cladding Corp (ECO Cladding), opted for our undercut anchors during this project”, said Steven-Henrik Maier, Market Manager fischer façade systems. “Around 30,000 quantities of our Zykon panel anchor FZP II were used in the FZP II 13x26 M8/SO/12 AL variant. We also tested the stone panels in the bearing and against the bearing so that all the crucial information on the installation situation would be available to us”. 

The FZP II Zykon panel anchors provide a form-fit installation without expansion pressure in the conical undercut drill holes. Their reverse-mounted installation enables fastenings in the 1/5 point of the façade panel. “This technology achieves significantly lower slab bending moments and higher load-bearing capacities”, says Steven-Henrik Maier. “Our undercut technology also offers optical advantages. Our Zykon panel anchor FZP II allows the panel fastenings to be concealed so that they are not visible when viewed from the exterior, thereby providing a harmonious look. 

Completed in 2019, the Center for Missouri Studies constitutes an impressive example of pioneering architecture with regional references. The complex is also in step with the times in terms of energy efficiency and sustainability, as evidenced by its Gold Status Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certificate issued by the US Green Building Council (USGBC).