The distinctive honeycomb Lamella roof is a fixture of Lutheran South’s campus.
Opened in 1958, the two diagonal steel arches filled with honeycomb in all four sections create a tall ceiling, hosting basketball and other sports since the school’s opening.
Builders attempted to build something more appealing than the gyms of the day, said Jacob Reis, assistant athletic director of the Lancers.
Contracts for construction of the entire school totaled $906,760, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported on Aug. 31, 1958.
The superstructure was also supposed to be strong enough to survive a tornado.
“The ceiling was covered with materials that would not cause water to condense from the heat and moisture of spectators,” Reis said via email. “The design was unique and utilitarian.”
Since its opening flooring, sound and lighting have been upgraded, but the ceiling has remained the same.
