designs revealed for 11th street bridge park in washington DC

shortlist revealed for 11th street bridge park in washington DC
image © OLIN/OMA

a group of four competing design teams have submitted their envisioned proposals for the future 11th street bridge park, which will span across the anacostia river in washington DC. following the selection of six shortlisted collaborations in may 2014, four schemes currently remain by:

OLIN / OMA

balmori associates / cooper, robertson & partners

stoss landscape urbanism / höweler + yoon architecture

wallace roberts & todd / NEXT architects / magnusson klemencic associates

the mixed-use recreation and infrastructural project is intended to not only link two disparate sides of the river, but also serve as an engaging point in the city. to achieve this, the development will include an environmental education center, performance spaces, public art related to the region, inclusive play areas, urban agriculture, and kayak / canoe launches. to develop a community-based program, nearly 200 meetings were held with the local residents, business, and government. to finalize the six month competition process, the winner will be announced in october. to provide input to the jury on your preferred design, complete the survey created by the bridge park organization.

image © OLIN/OMA

the collaborative pair of OLIN / OMA has proposed a landscape identified by two inclined planes, which host park space with covered program beneath. this mixture of activity will serve as, ‘a new neighborhood park, an after-hours destination for the nearby work force, a retreat for residents and a territory for tourists to explore.’

image © balmori associates / cooper, robertson & partners

team balmori associates / cooper, robertson & partners’s submission includes a distinguishing sine-wave-like structure, which supports an elliptical deck suspended over the river. the scheme seeks to be, ‘inclusive, memorable, and symbolic,’ while functioning as a social place for community gathering.

image © balmori associates / cooper, robertson & partners

described conceptually and functionally as ‘the crossing’, the proposal by stoss landscape urbanism / höweler + yoon architecture places enclosed program beneath grassy roofs. the design team describes it as a place that, ‘establishes new connections across and to the anacostia river and to the burgeoning and socially / culturally rich neighborhoods along its banks.’

image © stoss landscape urbanism / höweler + yoon architecture

with similar intentions of creating a place for social activity which supports community events, the design team of wallace roberts & todd / NEXT architects / magnusson klemencic associates has envisioned ‘anacostia landing’ with a continuous steel-frame canopy flowing above the bridge. ‘the structure serves to provide shade, funnel prevailing breezes, support greenery and solar panels, frame public art, and create a setting for gatherings, frolic, and play.’