Gallery: An Elevated Park That Makes NYC's High Line Look Tiny
Illustration: OMA + OLIN0102-Anacostia Crossing-CAPITOL HILL VIEW SUMMER-Copyright OMA-Olin
OMA + OLIN have been announced as the chosen architects for Washington DC's new 11st Street Bridge Park project.
Illustration: OMA + OLIN0220-Anacostia Crossing-PICNIC GARDEN-Copyright OMA-Olin
The two firm's joint proposal beat out ideas from three other teams.
Illustration: OMA + OLIN0323-Anacostia Crossing-ANACOSTIA PARK SPRING-Copyright OMA-Olin
Like other elevated parks, the 11th Street Bridge Park project will be built on out-of-use infrastructure; in this case it’s an aging freeway that stretches over the Anacostia River.
Illustration: OMA + OLIN0406-Anacostia Crossing-CAPITOL HILL VIEW WINTER-Copyright OMA-Olin
The bridge connects two very different neighborhoods—the more affluent, developed Navy Yards on one side, and the more neglected Anacostia on the other. Here, what the bridge might look like during the winter months.
Illustration: OMA + OLIN0518-Anacostia Crossing-AMPHITEATRE-Copyright OMA-Olin
OMA + OLIN's intention is to make the 11th Street Bridge Park a community hub, rather than a pedestrian thoroughfare.
Illustration: OMA + OLIN0611-Anacostia Crossing-PROGRAM-Copyright OMA-Olin
To do that, OMA + OLIN designed “spaces that are really hardwired into the bridge.”
Illustration: OMA + OLIN0725-Anacostia Crossing-NAVY YARD WALK-Copyright OMA-Olin
Permanent spaces are possible because the two teams fashioned an X-shaped structure that’s cantilevered up in the center to allow boats passage.
Illustration: OMA + OLIN0815-Anacostia Crossing-ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER-Copyright OMA-Olin
This creates carved out spaces, and rooftops, allowing for cafes...
Illustration: OMA + OLIN0919-Anacostia Crossing-AMPHITEATRE2-Copyright OMA-Olin
...and performance centers.
Illustration: OMA + OLIN1006-Anacostia Crossing-DC ICONS-Copyright OMA-Olin
OMA + OLIN imagine that X-shape joining the rest of the capitol's landmarks.
Illustration: OMA + OLIN1121-Anacostia Crossing-RAIN GARDENS-Copyright OMA-Olin
The Anacostia River is horribly polluted, so environmental education plays a big role in the design. Waterfalls on both ends of the bridge will demonstrate how plants naturally clean water.
Illustration: OMA + OLIN1224-Anacostia Crossing-EVENING RIVER VIEW-Copyright OMA-Olin
The goal is to have a river that Washington DC's residents can swim and fish in by 2025.
