Awards

2009 Awards : Merit Award - Design Category

United Sates Department of Transportation Headquarters

Lee + Papa Associates, Inc

The United Stated Department of Transportation Headquarters was a catalyst for development in South East Washington DC, covering two city blocks of the Navy Yard. The landscape architects lead in forming the public space through design choices, designing on structure, and considering larger city planning issues to establish the precedence for future development in the area.The site design offers interest, provides ample sidewalk and greenspace, and provides first flush stormwater catchment. Additional storm water benefit is attained via an extensive green roof on both buildings. A large brick plaza offers space flexibility promoting use for festivals, farmers markets, an outdoor movie series, and serves gameday activities at Nationals Ballpark. The plaza is activated daily by a large double-sided water feature. The design also reopened Third Street once again providing access to the Anacostia River. An educational/art component was integrated into the site allowing visitors to learn about the history of U.S. transportation. Physical perimeter security was integrated to the site with the use of varying bollard sleeves and site walls to help minimize the visual impact.The US DOT Headquarters is a site that serves the staff, and the community providing a high quality urban environment to this Southeast neighborhood.

Jury Comments:

A very good public project;
Liked the design of the spaces - from the ground level and from the air, i.e. the upper floor perspectives; a very artful solution;
well done photography - captured the depth of design applications throughout the site.