OMA + OLIN to bridge washington DC with elevated park

after a seven-month nationwide competition, it has been announced that OMA + OLIN have been selected as the design team for washington D.C.’s first elevated park. traversing the anacostia river, the design will transform a freeway bridge into a vibrant civic space, not only linking the two sides of the river, but also serving as an engaging point of reference within the city. the mixed-use development will include an environmental education center, performance spaces, public art related to the region, inclusive play areas, urban agriculture and kayak/canoe launches.

the bridge traverses the city’s anacostia river
image © OMA / luxigon (also main image)

‘the OMA + OLIN concept is simply brilliant in the way they captured ideas we heard from residents on both sides of the river and from across the city‘, said 11th street bridge park director scott kratz. ‘these thoughtful designers – some of the best architects and landscape architects in the world – have taken community driven ideas and created a compelling new space that will connect two historically divided parts of the city while adding a new shape to the capital’s iconic monuments’.

the mixed-use recreation project serves as an engaging and dynamic point of reference
image © OMA / luxigon

‘our design creates a literal intersection and a dynamic, multi-layered amenity for both sides of the river,’ commented OMA partner-in-charge jason long. ‘it simultaneously functions as a gateway to both sides of the river, a lookout point with expansive views, a canopy that can shelter programs and a public plaza where the two paths meet. the resulting form of the bridge creates an iconic encounter, an ‘X’ instantly recognizable within the capital’s tradition of civic spaces.‘

an outdoor amphitheater at the heart of the design
image © OMA

hallie boyce, OLIN‘s partner added, ‘the 11th street bridge park project is an incredible opportunity to contribute to the civic fabric of washington, D.C. through the design of an iconic, multi-functional landscape which promotes the health of the river and its adjacent communities acting as a model both nationally and globally.’

a waterfall helps set the mood for contemplation and relaxation
image © OMA

‘the 11th street bridge project is a special precinct in the structure of the city‘, said competition juror harry g. robinson III, FAIA, professor of urban design and dean emeritus, howard university. ‘it is at once both a crossing and place. in its purest role it is a hyphen that connects and celebrates the physical and cultural histories of two historic and vibrant anacostia shoreline communities, while establishing a civic expression of democracy’.

other areas of the scheme are arranged around the cascading water
image © OMA