Year: 2022
Category: Cultural Architecture
Skills: revit, Twinmotion, Photoshop
Tasked with the problem of designing a space that fosters collective memory and unity in an incredibly divided society, we acknowledge not only a disunity in our society, but also an immense lack of understanding. We are a society operating in darkness. Our project is a proposal for Meridian Hill Park, in Washington, DC, a place rich in culture and history. In our initial research of several texts, we came across this word “hyphainein” which is used by Sarah Robinson in her work “Architecture is a Verb.” The word has two meanings, one literal “to weave” and a metaphorical meaning, “to bring to light.” This word was all-encompassing in what we intended to do through our landscape and architectural proposal; we want to both weave together diverse communities, and also illuminate their struggles, their histories, and their concerns in an effort to create a better understanding amongst and across different groups of people. This goal we felt would be best accomplished through the use of storytelling; to build a phenomenal space is to memorialize a necessary story. We believe storytelling is a way to greater understand and empathize with one another with the goal of reconnecting society. We even took into account a non-profit organization, entitled StoryCorps, in designing our proposal for the site. We are proposing a space for them to grow their non-profit and oversee the events and programs that take place in the park. StoryCorps is notable for its program One Small Step; One Small Step is an effort to remind the country of the humanity in all of us, even those with whom we disagree. It is an initiative to bridge political divides, one conversation at a time through the recording of a conversation between two people with opposing political views. With this in mind, we began our design process, one that integrates spaces for storytelling throughout the entirety of the site in both architectural and landscape formations. Our design proposal includes making the entire park accessible for all people through the use of two ramps that weave throughout the park and bring visitors on a journey through the past and present and reframing the existing monuments to become a catalyst for storytelling. How can we propose to unite a community when those with disabilities are excluded by the very architecture we create? This is why we chose to use paths and ramps that connect all four corners of the site and lead occupants on a journey through the past and present.
These architectural spaces and landscapes are all connected through the use of those ramps in the zenith space, pictured here. Not only is this the epitome of empowerment, but it also is at the center of our site and acts as the beacon or hub for activity.
Starting at the path of the past you begin with Serenity, a monument to peace and healing. You then travel underground, path historical murals and into this courtyard zenith space. From here, if you continue on the Path of the Past, it weaves you to Dante, who we have reframed from the enlightener or speaker to the listener in this outdoor amphitheater space. Then, we move to President Buchanan, which we consider a monument of familial love given it was donated by his niece upon her death. We’ve turned him around and built a glass pavilion on his back, which would cater to children’s events like puppet shows, poetry readings, and performances. Because these weaving paths are central to our concept, the buildings, pavilions, and monument structures form around and are delineated by them. These two paths cross one another on the central axis of the site which aligns with Joan, at the zenith point.
The perspective section helps you get a better understanding of the two buildings which flank the zenith space and how while they are seemingly separate, are actually united underground by the react space, arguably one of the most important parts of the program. This space is where YOU get to speak.
In conclusion, Meridian Hill is first and foremost, a park. It is used as such, near constantly. People will come to walk these paths and trails we propose just as they do now; it's a matter of guiding them to spaces of interaction while on their daily walks with pets and evening strolls with friends. Our design proposal is a choreographed storytelling experience. By undergoing the same experiences, visitors will likely be more empathetic. Guiding them through storytelling spaces is essential to invoke the same ability in them, as well as their ability to listen and to learn. We see storytelling as a way to bring to light new narratives and weave together a community, especially one with as rich and diverse culture and history as Meridian Hill Park. Through our intentional reframing of the existing monuments of Meridian Hill Park, they become a catalyst for spaces of amplification; the amplification of voices, stories, and a communal identity amidst a divided society.
Katherine Kaderabek
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