Cultural Expansion

A bold vision for expanding the Nation’s cultural core by reinvigorating Southwest DC

The Iconic National Mall

The National Mall in Washington, D.C. is one of the most exceptional civic spaces in the District and country at large. It is America’s most-visited national park, known for its stunning axial views of the Capitol building, Washington Monument, and Lincoln Memorial, for its lush green lawns and gravel paths bustling with activity, and for the iconic museums that flank its sides.

Evolution from 1930’s - 2020’s

Over the past century, the Smithsonian Institution has opened a dozen museums and galleries in Washington, bringing its grand total to 20, with 11 of those on the Mall itself. As we look toward the next century, we should anticipate the cultural building program of Washington to grow with the same ferocity as the previous century.

The National Reserve Boundary - Proposed Sites Highlighted in Red

In 2020, Congress passed legislation establishing two new Smithsonian museums - the Museum of the American Latinos and the American Women’s History Museum. The Smithsonian Institute recently conducted its own search to identify its preferred sites for these museums, and published its findings in October of 2022. The Smithsonian Institute, and the interest groups they represent in their efforts to manifest these two museums, showed a clear preference for sites on or immediately adjacent to the Mall.

The question remains, however, of how to accommodate additional growth given that the National Mall was declared a “completed work of civic art” and the Reserve area, shown here in red, was officially closed to new development in 2003 under the Commemorative Works Act, with a single exception made for the African American History museum. Continuing to build in the Reserve would also diminish the formal logic of the National Mall as laid out by the L’Enfant and McMillan plans respectively. It is clear that continuing to claim area in the Reserve is not a sustainable approach.

The rate of cultural growth in Washington needs an imminent plan for the future.

The Devastating Effects of the Urban Renewal 1951 - 1964

Urban Renewal destroyed the fabric of the L’Enfant Plan in Southwest DC, displacing some 4,500 families from their homes, the vast majority of which were black Americans, and demolished 95% of existing structures. A once vibrant neighborhood, turned into a concrete wasteland.

The urban fabric of Southwest has been critically disturbed by the freeways. 14 lanes of high speed traffic divide the waterfront from the city. The sweep of the 12th Street expressway further divides the pedestrian experience and greatly diminishes the area of buildable land.

Southwest DC is ripe with opportunity for development. A connection between the Wharf and the National Mall could generate significant value.

Our team has developed two schemes that reimagine Southwest DC, providing a much needed connection between two major DC attractions.

Existing

Tabled Scheme

Tunneled Scheme

The Banneker Stair Proposal

Decking over existing infrastructure

The Cultural Expansion Plan

Burying the infrastructure to truly reconnect SW

Learn About the Team →