President's Park South
President’s Park South Promenade and the renewal of the Ellipse unify two goals that have in recent years emerged in conflict: on the one hand, the provision of unfailing security for the Executive branch of government; and on the other, an inspired visitor experience of the President’s historic home and office.
Reed Hilderbrand’s design for the President’s Park South Promenade and the renewal of the Ellipse reunites two essential parts of Washington’s and L’Enfant’s original Reservation No. 1—the Ellipse and the South Lawn of the White House—which have long been separated by traffic and defensive barriers. The South Promenade clarifies the most effective and proven security strategies while creating a pedestrian experience that is open, orderly, flexibly managed, and spatially unique. The proposal extends the continuum of design on the site into the 21st century through a careful, limited intervention that is respectful of history and employs ecological strategies at the forefront of the profession.
Reed Hilderbrand was a finalist for the National Capital Planning Commission’s 2011 President’s Park South Design Competition, the final competition documents are available online.
Location
Washington, District of Columbia
Dates
2011-2011
Size
52 acres
Leadership
Team
