Design Thesis (required for the submission):

​

Dupontscapes looks at the past of the Dupont Circle as a gathering space and proposes to enhance and reimagine the circle as an inclusive public space to work and play. The concept of the picnic as a peaceful form of collective discussion and gathering serves as our inspiration for designing a wide range of public landscapes that will bring the locals back to the circle. 
 

Our architecture proposal challenges the existing spatial organization of Dupont circle by superimposing a new spatial arrangement logic that is inspired by both the works of Isamu Noguchi and the flexible modular grid system of No-Stop City by Archizoom. The proposal is centred around the idea of “picnic” or “picnicking”, a French originated word and an activity popularised after the French Revolution. With no particular host, the gathering can vary from an intimate occasion of two to a more social scenario of dozens of people, in which all members bring food and talk freely in a scenic surrounding. 
 

Following the spatial logic of picnic, we envision a landscape that is tightly interwoven with the existing urban fabric of Dupont circle. It is achieved by establishing a grid system which anchors on key existing features including trees, drinking fountains, lampposts and the central fountain. Designed furnitures will turn existing trees into ‘Hubs’, providing facilities and charging stations for working in nature. Treated as part of the landscape, each type of furniture creates a different programmatic use by establishing datums. Designed as a flexible landscape that can transform according to public need, a network of rails on the floor will establish an urban furniture system with movable benches, stools and bins. The furniture can be pulled along the rails to create different scales of gathering, from a one-to-one meeting to a TED talk. The sense of movement would be enhanced at night when the network is illuminated to guide the visitors. In addition, the grid also creates a camouflage-like landscape pattern with hard surfaces, grassland and bushes, raised and sunken landforms, which will become natural “stages” for acts of gathering.
 

Following the overarching principle of picnic, the micro part of the proposal creates landforms that split into a multitude of programmes: a podium for public speaking, a shared solid line for social interaction, a series of planted seatings that create tables with charging stations for outside working. The gallery entrance for Dupont underground on one end emerges above as a part of the landscape, and surprising visitors on the other end with a glowing entrance, serving as a focal point of the proposal. The Landscape forms are strategically planted with vegetation to create a continuous green space connecting the 19th Street NW to the Dupont Circle. The landscape is connected together by ground LED strips that guide the visitors, creating a warm and welcoming evening environment. Entrance is lit up by an LED panel integrated into the ceiling that will be able to project videos and images of upcoming shows, as well as lit up the space during the night.