DUPONT PLAZA
Creating An Archipelago of Social Spaces

Located on the south edge of Dupont Circle, the site consists of a semi-circular traffic island that on one side is bounded by the Connecticut Avenue Underpass, and on the other by a single-lane turnaround. With the pedestrian crossing relegated to yet another piece of oddly shaped concrete island further north, the site is seldom occupied except for two obsolete bike-storage lockers. The piece-meal and confusing traffic flow continues around Dupont Circle. As a result, while the Circle itself is a beloved and well-used public space, inefficient traffic flow around the periphery obstructs access to the park in Dupont Circle.

We believe this under-utilized piece of residual space, with its location on the Connecticut Avenue axis, has the potential to become the main pedestrian gateway into Dupont Circle. We propose to consolidate three adjacent concrete islands into a vital public space on which a variety of uses can occur, thereby strengthening pedestrian approaches to the Circle.

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Aerial Photo: Existing Site

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Photo: Existing Site

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Configuration: Light Field

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Rendered View: Light Field

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Configuration: Light Wall

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Rendered View: Light Wall