How Would You Redesign the National Mall?
Being conservative of temperament--especially when it comes to architecture and national monuments--my first question about these plans to redesign the National Mall is, "Exactly why is this necessary?" This article in Smithsonian takes it as a given that it is; perhaps a member of Ricochet can tell me why.
Last September, the Trust for the National Mall, a nonprofit devoted to improving the park, launched a National Mall Design Competition. Architects from around the country submitted their portfolios, and by mid-December, a jury of experts invited ten design teams to re-imagine three “dead zones”: Union Square, in front of the Capitol; the grounds just south of the Washington Monument; and Constitution Gardens, just east of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The trust released the visions for the Mall this week.
With amphitheaters and dramatic fountains, skating rinks and lush gardens, the proposals, on display through April 15 at the National Museum of American History and the Smithsonian Castle, provide a hopeful glimpse into the National Mall’s future.
The jury will announce the winning design for each site on May 3. Since Union Square has fallen under the auspices of the Architect of the Capitol, the prevailing design for it will be sent to Congress to consider. The trust hopes to move forward on a redesign of either the Washington Monument grounds or Constitution Gardens by 2016.
Have a look through the slideshow. Which ones do you like?
I reject this as an outrage and a horror:
But this looks lovely to me:
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Re: How Would You Redesign the National Mall?
Jimmy Carter: I want to see aerials of the final proposals.
Call Me cynical, but I betcha dollars to doughnuts that someone has something somewhere in the shape of a crescent moon and star. · 7 hours ago
You know, I'm accustomed to hearing conspiracy theories about Americans here in Turkey, but since when have Americans become prone to believing in nefarious Turkish conspiracies?
Jun '10
Re: How Would You Redesign the National Mall?
I would start by adding a Macy's, a food court, a movie theater, a TCBY, a Cinnabon, maybe a Thomas Kinkade gallery...
What's that you say? It's not that kind of mall?
Dec '10
Re: How Would You Redesign the National Mall?
Claire Berlinski, Ed.
You know, I'm accustomed to hearing conspiracy theories about Americans here in Turkey, but since when have Americans become prone to believing in nefarious Turkish conspiracies?
Since that 9/11 memorial in PA turned out to be in the shape of a Muslim crescent.
Not so much Turkish as Muslim in general.
These actions are not coincidental, they are intentional. Muslims have undertaken them for centuries to mark the territory that they control or battles that they have won.
It's not the Turks that are responsible though. I'd say all the Muslims involved are either American citizens (naturalized or born here), or resident aliens from Saudi Arabia (govt "advisors", holy men, or lobbyists).
It may be unpleasant, but that does not mean it's not the truth.
Apr '11
Re: How Would You Redesign the National Mall?
This space will be perfect for the glass sarcophagus displaying the mummified remains of former Speaker Pelosi. Because Ms. Pelosi is, by current CBO estimates, at least 98% plastic, preparation work will be minimal and embalming will not be required. Relocation and cosmetic costs are estimated to be less than that of burial at sea so completion of this non-shovel ready project will actually contribute to deficit reduction and spur job creation.
Our Immaculate Leader (BIG O.I.L to his subjects) will not require a final resting place because He resteth not. He will always be with us (and those coming after us). To honor Him, a statue of Big OIL will be erected on the current site of the Washington Monument. The statue will be 600 feet tall, each foot of elevation representing one point of His record-shattering I.Q. Big Oil’s gaze will penetrate the oval oculus cut in the roof of this multipurpose facility and rest upon the trusted aide who masterminded the passage of His Super Tanker of State through treacherous legislative seas.