MEDIATING CONFLICT IN SITU
PLACE
ROLE
Exhibition Designer
RESPONSIBILITY
Site + Audience Research
Content Architecture
Design Strategy
Branding and Identity
3D Exhibition Design
Graphic Design
EXPERIENCE
McMillan Park was once used as a park space, filled with a diverse community. Decommissioned and fenced off since WWII, the 25-acre site stands in the middle of staggering gentrification in NW Washington, DC, and is the focus of an ongoing battle between developers, community activists, and city officials.
PLACE uses placemaking principles to transform the site into an interactive exhibition, designed as a conduit for resolution that inspires a path forward for the community through the power of play, story, and collective action.
PLACE leverages the unique qualities of the space, encouraging observation of the park and appreciation for its history.
Manholes are activated with quotes from urban planning heroes that pull visitors to, and through, the experience.
Designed for multiple levels of experience, a park space above cultivates community, while a think tank below invites visitors to delve deeper, mentally and physically.
As visitors weave in and out of the manholes, an augmented reality app lets them explore the past, present, and potential future of the site.
OUTCOME
Grad school thesis turned passion project, PLACE continues to serve as a sandbox for me to evolve my design and conceptual skills.