Location
Washington, D.C.
Status
Design Completed 2015
Client
District Department of Transportation
KGP, as Design Architect teamed with AECOM Engineering, provided concept through CD phase services for the District Department of Transportation’s 31st Street Bridge. Located on the C&O Canal in the heart of Georgetown, the project represents a bold approach to insert a decidedly contemporary bridge with equally vivid references to the historic neighboring bridges and its predecessors. Recognizing the evolutionary nature of bridge typologies on the canal, the bridge directly recalls the elegant wood and steel structures of the canal from the 19th century without copying their form. Responding to the 21st century demands of pedestrian culture and a heightened awareness of the unique context, the bridge will provide generous areas for pedestrian seating and viewing the canal. Wood planks, and the rhythm of the steel tension-plate screen will provide a tactile interlude from the street, with low level lighting beneath the seating platform to illuminate the bridge.