Trust for the National Mall Announces Design Competition Winners

Rogers Marvel Architects & Peter Walker and Partners, Gustafson Guthrie Nichol & Davis Brody Bond and OLIN & Weiss/Manfredi Selected to Redesign National Mall Locations

WASHINGTON (May 3, 2012) - The Trust for the National Mall today announced the results of the National Mall Design Competition at its 5th Anniversary Benefit Luncheon. 

The winners are:

Constitution Gardens: Rogers Marvel Architects & Peter Walker and Partners

Union Square: Gustafson Guthrie Nichol & Davis Brody Bond

The Washington Monument Grounds: OLIN & Weiss/Manfredi

"The National Mall is a unique national treasure, where history is remembered and where history is made.  I'm thrilled to be a part of this effort to revitalize the National Mall and preserve its history for our children and grandchildren," said Mrs. Bush, Honorary Chair of the Campaign for the National Mall and the keynote speaker of the Benefit Luncheon.  "The Design Competition produced beautiful, thoughtful solutions to improve this iconic space."

The winning designs address not only the aesthetics of the National Mall, one of America's 397 national parks, but also issues of sustainability, maintenance and operations, and visitor experience. They feature performance space, terraces, gardens, restaurants and an ice skating rink.

"The National Mall Design Competition concepts are grand, respectful, sustainable, and beautiful; in short, they are worthy to be a part of this important and iconic space," said Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar. "We look forward to working with our partners at the Trust for the National Mall to make these designs a reality in time for the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service in 2016."

The winners were selected from a short list of twelve design teams comprised of nationally renowned architects and landscape architects. A Jury of design experts evaluated the designs on their functionality, sustainability and constructability, as well as the input of the American public.

"These designs will serve as role models of sustainability and best practices in urban parks," said Caroline Cunningham, President of the Trust for the National Mall. "The National Mall is a public space of great historical and symbolic significance. These talented winners will help bring our nation's front yard back to its former glory and improve it for the next generations to enjoy."

The Trust for the National Mall will work with the National Park Service to begin the implementation of these projects. The National Park Service will begin the required historic preservation and environmental reviews with the public and various Federal agencies. Fundraising for the winning projects will begin immediately.

The winners were announced at the Trust's 5th Anniversary Benefit Luncheon. The Luncheon attracted more than 1,100 prominent philanthropists, corporate leaders and government officials for an afternoon benefitting the Trust's mission to preserve the National Mall, home to the history, heroes and hope of America. To date, the Benefit Luncheon has raised nearly $7 million towards the Trust's efforts. Mrs. Bush was the keynote speaker at the event.

The Trust for the National Mall is the official non-profit partner of the National Park Service's National Mall and Memorial Parks, and is dedicated to restoring and improving the National Mall. For more information on the Trust for the National Mall, please visit www.nationalmall.org. For all Competition information, please visit www.nationalmalldesign.org.

###