Foster + Partners：The 12-acre site of the former Washington Convention Center occupies a strategic position in the East End of downtown Washington, bordering the main city axis of New York Avenue with views towards the White House. Previously enclosed by a single, vast structure, Foster + Partners masterplan breaks the site down into smaller, pedestrian blocks that bridge new connections between diverse downtown communities: the historic and predominantly residential neighbourhoods to the north, and the mainly commercial office developments to the south.

Drawing inspiration from European street patterns, which break the existing grid system, the scheme reinstates and expands the original 18th century alleyways that run between the blocks. The tree-lined avenues, complete with classic Washington ‘globe’ street lights, are re-planted with local species to integrate seamlessly with the historic context.