Exterior porcelain tile, concrete pavers, nozzles, water. 30’ Diameter
Street and Park Road NW, Columbia Heights, Washington D.C.
Commissioned by the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities. $180,000.00 Budget

Resonance, a large scale Streetscape Revitalization Project in the Columbia Heights neighborhood of Washington, D.C. focuses on the kaleidoscope as a symbol of the diversity of the surrounding community. The project further emphasizes that theme by utilizing textiles from different geographic locales such as Africa, Latin America, North America and South East Asia. These concentric circles reference the ripple pattern made when droplets fall from above and the center medallions reference the culture of residents of the neighborhood.
For this project, I worked with architects to develop an urban design framework plan and construct a civic plaza that accommodates community events. Our team defined qualities of the neighborhood and public places with commercial and residential support through public meetings, surveys, and consultation with our community steering committee. The work includes a plaza with terraced grassy steps, seating elements, and an interactive mosaic-tiled fountain. Additionally, I developed a series of training workshops to mentor neighborhood artists in mosaic design, and then oversaw the fabrication and installation of 17 medallions along the 14th street corridor. This process extended the project into the neighborhood and helped the community participate in a tangible way, fostering a sense of ownership and pride over the space.