Tourists take in the new landscape changes to the Washington Monument, Saturday, April 1, 2006, in Washington. The Monument reopened to the public after several months of security renovations. (AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson)
Posted on 04/01/2006 5:40:43 PM PST by Pharmboy
Tourists take in the new landscape changes to the Washington Monument, Saturday, April 1, 2006, in Washington. The Monument reopened to the public after several months of security renovations. (AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson)
WASHINGTON — In landscape architect Laurie Olin's mind, the approach to the most soaring of the capital's monuments had to be friendly and simple _ and safe.
The Washington Monument stretches more than 555 feet in the air from the National Mall. But for years there was nothing grand about the asphalt walkway that led to the obelisk. And adding jersey barriers in the age of terrorism diminished its aesthetic appeal.
"The point is to turn this security thing into a beautiful walk," Olin said, guiding a tour on Saturday for about 20 members of the National Building Museum and the American Society of Landscape Architects.
Olin and his firm won the National Park Service contract to design landscaping around the monument that incorporates stronger security measures. Now, after three years of landscaping, a curving, welcome pathway starts amid blooming trees and ends with pillow-shape benches at the monument's base.
"My whole goal was to simplify everything," he said. "But trying to do something simply is harder to do than something messy."
Olin adhered to what he said is an industry tenet: solving two or three problems with one aspect of the design.
One of the guidelines from monument officials was to improve security against terrorists using vehicles.
As a result, the sloping, circular pathway not only provides 180-degree views of the Mall but, as recessed into a hill, serves as a concrete and granite barrier strong enough and high enough to prevent a bomb-laden vehicle from reaching the monument's base. Light fixtures were also put in the wall.
"The last thing you want is vertical posts around the monument," Olin said.
Softer lighting and more benches "that lend themselves to comfort and sociability" were placed around the monument's base.
"It looks like a pillow," he said, sitting on one of the benches, "so it tells you how you should feel."
Joanne Buky, 46, a tourist from Virginia Beach, Va., said Olin succeeded in his goals.
"It looks more sculpted and softer," she said while gazing at the monument to the nation's first president. "It puts it on a pedestal, gives it more 'oomph.'"
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On the Net:
National Park Service: http://www.nps.gov
To view the landscaping plan: http://www.olinptr.com/pdf/wmonument.pdf
OK - it's only been opened for months now. AP on top of things as usual.
Freepmail me to get ON or OFF this RevWar/Colonial History/General Washington ping list.
Sorry--it was new to me also. I knew they were working on the Monument, but did not know where they were at.
Government tribute to secret societies, paid for by you and me.
Your obdt. svt.
P______y
I've always found it to be a bit standoffish. Good thing it's loosening up a bit.
The whole town is a spider hole. I wish our rulers would all go to Camp David and give us our city back.
A double LOL for you two...
I thought you were going to reference its old "tinfoil hat" (actually aluminum).
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