In modern times, the American people have given new life to this grand public space in ways never imagined by past generations.
In modern times, the American people have given new life to this grand public space in ways never imagined by past generations.
President Washington had a hand in the founding of the capital with a monument to himself at its heart.
President Washington had a hand in the founding of the capital with a monument to himself at its heart.
Today the unformed expanse of the 60 acre Monument grounds shows little evidence of the ideas of the past.
Today the unformed expanse of the 60 acre Monument grounds shows little evidence of the ideas of the past.
Critics complained during construction that a giant obelisk was the wrong symbol for America, and alternatives were proposed.
Critics complained during construction that a giant obelisk was the wrong symbol for America, and alternatives were proposed.
The WAMO Competition gives us an opportunity to help shape the future with creative ideas.
The WAMO Competition gives us an opportunity to help shape the future with creative ideas.
What are your ideas to make the grounds more welcoming, educational, and effectively used by the public?
What are your ideas to make the grounds more welcoming, educational, and effectively used by the public?
Earlier generations imagined a variety of designs for the Monument and its grounds.
Earlier generations imagined a variety of designs for the Monument and its grounds.
Some looked for inspiration in European royal gardens, others in the natural ecology of the original Potomac River setting.
Some looked for inspiration in European royal gardens, others in the natural ecology of the original Potomac River setting.
Can the Washington Monument grounds be made more welcoming, educational, and effectively used by the public?
Can the Washington Monument grounds be made more welcoming, educational, and effectively used by the public?
The Stage 1 jury met on January 28th, 2011 and walked the Monument grounds. They deliberated and chose 24 semi-finalists.
The Stage 1 jury met on January 28th, 2011 and walked the Monument grounds. They deliberated and chose 24 semi-finalists.
The Stage 2 jury met on June 23rd, 2011 and chose 6 winners that demonstrated a broad range of ideas.
The Stage 2 jury met on June 23rd, 2011 and chose 6 winners that demonstrated a broad range of ideas.
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Public Voting Open for Washington Monument Grounds Ideas

September 22, 2011 Washington, DC -- The National Ideas Competition for the Washington Monument Grounds – a truly unique and global competition – is ready for the public to weigh in and vote for the “People’s Choice” favorites from among the six winning ideas selected by an independent jury last July. The distinguished jury representing the fields of architecture, theater, history, journalism, and landscape architecture chose the six winners from a field of 24 semi-finalists.

The winning ideas – Arcs of Shade, A Great Inclined Plane, Field of Stars, You and Me, The People’s Forum, and Monument of Unity – were deemed by the jury to best fulfill the challenge set by the Competition, which was launched in the summer of 2010. The American people were asked at that time to send in their ideas to make these iconic but unfinished grounds more welcoming, educational, and effectively used by the public for decades to come.

Voting takes place online, at the website wamocompetition.org. The public is invited to view displays of the six different concepts, listen to interviews with the competition winners, and submit an electronic ballot. Voting will remain open until spring 2012 when the Competition will be the subject of an exhibition from April 5th to June 24th at the Virginia Center on Architecture. This fall, some of the semifinalists’ ideas will be highlighted in the “Unbuilt Washington” exhibition at the National Building Museum, which opens on November 19th.

Read the full press release with descriptions of the winning ideas.


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