PLACEMAKING POSSIBILITIES

A compelling balance between history, innovation and nature, this old industrial neighbourhood is renewed with quality public placemaking.

Revitalisation in the west end historic district of Dallas, Texas, USA, has helped an old region once filled with warehouses and factories find new life. Located close to entertainment and dining precincts in downtown Dallas, West End Square is now a mixed-use space bustling with new residential and commercial interests. Situated at its heart, a modern urban park offers a range of placemaking amenities to the newly revived community.

Designed by international agency James Corner Field Operations (JCFO), West End Square pays homage to the site’s historical manufacturing roots. Working in collaboration with Parks for Downtown Dallas and the city’s Parks & Recreation Department, JCFO turned the former parking lot into a much-needed urban greenspace. The precise rectangular geometry of the park is reminiscent of the original site, while the materials forming the hardscaped perimeter were salvaged and reused from the surrounding buildings.

A rigid shade structure defines the park space, running the perimeter edges of the park along three sides to form covered space with moveable tables and chairs scattered beneath that encourage alfresco dining. Ceiling fans and a misting system are utilised along the “innovation arcade” to combat the often hot weather conditions in Dallas. With planned programming for the walkway including communal workspaces and public art initiatives, the addition of climate control systems was deemed a priority.

Serving both a practical and aesthetic function in the greenspace, a suite of street furniture crafted of natural timber battens form organic curves throughout the park that help to offset the straight lines of its rectangular footprint. Designed and manufactured by outdoor furniture specialist Streetlife, the iconic furniture suite, which includes Rough&Ready curved and circular benches, podiums, curved terraces, picnic sets and bike racks, brings in a natural element while providing versatile and flexible function within the space.

Further enhancing the viability of the public space is a 15-metre-long table from Streetlife’s Solid range. Custom designed by JCFO in collaboration with Streetlife, the table includes integrated features such as WiFi and charging points, turning the covered outdoor zone into a modern-day outdoor office.

Eco-smart LED lighting technology was used to illuminate the park, providing adjustable lighting based on volume of use, occupancy, and transition from day to night.

A lush palette of greenlife was used to fill in raised planters and garden beds interspersed with meandering paths dotted by curved seating. Elevation changes within the topography of the gardens produce gentle slopes that create privacy and visual interest across the space, while a series of mature trees lie among the beds, creating greenery at different levels.

Utilising a diverse palette of perennials and native grasses, the greenspace pays homage to the Texas Blackland Prairies, while also ensuring year-round sustainability. A circular bench from Streetlife surrounds a mature Burr Oak, creating a central element that does much to contribute to the park’s unique identity, while biophilic sculptural elements serve to extend its functionality and visual appeal.

Combining modern technology within the embrace of nature, West End Square represents a forward-thinking greenspace within an evolving urban context that has not forgotten its roots.

PROJECT PARTICULARS
COMPANY Streetlife
CLIENT City of Dallas
LOCATION Dallas, Texas USA
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT James Corner Field Operations