Guest post: Anne L. Corbett, CuDC Executive Director
On Wednesday our five pop-up teams came to Flashpoint to tell us about their projects. I heard someone say “the mead theatre lab looks like developer architect prom!” But seriously, how cool was it to see everyone come out to present their concepts to one another and get feedback. Everyone has really embraced this project and all of the ideas are fabulous yet radically different. Here’s a taste:
Team Live – JBG, Studios & Andrew Wodzianski – are taking “live” literally designing a 100 s.f. compact residence in which Andrew will live for approximately 2 weeks. Can’t wait to peek at him in this ultra-modern, not-so-secret lair on U Street b/t 13th & 14th.
Team Work – Lakritz Adler, Sorg & Edgar Endress – are exploring commerce and the value of community. They charted a path from their site at the Moderno to Long View Gallery and will be giving people they meet along the path shawbucks in exchange for personal mementos. Someone asked how the architects could resist building something.
Team Play – Vornado, VOA & Gediyon Kifle – are creating an urban playground in Crystal City. They want to see how people interact with it. Gediyon, a photographer, says he’s outside his artistic comfort zone and he loves that.
Team Create – Artspace, Bognet Construction, Hickok Cole & Paige Hernandez – are creating a mirrored backdrop for Paige to perform her theatrical mixed tape. This pop-up will live in a temporary dance studio when Brookland Artspace Lofts breaks ground this Spring. Great dual purpose.
Team Connect – Cohen Companies, CORE & Jefferson Pinder – are making a metaphor for the neighborhood transition in Near Northeast. This 10 foot cube made of found materials from the community is designed to morph depending on where it’s installed. Several years ago, I fell in love with Jefferson’s assemblages – and now with his team he can really take one to scale.
Keep an eye out here for video of the creative process and of course plan to check out all five sites April 19th.
Cheers,
Anne
