This project proposed a site-specific installation at the intersection of 34th St. NW and Wisconsin Ave. in Georgetown, Washington DC with a target audience of locals that regularly traverse the area. I proposed a pedestrian bridge that lifts pedestrians off the street and to their main destinations in this area - the bus stops on either side of the street and the Safeway grocery store. Additionally, in a pre-existing grass area behind the bus stop on the Western side of the street a physical interactive is introduced that educates about local birds of the area and activates a digital show across the pedestrian bridge. Site studies were conducted prior to this proposal to understand traffic patterns and area demographics.
Site Orientation
Area at a Distance
View from Safeway Entrance/Exit
A glass bridge elevates pedestirans off the road and connects them with the bus stops on either side. One exit is through the Safeway giving shoppers easy access uninterrupted in their journey by traffic. The other exit directly connects to the bus stop in front and the interactive at the back of it.
Interactive Area
Steps sit in a grass area behind the bus stop. They have a steady digital image of grass on them, so as to be discovered by passer-bys. The steps light up to a hot pink color when pressure activated and the projection on the back of the bridge begins to guide participants. The projection on the back of the bridge statically looks like tall grass and blue sky. Working much like the game Simon Says, the board has participants hop between steps in a pattern projected on the screen. The more succesful they are, the more birds they rustle up from the tall grass. The birds they startle are in hot pink like the steps. The birds fly up and join the bridge above, flying over the street in ever increasing circling patterns as the participant advances the game. The exhibit also informs its participants about the local birds of DC. Each bird is a local variety and the more exotic the birds become in the swarms as the game progresses. In the lower area of the screen is displayed a photograph of the birds as they are accessed along with some basic information about them.
Northwest View
Drivers from either side statically see black silhouetted birds sitting on a wire. When someone is playing the game they see the hot pink birds circling, eventually to rest on the wires.
SouthEast View
Drivers from either side statically see black silhouetted birds sitting on a wire. When someone is playing the game they see the hot pink birds circling, eventually to rest on the wires.
Site Model
