A Secret Garden in Old TownWinner: Outstanding Landscape

Washington Spaces MagazineFall 2008

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granite block patio

ipe landingcantilevered pergola

tsukabai fountain

recycled concrete tile walk

ipe storage boxesFagus sylvatica ‘Asplenifolia’

Acer palmatum ‘Sango kaku’Prunus laurocerasus ‘Schipkaensis’

“The parents of two active girls wanted to create a multi-tasking garden in their tiny Old Town Alexandria backyard that would host rugged soccer practices as well as elegant dinner parties. Meg Herndon complied with a blend of plantings and hardscaping. The custom built pergola acts as a transition from the walkway to the garden and also forms a contemporary proscenium over a stage of ipe wood. In addition to LED lights that bathe the area at night, the owners went green with recycled cement tiles which are integrated into the garden walk. (Washington Spaces Magazine. Early spring 2009, p.75)”

Figure 2. View from walkway towards wall at western edge of property

Figure 1. Concept Plan

Figure 3. Northeast view from ipe “stage” Figure 4. Axon illustrating pergola, stage with lights, and storage boxes/seating

cantilevered pergola

ipe storage boxes

Herndon 1

Daingerfield Island:Del Ray and the Potomac

Scale 1:50

Daingerfield Island:

Del Ray and the Potomac

Local Trade and Smuggling/

Tobacco Rollers and Freight

Containers.

Daingerfield Island:

Del Ray and the Potomac

Industry and dredging/

Cut and Fill

Daingerfield Island:

Del Ray and the Potomac

Agricultural Plantion

Economy/Ridge and Furrows.

Ramp at 10% Slope

Pedestrian Suspension Bridge Scale 1/8”=1’-0”

GW Parkway Southbound

Wetland Well

Overlook to MonumentsLinear park across Daingerfield Island

MLA Studio projectSpring 2009

Figure1. A suspension bridge over the existing north-south travel lanes and uneven terrain allows universal access from Del Ray and Rte. 1 to the Potomac river.

Figure2. The design intent for this project was to provide visitors with cultural and environmental perspectives on place and time. Circular clearings across the park house forms from past land uses including freight (a), agriculture (b), and dredging (c). Water rills and pools along the path connect visitors with tidal rhythms (see Figures 3 and 4 below).

Figure 5.

c.b.

a.

Figure 3. Walking path and steps in a clearing overlook a rill and pool.

Figure 4. Clearing, pool, and walking path in section. Pool reveals tidal ebb and flow. Figure 6.

Figure 7. Fig. 5: The historic land use of dredging along the river is reinterpreted using pools and mounds.Fig. 6: Agricultural heritage in the coastal plain is shown using ridges and furrows.Fig. 7: Freight (at a slightly higher elevation is revealed using containers and tobacco barrels.

Herndon 2

Redevelopment proposal: Mcmillan slow sand

filtration plantMLA Studio project

Fall 2008The site of the filtration plant is slated for

redevelopment. This project illustrates a proposal to preserve the historic and environmental

character of the place while providing for the needs of a new human community.

Figure 1. The sand filtration plant is composed of a grid of columns underground which supported a flat sod roof and housed a bed of sand which cleaned Potomac River water for the city at the turn of the century. The proposal begins by returning the site to its former topographic condition by removing much of the underground structure and exposing the columns at varying heights.

Section a-b. The geometry of the columns inform construction for rowhouses, garages, streets and alleys. Irrigation pipes, a rain tank box, and bio-swales are the “new” filtration plants.

Section c-d. Farther north, the columns and arches remain intact and create a unique double-decker urban park.

former grade

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c. d.

a.b.

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Herndon 3

former grade

“Summer House”Macarthur Boulevard Washington, DC

Fall 2007

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By turning the lawn into a positive shape and using a self-defined, strong, curving bed line, the landscape embraces and helps to situate multiple architectural forms. A relatively simple mix of Crape Myrtle, Boxwood, Oakleaf Hydrangea, Roses, Miscanthus, Liatris, Russian Sage, and Gaura provide classic color and texture throughout the summer months. Herndon 4