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Columbus Circle's design returns this historic monument to
public access and appreciation, fostering an environment
not present for a generation. The design was conceived to
secure the site as a safe and attractive addition to the public
realm of New York City at one of the principal entries to
Central Park and the intersection of three significant
streets: Broadway, Eighth Avenue and 59th Street. The
design features all reinforce the simple idea that Columbus
Circle is unique in the City.
The island consists of a series of concentric rings that buffer
the traffic and provide a pleasant pedestrian environment
for the monument; a broad, gently raised area of planting, a
series of fountains, paving, benches and lights. American
Yellow Buckeye trees frame axial views to the historic
monument while providing a partial enclosure in the
center, where the monument stands. New custom designed
benches scaled to complement the civic space were
intended to be large enough to allow individuals and groups
to sit comfortably back to back, facing either the active
water and planting or the monument.
The previous small fountain surrounding the monument
base was removed, allowing people the ability to approach
it - to read the inscriptions, study the relief sculptures and
occupy the center of the circle - something that has not
been possible in the past. Replacing the central fountain,
three new basins encircle the central open area. Shaped as
a series of concentric ledges that form cascading jets
arching toward the center, the new fountains reinforce the
circular design and primacy of the monument while
masking the noise of the traffic and tempering the climate
in summer. The fountain is to serve as a series of bleacher
seats when turned off, to avoid the forlorn character of so
many empty fountain bases in the City during winter.
It is the intent of these simple gestures to make obvious the
importance of this civic space and monument, and to return
it to the citizens and visitors of New York City as an inviting
celebratory place. It is a place to pause and refresh oneself
in the midst of one of the busiest intersections in the
metropolis - a foyer to Central Park, an event on Broadway,
and a handsome scene for those who live, work and visit this great city.
American Society of Landscape Architects
2006 General Design Award of Honor
American Society of Landscape Architects, Pennsylvania
/ Delaware Valley Chapter
2006 Design/Build Award of Merit
New York Construction magazine
2005 Project of the Year
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