Smithsonian Gardens Tree Fence

Location: Washington, DC
Status: In construction

Contributing to the stewardship of Smithsonian Garden’s existing and proposed plantings, the signature fence design reclaims street-side planters from the common right-of-way and celebrates the living collections. The arched design is recognizable, inviting visitors to engage the collection. It is also enduring: strong enough to exclude foot traffic and withstand crowds, while slender enough to complement the plantings throughout the seasons.

The repeating arch design draws from two iconic elements within the Monumental Core, the National Mall’s elm allées and the Smithsonian Institution Building. The tree fence design’s open, vase-like curves mimic the form of the elm trees, alternating with arches that echo the enclosure over adjacent paths created by the elms’ spreading canopies. The design also evokes the ribbed vault ceiling of the Castle Commons within the Smithsonian Institution Building, the founding building of the Smithsonian Institution and pillar of the National Mall since 1855.