Atlanta’s Park Over GA400 | Atlanta, Georgia, USA | 2016

Architects: Rogers Partners Architects+Urban Designers
Associate Architects: ASD | SKY
Client: Buckhead Community Improvement District
Landscape Architects: Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects 

The architects were chosen by the Buckhead Community Improvement District to deliver a detailed plan and concept design for an innovative park over the GA400 freeway and the MARTA regional light rail platform and tracks.

The design for the 9-acre park will make strategic connections over GA400 and MARTA to enhance the life of the district, tailored to the specific qualities of the site and authentic to the Atlanta region.

The project creates the front yard and center of the Buckhead District.

Weaving a new signature public space
Atlanta Park Over GA400 recognizes an opportunity to occupy the gap created by the GA400 freeway with a dense cover of native trees that link adjacent canopies.

The undulating Piedmont topography, direct transit access, and cultural opportunities present a rich landscape into which we weave this new signature public space.

Enveloping plantings derived from native Piedmont plant communities tell the natural story of the region while providing ecological function by reducing the heat island effect, capturing storm-water, and supporting native flora and fauna that are co-adapted to each other and the Atlanta climate.

Diverse and linked experiences
The 2,500-foot-long public space over the highway will provide ample capacity for a mix of distinct spatial experiences including the shaded grove of the Commons for picnics and casual gatherings, a grand Plaza with vibrant edges and a large public display at the train stop, lush and intimate Gardens for immersive nature and art walks, and more.

Spanning the length of the park, an allée of high-canopied pines provides a defining structural element to the sequence of spaces. With dappled shade and majestic trunks, the allée moves through the distinct zones with a linearity that contrasts with the sweeping curves of the ground plane.

Connected Buckhead
This project extends deep into the district and will improve walkability and access to the MARTA commuter rail station.

Activated pedestrian paths seamlessly connect the neighboring streets and the park, encouraging foot traffic into and across the park throughout the day.

The park also becomes a prime destination on Path 400, a regional recreational and commuter bike path and running trail that will be integrated along the length of the park with improved connections at either end to regional destinations beyond.

A bike share station is included at the central pavilion in the Plaza, at the entrance to the MARTA station. The park is envisioned as a model for the multimodal future of Atlanta.