MKSK

We are pleased to announce the promotion of a talented group of professionals who elevate our work to be uniquely MKSK. We are a better practice through their diverse talents, perspectives, and expertise. Thank you to these wonderful professionals for their continuous creativity and dedication! Please join us in celebrating the professional growth of these individuals! Learn more about them and what they look forward to in their new roles on our website. https://lnkd.in/e7z_bRNA #MKSK #ShapePlace #PlacesforPeople #LandscapeArchitecture #UrbanDesign #Planning #Design

MKSK, Washington, DC?|?Studio Works Breaking Boundaries: 8001 Woodmont Avenue At the heart of downtown Bethesda, MD, 8001 Woodmont Avenue redefines urban living with an innovative, site-specific approach to design. The site strategy for this 18-story residential and retail building, situated between two thriving commercial corridors, transforms a dense urban superblock into a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly space that enhances connectivity and community interaction. MKSK's design concept begins with a bold gesture: a block-long pedestrian plaza, seamlessly connecting Woodmont and Wisconsin Avenues. This dynamic public space is animated by a blend of recreational opportunities and sustainable features, including pyramidal landforms with interwoven pathways, a striking tessellated public art installation located on the ceiling of a 35-foot-tall portal through the building, and a stormwater planter utilizing enriched biofiltration soil sustainable treat rainwater collected from the building's roof. Residents enjoy a series of distinctive terraces, each designed to inspire connection with the outdoors: a sun-soaked Pool Terrace, a lushly planted Garden Terrace for gatherings, and an Entertainment Terrace with panoramic city views. The material palette, featuring Kebony wood and native plantings, underscores our commitment to sustainability and warmth. By prioritizing pedestrian connectivity, environmental stewardship, and community engagement, 8001 Woodmont Avenue exemplifies our passion for creating spaces that improve lives and maximize social benefit. #MKSK #ShapePlace #PlacesforPeople #LandscapeArchitecture #UrbanDesign #Planning #Studio #WashingtonDC #Design

MKSK, Washington, DC?|?Studio Works Honoring History, Shaping the Future: The District Wharf Fish Market The District Wharf Fish Market stands as a testament to resilience and continuity, holding the title of the oldest continually operating fish market in the United States. Our work at this historic site honors diverse community histories while creating spaces that enrich lives. Recognizing the neighborhood’s history—marked by displacement during the urban renewal movement of the 1960s—the Fish Market remains a powerful symbol of continuity for its community and a cherished cultural artifact for all of D.C. Collaborating with historians, our team ensured the design respected the site’s cultural, spatial, and material essence. The resulting landscape features: - A textured ground plane with functional material interventions that complement the historic barges and extend the Fish Market’s identity. - A network of outdoor gathering spaces unified by pragmatic materials that evoke the working-class character of the place. - Monumental sculptural stairs navigating a six-foot grade change, offering both accessibility and unique civic character. This site seamlessly mixes automobile and pedestrian traffic, embodying the active, working waterfront spirit. By blending historical reverence with forward-thinking design, the Fish Market now thrives as a place of gathering, connection, and cultural celebration for all Washingtonians. PROJECT PARTNERS: Hoffman & Associates (Developer) StudioMB (Architect) #MKSK #ShapePlace #PlacesforPeople #LandscapArchitecture #UrbanDesign #Planning #Studio #WashingtonDC #Design

MKSK, Washington, DC?|?Studio Works Designing Resilience: A Vision for Flood-Ready Communities At Southwest & Buzzard Point in Washington, DC, we partnered with the Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE) to help address the urgent challenges posed by climate change and interior flooding. Our team developed a unique resilience strategy that enhances the existing neighborhood and improves lives through site-specific, socially impactful design. In 2022, DOEE led an interdisciplinary effort to reimagine stormwater infrastructure for these vulnerable neighborhoods, which sit at the convergence of the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers. The Southwest & Buzzard Point Flood Resilience Strategy represents a pioneering approach to stormwater management, combining innovative blue-green infrastructure that is designed and operates at the scale of the entire neighborhood. Key features include: - Integrated parks and streetscapes: Transforming ballfields, amphitheaters, and bioswales into stormwater basins during extreme flood events while enhancing their everyday functionality. - Community-focused spaces: Creating venues for environmental education, sport, play, and passive enjoyment, improving health and well-being through green space and native planting. - Traffic safety and alternative transit: Promoting sustainable transportation and safer streets for all. With $18M in secured funding and a phased implementation plan, this project reflects our commitment to maximizing social benefit and fostering resilience. It’s a blueprint for cities worldwide seeking innovative solutions to climate challenges while building stronger, healthier communities. PROJECT PARTNERS: DC Department of Energy & Environment Ramboll Designgreen, LLC Moody Graham Karp Strategies AWARDS: 2024 Potomac ASLA Merit Award in Analysis, Planning, and Urban Design #MKSK #ShapePlace #PlacesforPeople #LandscapeArchitecture #UrbanDesign #Planning #Studio #WashingtonDC #Design #Resiliency #MKSKLAB #DOEE #BuzzardPoint #StormwaterMitigation #

In honor of Black History Month, we are highlighting an individual influential in the field of urban planning, Samuel J. Cullers. Cullers was a pioneering urban planner and advocate for ending housing discrimination against Black families in the United States. ? Samuel J. Cullers was an active member of the American Planning Association (APA) and took on many leadership roles within local chapters and at the national level. Throughout his nearly 50-year career, he worked in many cities throughout the country and internationally and was an was deeply involved with community service.? #MKSK #ShapePlace #PlacesforPeople #LandscapeArchitecture #UrbanDesign #Planning #Design #ASLA #APA #ULI #SaumelJCullers #BlackHistoryMonth Learn More: https://lnkd.in/gmR7azxz https://lnkd.in/gv_e2Nun

MKSK, Washington, DC?|?Studio Works MKSK developed a dynamic framework to transform Tysons into a thriving, inclusive community, driving positive change through collaboration and innovative placemaking. At Tysons, Virginia, we partnered with ZGF Architects, Happy Cities, and the Tysons Community Alliance to create a placemaking framework that identifies a number of potential key nodes and builds on local features based on authentic, site-specific approach. Our goal: to help transform this edge city into a thriving 24/7 community just outside of Washington, D.C. Our process began with a series of inclusive workshops, bringing together county planners, transportation experts, developers, local businesses, and arts groups. These collaborative sessions identified key priorities and focus areas, paving the way for identifying specific areas of opportunity. Through a targeted workshop, the team developed a comprehensive placemaking “toolbox” featuring programmatic and conceptual strategies to energize key sites across the community. The result? A series of bold conceptual sketches—our “what ifs”—that sparked imagination and dialogue at a community-wide event attended by over 150 residents. Co-led with the Tysons Community Alliance and Happy Cities, this "Placemaking Fest" ignited excitement for pop-up placemaking while inviting valuable community feedback. The Vision and Framework has helped inspire developers and stakeholders to champion placemaking efforts, with implementation set to begin this year. This project reflects our dedication to maximizing social benefit, celebrating diversity, and improving lives through design that builds connection and opportunity. PROJECT PARTNERS: ZGF Architects (Urban Design) Tysons Community Alliance (Client) Happy Cities (Placemaking, Event Programming) GOROVE SLADE (Traffic Planning) #MKSK #ShapePlace #PlacesforPeople #LandscapArchitecture #UrbanDesign #Planning #Studio #WashingtonDC #Design

Happy Valentine’s Day! We hope you have a wonderful day spending time with your loved ones. Here are a few ideas from MKSK for your next date night spot! - Shop and Dine at Easton Town Center Urban District (Columbus, Ohio) - Take a stroll through Ludlow Alley (Columbus, Ohio) - Catch a break by Scioto Mile (Columbus, Ohio) - Walk along District Wharf Promenade (Washington, DC) - Visit Poplar Avenue Park (Columbus, Ohio) - Catch a game at the Arena District (Columbus, Ohio) - Enjoy a picnic at Unity Park (Greenville, South Carolina) - Stroll through and dine out at Bridge Park (Dublin, Ohio) - Shop, dine, and enjoy Van Aken District (Shaker Heights, Ohio) - Take an afternoon walk along Columbia Street (Fort Wayne, Indiana) #MKSK #ShapePlace #PlacesforPeople #LandscapArchitecture #UrbanDesign #Planning #Studio #ValentinesDay #DateNight #ColumbusOH #WashingtonDC #GreenvilleSC

MKSK, Washington, DC?|?Studio Works By reimagining an underutilized space with purpose and creativity, MKSK has turned Silver Spring Metro Plaza into a lively, inviting destination that fosters connection and brings the community together At Silver Spring Metro Plaza, we reimagined an aging and underutilized pedestrian plaza as a welcoming and active public space for people.' "Slow down and warm" became our guiding vision for this space. Working within budgetary and structural constraints, MKSK carefully retrofitted the space to create a vibrant, functional environment that connects people and fosters community. Key design features include: - Light and expansive furnishings: Carefully designed wood and metal elements unify and activate the space while coordinating carefully with the existing roof structure below. - Integrated seating and planters: Benches, tables, and planting —featuring small trees, shrubs, and perennials—bring warmth and life to the plaza. - A flexible central space: Designed for daily use and adaptable for events during evenings and weekends, making it a true community hub. This project demonstrates our commitment to optimism, thoughtful design, and creating spaces that serve and inspire. Swipe through to see how Silver Spring Metro Plaza has been transformed into a place people love. PROJECT PARTNERS: Brookfield Properties (Developer) Gilbane Building Company (General Contractor) VIKA Maryland, LLC (Civil Engineer) AWARDS: 2021 ASLA Maryland - Merit Award for Design #MKSK #ShapePlace #PlacesforPeople #LandscapArchitecture #UrbanDesign #Planning #Studio #WashingtonDC #Design

MKSK, Washington, DC?|?Studio Works MKSK transformed a utilitarian service space into a thriving, modern retail district that honors the neighborhood’s history, enhances functionality, and fosters a deeper connection between people and place. At Cady’s Alley, we embraced the opportunity to transform a utilitarian service alley into a thriving, high-end retail district that honors the neighborhood's rich history while also embracing a clear Modern aesthetic. This project exemplifies how thoughtful, site-specific design can inspire curiosity, improve lives, and connect people to place. Our design approach is centered on two principles: Preserving character: The alley remains a shared space, welcoming pedestrians, private vehicles, and service traffic alike, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity. Celebrating function: Sensitive paving designs respect the historic materials while elevating the alley’s functionality and aesthetic appeal. Years after the initial installation, MKSK collaborated again with Eastbanc to enhance this vibrant district with new lighting, traffic-calming measures, and decorative planters—further enriching the experience for all who visit. This project is a testament to the power of optimism, authenticity, and community-centered design in transforming overlooked spaces into places people love. PROJECT PARTNERS: EastBanc (Developer) AWARDS: 2006 Brick Institute of America Best in Show 2006 ASLA Potomac Merit Award for Design 2006 ASLA Maryland Merit Award for Design 2005 AIA National Merit Award for Urban Design #MKSK #ShapePlace #PlacesforPeople #LandscapArchitecture #UrbanDesign #Planning #Studio #WashingtonDC #Design

MKSK, Washington, DC?|?Studio Works The Apollo is a place where vibrant outdoor spaces create community, and a shared environment that residents and visitors can enjoy. Our Design approach for The Apollo embodies the value that drives us: strengthening the local community, creating beauty, and improving lives through thoughtful and site-specific design. Located in D.C.’s vibrant H Street Corridor, this 8-story mixed use project brings people and purpose together through innovative spaces that honor diversity and maximize social benefit. From rooftop terraces to a ground level plaza, The Apollo’s design blends encourages social interaction and outdoor wellness: -?Rooftop amenities: a pool terrace, community garden, grilling lawn, dog run, and serene courtyards-all designed to foster connection and enrich lives. -?Street level vibrancy: a coffee shop and bar energize the building, while an outdoor dining plaza and walk- out gardens create welcome spaces for the public and local neighborhoods. -?Community-centered design: every detail like lush gardens, intimate patios, and social terraces- supports a thriving, inclusive community. We believe in shaping places that bring people together, celebrate local diversity, and maximize social benefit. Swipe through to see how The Apollo bridges design and community impact. Project Partners: SK+I Architecture, Architect Bohler, Civil Engineer Awards: 2019:?ASLA?Potomac?Honor?Award?for?Built?Design ASLA?Virginia?Honor?Award?for?Residential?Design ULI?Real?Estate?Trends?Awards,?Excellence?in?Mixed-Use?Development #MKSK #ShapePlace #PlacesforPeople #LandscapArchitecture #UrbanDesign #Planning #Studio #WashingtonDC #Design