Prather's Alley

  • Prize
    Honorable Mention in Architectural Design / Urban planning: large integrated projects
  • Company/Firm
    El Studio PLLC
  • Lead Designer
    Mark Lawrence
  • Design Team
    Elizabeth Emerson, Sarah Beth Mckay, John Kirya
  • Architect
    EL Studio PLLC
  • Const. Company
    Dodge Chrome, Precision Capital General Work
  • Photo Credit
    Liz Gorman, Shedrick Pelt
  • Location
    Mount Vernon, Washington DC
  • Client
    Mount Vernon Triangle CID
  • Project Date
    12/9/2022

This project to reimagine Prather’s Alley reclaims historically underutilized alley infrastructure to inspire culture, commerce, and connectivity. After a series of community surveys and design workshops the proposed improvements included three interventions: a public art display, mobile market, and traffic calming.
The project goal was to enhance an underutilized alleyway in central Washington DC. After a series of community surveys and design workshops, the proposed improvements included three interventions: public art, a mobile market, and traffic calming. The team then worked to pair portions of the project scope with potential grant opportunities. Design development, fabrication, and installation were implemented as funding was secured for each component.