Barry Farms, Washington, DC
Barry Farm is one of the most complex and controversial housing redevelopments in Washington, DC’s history, embodying over 25 years of debate and planning. Our design proposal reimagines Barry Farm as a place where the past, present, and future intersect.
The site’s legacy is inseparable from the city’s identity, stretching back to the pre-Civil War era, through Reconstruction, and into the critical moments of the civil rights and labor movements. As DC faces an urgent need for quality affordable housing, the challenge of redeveloping Barry Farm while preserving its historical significance and honoring the resilience of its people is monumental. Erasing this legacy is not an option—it demands a thoughtful and innovative approach.
Our design proposal reimagines Barry Farm as a place where the past, present, and future intersect. By conceptualizing the buildings as frames, we create windows into history through dedicated spaces for exhibitions and interpretive storytelling, ensuring the site’s rich narrative remains visible and celebrated. These elements honor the sacrifices and contributions of those who made Barry Farm a cornerstone of DC’s cultural and social development. At the same time, the proposal creates vibrant spaces for cultural celebration, where residents can gather, share music, food, and dance, and continue traditions that reflect the spirit of the community.
Site Plan Options
The articulation of various programs and their interaction between the landscape and buildings on the site has a significant impact on the experience and future of Barry Farm. Community feedback was used to develop different programmatic options that envisioned the growth of the site. By clustering these programmatic combinations, the direction of Barry Farm’s future was shaped and refined through an iterative process.
Looking toward the future, the design builds opportunities for growth and empowerment. An entrepreneurship center and classroom spaces are central to the vision, offering residents tools to create a sustainable and prosperous future. By balancing history, culture, and opportunity, this proposal ensures that Barry Farm remains a beacon of resilience and progress, preserving its past while fostering a community that thrives for generations to come.
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This project could not have been possible without the work of generations of civil rights leaders and community organizers that came before us. We are especially grateful for our partnership with Empower DC, The DC Legacy Project, and the support of the Mellon Foundation.