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Elevating the Landscape of Entertainment by Mike Dahl, LASN (with introduction by Mahan Rykiel)
Situated along the Potomac River and adjacent to the Capital Beltway, MGM National Harbor - a $1.5 billion, mixed-use resort - is the newest addition to the booming National Harbor development district. For this project, the owners set out to challenge the traditional stereotype that casino environments are more artifice than they are substantive places. The vast softscape is composed of ten acres of a large array of plants and trees - a carefully curated selection of native and highly adaptive tree and plant species that is irrigated with rainwater and condensate-fed cisterns. The hardscape includes a two-acre fountain deck, numerous outdoor dining terraces, arrival courts for both the hotel and the casino, a deck for the pool, and ballroom terraces. All of this is neatly organized, balancing the monumental with elegant restraint. Roughly 80% of the occupiable outdoor site is located on the structure and inspired by Washington D.C.'s "Monumental Core," which includes the U.S. Capitol grounds, Arlington National Cemetery, and the National Mall along with other cultural structures, memorials, and landmarks. The formality of the architecture is designed to echo the rhythm and geometry of the landscape. Each of the resort's spaces deserved mastery, not only of architectural style, but also of the complexities associated with constructing occupiable space on the structure. The Landscape ArchitectsMahan Rykiel Associates - the Landscape Architect design team from Baltimore, Maryland - was responsible for all exterior amenity spaces, including the North, South, and casino terraces, the hotel pool deck, and the entry sequences to the hotel and the casino. The sculptural works also required detailed collaboration with internationally renowned artists. Putting Down the FoundationA variety of hardscape materials was used to create the surface areas of the project. Precast concrete pavers were set in either aggregate and sand or beds of bituminous material or mortar. Stone pavers were also installed along with precast concrete curbs and natural stone curbs. Steel edge restraints hold everything in place. Additional materials include river rocks, crushed stone aggregate, and stone dust.
January 2025 Playgrounds Column
Auburn, Indiana
Palo Alto, CA
Las Vegas, NV
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