Alexandria Waterfront Pavilions

Winstanley Architects and Planners (WAP) has been at the forefront of addressing climate change and developing solutions for sea level rise and urban flooding. A prime example of this work is our collaboration with the City of Alexandria, Virginia. The historic core of Old Town Alexandria, one of the oldest neighborhoods in the United States, has long struggled with persistent flooding. In response, the city proposed a multi-year investment aimed at both flood prevention and revitalizing the waterfront to boost economic activity in this historic area. The foundation for the Waterfront Implementation Project (WFI) began with an Initial Flooding Assessment Report, which identified specific flooding issues and proposed potential mitigation strategies.

The primary goal of the WFI project was to mitigate flooding. However, alongside these improvements, the city also committed to enhancing connectivity along the waterfront and upgrading public parks and amenities. The project addresses two major flooding concerns: rainfall runoff flooding, through stormwater management enhancements, and flooding caused by the Potomac River, by incorporating backflow prevention and overtopping protection. A key part of WAP’s work was to seamlessly integrate these critical infrastructure buildings with the approved Waterfront Master Plan, which aimed to restore and enhance pedestrian access, improve connectivity, and promote multi-modal transportation.

WAP was chosen to collaborate with engineers on the design of the pump buildings located at strategic points along the waterfront. These buildings serve as platforms for the pumps, which are placed on the rooftops to ensure they remain above potential flood levels. Typically utilitarian, the pump buildings were designed to be resilient while also offering civic amenities, such as concessions and public restrooms. Situated within the new waterfront park, the structures adhere to FEMA regulations and blend with the surrounding environment.

The design of these buildings was inspired by the historical context of the waterfront, as outlined in the Waterfront Master Plan. The plan introduced cultural and historical themes for different sections of the waterfront, which guided the design of each pavilion. The pavilions were crafted to reflect the materials, details, and colors associated with these themes, using natural materials such as stone, wood, and metal. These materials pay homage to the history of Alexandria’s 275-year-old waterfront, ensuring that the new infrastructure is both functional and sensitive to its rich heritage.