Sandlot Anacostia
TYPOLOGY: Temporary Retail / Cultural Activation
Completion: 2022
Location: Washington, DC
Located within the emerging Bridge District in Poplar Point, Sandlot Anacostia is the inaugural activation of a 25,000-square-foot site that marks the beginning of a transformative mixed-use development along the Anacostia River. Designed as a temporary yet impactful cultural and commercial destination, Sandlot Anacostia establishes a vibrant sense of place on a site that would otherwise remain vacant until the start of Phase 2 construction.
The project is characterized by an open-air, industrial aesthetic, using repurposed shipping containers, modular structures, and flexible programming zones to accommodate a bar, cultural event stage, food service area, public restrooms, and ample communal seating. This flexible layout fosters community gathering, small business incubation, and diverse programming—from concerts and pop-ups to public markets and youth-centered events.
Informed by the District’s recent designation of Anacostia as an official Arts & Culture District, the design strategy intentionally celebrates the creative energy of the neighborhood. The project serves as a civic and economic catalyst, offering affordable vendor spaces to minority- and women-owned businesses at below-market rates and creating jobs and opportunity while reinforcing equitable development principles.
As the lead designer, I oversaw concept development, site planning, and overall project visioning. I also led the effort to secure public and private funding through strategic partnerships, sponsorships, and grants from organizations including the DC Deputy Mayor’s Office for Planning and Economic Development. Visual assets and renderings were developed to support fundraising efforts and community engagement.
Sandlot Anacostia exemplifies how design-led, interim-use strategies can activate underutilized land, spark local investment, and anchor larger-scale neighborhood transformation.
Partners: SuiteNation, Redbrick LMD, DC Deputy Mayor’s Office of Planning and Economic Development
Role Provided: Concept Visioning and Design, Fundraising Support, Renderings and Graphics
