Design agency James Corner Field Operations has transformed a former parking lot in Dallas, Texas, into a modern urban park. Considering the high temperatures that the city reaches in summer, the new West End Square focuses on keeping Dallas cool. Read more about how the project beats the heat.

The West End Historic District of Dallas in the US used to be a somewhat neglected neighbourhood of old warehouses and factories. Today, the area is flourishing with new real estate developments and creative companies that recall the District’s roots as a manufacturing hub. The proximity to downtown with its entertainment and dining attractions creates a lot of residential and tourist foot traffic in the District.

James Corner Field Operations (JFCO), one of the studios responsible for the High Line in New York, has now created a modern urban park called West End Square. It combines technological, natural, and structural elements to offer a next-generation amenity that is both a public gathering space and a climate change measure, while paying homage to historical roots. Covering a former surface parking lot, the park’s design creates a testing ground for incorporating technology, flexibility, and sustainability into public spaces. West End Square opened to the public in 2021.

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Plug-and-play approach to technology

To design the park, JCFO worked with Parks for Downtown Dallas, the city’s Parks and Recreation Department. With spacious and inviting street furniture, West End Square has become a lively park that offers curved benches, circular platforms, and a seating step feature. Round podiums with grandstand-style seating reference the traditional main square parks of prairie parks to evoke the history of the area. These Prairie Gardens make up the heart of the square and provide an oasis for the community.

The second key element of the park is The Frame, a U-shaped space around the gardens that activates the street edge and offers a broad programme. One of them is the Outdoor Workroom, a modern-day “office” located under a shade canopy. Its 15-metre-long table is custom-designed to integrate features like Wifi and charging points. Colourful, moveable tables and chairs blur the lines between work and play on West End Square. Other elements of The Frame are the Porch, the Game Room, and the Innovation Arcade. They all offer shade and have smart sensor lighting, fans, porch swings, power plugs, and Wifi. The plug-and-play approach to technology will allow the park to incorporate technology over time as its uses and needs evolve.

A gathering space for everyone

Importantly, the new public space by JCFO is also a response to the famously hot climate in Dallas. Its shade canopy includes integrated fans and lighting. An interactive water table responds to the weather by acting as a reflecting pool on calm days and serving as a misting station on hot days.

The lighting design of West End Square also features sustainability considerations. For example, designers chose smart LED lighting technology that adjusts light levels based on volume of use, occupancy, and transition from day to evening.

Carefully chosen perennials and grasses in the understory ensure that West End Square requires minimal watering while attracting butterfly pollinators and insects. A newly planted Burr Oak marks the centre of the park. It is encircled by a circular bench that is accessible from all sides to emphasise that this is a gathering space for everyone in the community. Based on public meetings with stakeholders, the park’s programme meets the community’s needs with spaces for work, play, and relaxation. It has become an anchor for the local community, hosting frequent events that range from dance classes to art installation and markets with local vendours.