Fargo 365 was one of three entries into the Downtown Fargo: an Urban In-fill Competition from Philadelphia-based design firm Wallace Roberts and Todd, the design team of David Witham, Douglas Meehan, Anna Ishii, and Hannah Mattheus-Kairy. Their entry was selected as one of two first prize winners. More images and architects’ description after the break.
The driving force behind Fargo 365 is the conviction that a truly public space is accessible 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Creating a place like this in North Dakota means accounting for wide, sometimes extreme variation in climate conditions. An often-used strategy in extreme climates is to move the public space indoors into skyways or indoor malls. However, issues of access, control, ownership, and governance, not to mention the lack of sunlight and fresh air, make an indoor public space problematic. In light of this, Fargo 365 envisions outdoor, truly public space for Fargo. Where climate conditions present a design challenge, they also presents an opportunity to celebrate the uniqueness of the region. With a contextual and climate-sensitive building form, integrated with cutting edge technology and public art, Fargo 365 celebrates the unique aspects of life in Fargo ND.
