This once-unused piece of transport infrastructure has now been revitalised to not only be used as a wayfinding thoroughfare but also as a successful social space. This space is multi-seasonal, allowing visitors to utilise its purpose all year round.

This is a great example of the juxtaposition between the hard vehicular traffic alongside the soft landscape and fountains within the circle. These Burle Marx-inspired (my interpretation) soft aspects help to buffer the sound and the pollution. However, come winter, the fountains are turned off and as the planting is deciduous, no leaf cover. This, I feel, is a little oversight that could have been better explored.

All in all, I do agree with the designer that it was a successful balance of both social need and transplantation planning, despite my feelings about the vegetation selection.

OLIN — Columbus Circle (theolinstudio.com)