Tyson’s Corner moving toward more pedestrian-friendly design

Tyson’s Corner, Virginia, has two major malls, 35 million square feet of office space (more than many large cities), and represents the apex of sprawl in the Washington, D.C., area. It would be hard to find a more pedestrian unfriendly place, but even Tyson’s Corner is moving — albeit slowly — in the direction of a more human-scale, urban environment. Since 1994, Fairfax County — where’s Tyson’s Corner is located — has had a comprehensive plan that encourages in central commercial areas: buildings to be placed at or near the sidewalk; streetscape improvements; and mixed-use development. These design elements are not mandatory, but the county has leverage in the approval process. The plan is beginning to have an impact, according to county planner Sterling Wheeler. One example is the Tycon Tower project, originally designed by Philip Johnson, the great modernist, who envisioned the three commercial towers as isolated monuments completely cut off from everything except by automobile. One of the towers has been built. RTKL Associates has redesigned the final two buildings in a more urban, pedestrian-friendly fashion. Tyson’s Corner will have more opportunities to reinvent itself if the Washington Metro rapid transit line is expanded to the area. Five additional stops are being considered through Fairfax County. The county plan envisions more intensive, mixed-use, pedestrian-scale development around the future stops.