WATERLILY LANDING
INNER HARBOR, MILWAUKEE, WI
As new residents revitalize the industrial buildings in the Milwaukee Harbor District, its public spaces demand commensurate character and distinction. Inspired by Wisconsin’s wetland habitats, Waterlily Landing proposes an iconic civic space at the terminus of Greenfield Ave., a major east-west axis. This all-season, accessible park celebrates Milwaukee’s unique natural beauty and industrial heritage, providing a flexible gathering spot where neighbors can learn, socialize, and enjoy recreation.
The Landing’s terraced amphitheater embraces the harbor’s edge, providing direct access to the water regardless of seasonal or tidal fluctuations. Steel parasols shade visitors with a canopy of self-supporting “waterlilies,” while sheltering native vegetation in integrated planters at each base. During a downpour, the parasols funnel rain into the planters, watering the florae while keeping benches dry for visitors.
Located near the UWM School of Freshwater Sciences, the amphitheater functions as an ideal launch point for small research craft and aquatic robots, and provides an “amphibious classroom” to exhibit Great Lakes ecology.
On special occasions, the amphitheater assumes a second identity as an outdoor performance venue for Milwaukee’s lively music scene. Lit with vibrant color projections at night, the parasols beam like luminaires, creating an iconic destination sparkling across the water.