News Updates

Selected Project Presentations:

NCR Water Symposium Presentation, “Flood Mitigation for the Nation’s Capital” Washington DC, April 7, 2017.

DOEE Lunchtime Lecture, “Flood Mitigation for the National Mall” Washington DC, June 4, 2016.

Washington DC Silver Jackets “Flood Mitigation for the National Mall” Washington DC, June 3, 2016.

US Army Corps of Engineers “Flood Mitigation for the National Mall” Arlington, VA, June 3, 2016.

ASCE NCS April 2016 Section Meeting, 950 North Stafford Street Arlington, VA, Tuesday, April 19, 2016
Flood Protection Facilities within the National Mall and Memorial Parks, Innovative Stormwater Management Concept for the Washington Monument Grounds

"In addition to our feature presentation on the 17th Street Levee, Ms. Karolina Kawiaka, AIA, will also present on an innovative stormwater management concept for the Washington Monument grounds and Constitution Avenue. Her design, entitled The People's Forum, restores part of the historic Washington City Canal and raises grounds around the Washington Monument for stormwater retention. According to Ms. Kawiaka, the original plan for Washington DC "...defined two axes representing presidential leadership and democratic governance. 200 years later that vision is realized by a civic place that tells the story of the Washington Monument creates a public forum for gatherings and completes a vision of the Mall as America's front lawn." Ms. Kawiaka's design completes this vision while addressing a major stormwater challenge that threatens downtown DC."

National Capitol Planning Commission, “Flood Mitigation for the Nation’s Capital” Washington DC, April 30, 2015.

3rd Century Mall, Richmond, VA, American Institute of Architects Eastern Seaboard Conference ArchEX, Panel, 2012.

Science Friday on Sponge Cities and Green Infrastructure and Welcoming Flood Water into Parks!

Added 4/26/2019

"Cities are starting to rethink their water futures and how they can make their communities more resilient. Engineers and architects are looking to nature for inspiration by replacing dams and pipes with green roofs and other green infrastructure. City planners are designing parks based on how the natural ecology of the landscape handled the water. Instead of trying to hold back the floods, they’re welcoming the water…."

Listen https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/turning-flood-water-into-freshwater/

Federal Triangle Area Flood Workshop #2 Completed

Added 12/21/2018

The second Federal Triangle Area Flood Workshop, hosted by the DC Silver Jackets Team, was held on September 5th. Karolina Kawiaka was one of the presenters. See here for a summary of the event.

Federal Triangle Area Flood Workshop #2

Added 7/30/2018

Details are still being worked out for a second workshop sponsored by the DC Silver Jackets on September 5th, 2018, focusing on potential flood risk management solutions.

Karolina Kawiaka has been invited to outline the proposal described in this website.

Federal Triangle Area Flood Workshop

Added 7/30/2018

The District of Columbia’s interagency flood-fighting team, the Silver Jackets held a workshop on June 6, 2018 at the University of the District of Columbia. Their website says "The intent of the workshop was to provide attendees with an overview of the flood history and risk in the Federal Triangle; discuss steps individual agencies are taking to flood proof their properties; present on types of interior flood risk management measures; and engage on key opportunities and challenges related to interior flooding in the area."

Karolina Kawiaka was one of approximately 75 attendees.