Ash King - West End Station Soccer

Completed with Rohan Joshi, Braden McKnight, and Bohan Cheng

Lord Aeck Sargent 2023 Internship Program

Current and future master plans of the West End Station Soccer site.

As part of Lord Aeck Sargent’s annual internship project, our team collaborated with Soccer in the Streets to reimagine the underutilized space beneath the West End MARTA Station in Atlanta, GA. This community-driven initiative aimed to enhance the site for both soccer players and the broader public. The revitalized design balances the needs of families, players, and passersby, transforming the site into a welcoming public space that supports both recreational and community activities.

Proposed programs and landscaping features to bring to the site.

Beyond the soccer pitches, the undeveloped portion of the site is transformed into three distinct areas to better serve the community. A social gathering space with tables, hammocks, and seating offers a comfortable spot for parents and spectators while keeping children in view. Adjacent to this is a play area with new equipment and landscaped berms that provide a safe, engaging space for kids while reducing noise from surrounding streets.

In the quietest corner of the site, a memorial and reflection space honors local community members who have passed, serving as both a place of remembrance and a tribute to the West End neighborhood’s history and pride. These spaces create a vibrant, multifunctional extension of the site, welcoming all visitors—whether for soccer, play, or quiet reflection.

Images from a community design charrette held on the site.

Through extensive engagement with local residents, soccer coaches, and community leaders, we identified key challenges and aspirations for the space. The resulting master plan reflects four core priorities:

Connected – Strengthening links to nearby neighborhoods and transit, creating a more integrated urban experience.

Comfortable – Providing shade, seating, and gathering areas for spectators and visitors.

Safe – Enhancing visibility, lighting, and pathways to improve security.

Inclusive – Designing for all ages and abilities, ensuring accessibility and multi-use functionality.

Connection: The new path defines the three zones and unites them with the existing site development while the memorial column and rose garden connect to the identity of the West End neighborhood.

Comfort: The hammock garden, berms, benches, and other seating options all provide rest and comfort to parents or local residents who come to the site to relax.

Safety: The placement of the social gathering zone allows for clear visibility into the play area, back of the site, and soccer field so parents can always keep track of their children.

Inclusivity: The new programmatic zones provide spaces for all ages and user groups. There is space to play, run, garden, and explore in the natural playscape that doesn’t discriminate between children and their interests.

Circulation played a crucial role in the master plan to ensure accessibility and connectivity throughout the site. A primary path runs beneath the MARTA line overhead to serve as the site’s central spine. This paved walkway enhances visibility and provides a clear, accessible route to all areas. Complementing this, a secondary path winds through the activity spaces. It is designed to be a walking and jogging track that offers parents a way to stay active while waiting for their children and helps define the boundaries between different program areas. Together, these paths create a seamless and intuitive flow through the site.

Images from the final presentation to the community