Davidson Park replaces a parking lot beside Harley-Davidson’s Milwaukee headquarters with a public landscape organised around a circular gathering space. Completed in 2024, the project by Heatherwick Studio, working with HGA, combines everyday recreation with space for larger events.

At its centre, a sunken amphitheatre approximately 79 metres across creates a sheltered place to gather. Tiered seating, planting and paths follow its curved geometry, giving visitors different positions from which to experience the park.

Locally sourced brick, timber and weathered steel connect the landscape to its industrial surroundings. Patterned brick bays introduce smaller details, including designs developed with local students.

Beyond the central bowl, a market street, contemplative garden, nature playground and picnic areas support different activities. Native planting adds another layer to a site previously dominated by hard surfaces.

The project offers a practical urban-design lesson: changing the ground’s shape can turn an exposed, undifferentiated site into a series of places to sit, meet, play and watch.