A design team led by French architects Agence Ter has won an international competition to revitalise the Pershing Square public park in downtown Los Angeles.

The contest, called Pershing Square Renew, was organised by a consortium of government, community and business leaders seeking to create a world-class public space for those who “live in, work in, visit and love” the heart of LA.

Agence Ter and project partners SALT Landscape Architects were chosen ahead of rival pairings James Corner Field Operations with Frederick Fisher and Partners; wHY and Civitas; and SWA and Morphosis.

Named The Dynamic Heart of Los Angeles, their winning proposal envisions the removal of walls, ramps and barriers around the perimeter of Pershing Square and the addition of a large rectangular lawn and tree-lined gardens that can host activities from picnics to outdoor film screenings.

Henri Bava, founder and director of Agence Ter, said: “By flattening the lifted surface and removing all of the walls, Pershing Square will reach out to the neighbourhood again, establishing a real dialogue with the city.

“Reintroducing flexible uses as well as nature will bring a strong identity for downtown Los Angeles; the new park will aim to install an urban ecosystem, with a generous canopy providing shade, an inviting lawn and Californian gardens. It will become a green, sustainable and active destination for the metropolis and will be timeless and elegant through its welcoming simplicity.”

The signature structure on site will be a high, wide shade canopy that stretches the length of the park. Described as “a glowing cloud”, this smart canopy will shelter leisure amenities and support a green layer of drought-tolerant plants and solar panels.

Agence Ter and SALT will collaborate with Deborah Murphy Urban Design + Planning and Fehr and Peers, Community Art Resources (CARS), Kelly Shannon, Leo Villareal, Pentagram, still room, Rachel Allen Architecture, KPFF, M-E Engineers and Lighting Design Alliance.

The Pershing Square Renew competition was launched in Q3 2015, with 54 teams submitting proposals. The shortlist of four was confirmed earlier this year and each team presented their proposals to local citizens and the jury panel on 28 April.