central waterfront: seattle

Erin TrompeterKaitlin VaughnKendra Prather

Instructors: Bussierre, Cairns, CruzLA 403: Urban Design

Landscape ArchitectureCollege of Architecture and Planning

Ball State University12.10.2010

a new use for urban voids

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Goals & Objectives

Viaduct History & Proposed Changes

Diagrammatic Studies

Conceptual Drawings & Studies

Master Plan Layers

Master Plan

Street Typologies

Site Character

Sit Design | Major Road Design

Group Manifesto

goals and objectives

Establish physical connections between the waterfront and the surrounding neighborhoods of Seattle.

Find a solution for the waterfront that houses multiple transportation modes in a safe and accessible manner.

Expand waterfront environment to serve a multitude of pedestrian needs and uses.

Find environmentally conscious design solutions for the seawall and public open space in the urban core.

1.2.3.4.

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SR99 Bored TunnelBored tunnel alternativeThis alternative, recommended in January 2009 and identified as the preferred alternative in fall 2010, would move SR 99 into a bored tunnel beneath downtown, reconnect the street grid at the ends of the tunnel and remove the viaduct along the waterfront.

The proposed bored tunnel would maintain a vital route for people and goods through downtown, while also improving the environment of the waterfront and opening it up for other public uses. A major advantage is that construction impacts to businesses and the traveling public would be minimized. Using a tunnel boring machine would allow us to build the rest of the new SR 99 corridor while the remaining viaduct stays open to traffic.

On September 3, 1959, the final phase

of the 3.8-mile long Alaskan Way Viaduct and Battery Street Subway project was opened to traffic. Constructed in three phases during the 1950s, the viaduct and tunnel are intended to alleviate traffic problems along Seattle’s waterfront and through the downtown area. Although the viaduct is widely hailed in the 1950s as the solution to the traffic problem, by the 1970s it will itself be considered a problem; an eyesore to the Seattle waterfront and unable to withstand a big earthquake.

The Alaskan Way Viaduct is a 3.4-mile-long

freeway (2.2 miles of which is an actual

viaduct) that starts at its southern end near South Nevada Street south of the West Seattle Bridge and runs north past Safeco Field and the Seahawks Stadium to the downtown waterfront. The freeway is a double-decker viaduct for about half of its total length.

Traffic travels northbound on the upper tier of the structure and southbound on the lower tier. The freeway starts from its southern end as a side-by-side surface roadway; near South Holgate Street it transitions into a double-decker viaduct; farther north, as it passes Pike Place Market, the freeway segues back to a still-elevated side-by-side viaduct, then veers northeast and enters the Battery Street Tunnel (actually two side-by-side tunnels) at 1st Avenue and Battery Street. Traffic travels through the tunnel for four-tenths of a mile, making the entire route 3.8 miles, before exiting at the northern end of the tunnel on Aurora Avenue just north of Denny Way.

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proposed viaduct changesAlaskan Way Viaduct and Seawall Replacement - Map of bored tunnel alternativeIn January 2009, the Governor, King County Executive, Seattle Mayor and Port of Seattle CEO recommended replacing the viaduct’s central section, between S. King Street and Battery Street, with a bored tunnel alternative. This alternative would move SR 99 into a bored tunnel beneath downtown Seattle, reconnect the street grid at the ends of the tunnel and remove the viaduct along the waterfront.

In our environmental review we are doing a detailed analysis of bored tunnel construction, removal of the existing viaduct and closure of the Battery Street Tunnel (items in green). We will also briefly review other program elements as they relate to the viaduct replacement (items in blue). The orange items note several improvements that will be complete before the viaduct’s central replacement opens to traffic.

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Framework Plan

As a significant regional destination for visitors, Seattle’s waterfront is an important cultural and economic asset for the state. The waterfront provides docks and amenities for cruise ships that carry almost 700,000 passengers from the Puget Sound area to Alaska. Seattle’s waterfront is also home to major contextual draws including the Seattle Aquarium, Odyssey Maritime Discovery Center, the Pike Place Market, and The Olympic Sculpture Park. These attractions, among others attract more than 11 million visitors a year.

In order to fulfill our goals and objectives and to accommodate for the existing regional amenities, this framework plan sets the design up to provide locals and visitors to both new and existing site features. Because the combination of new and existing site amenities becomes complex, the site demands a very complex framework

that links together all of the new objectives to the currently successful features.

By implementing successful pedestrian corridors, redesigning the SR99 right of way and developing a multi-modal transportation

network, redeveloping the waterfront amenities along the boardwalk and piers, and developing a network of green spaces that reflect the cities sustainable initiatives, this framework plan sets up a plan that will guide the city in making decisions for the future of the waterfront.

This framework will be the foundation that links major development and infill with temporary changes to the site, long term goals for the waterfront, and existing successful site features together for a comprehensive, cohesive framework.

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push | pullPush | Pull of the Natural & Built

This diagram shows very simply the push and pull between the natural environment and the built environment. As it stands, there is very little interaction between the two. This demonstrates areas where the natural environment can penetrate the built, possibly through parks and open space that feature natural habitats of the Pacific Northwest.

In contrast, there is potential to extend the built environment into the natural

environment through a series of pedestrian bridges that culminate at the water’s edge or directly in the water as well as floating docks located at the ends of the existing piers. Drawing inspiration from Tanner Springs Park, a water-engagaing park in Portland, our design encourages pedestrian connectivity to the waterfront. This push and pull will hopefully strengthen the connection between these two worlds and establish a weaving of spaces conducive to increased pedestrian activity along the waterfront and into the downtown.

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PIER EXPANSION / RENOVATION AREAS

ACTIVE MOORAGE(BOAT ACCESS)

PRIMARILY COMMERCIAL

PRIMARILY MIXED USE

SHIPPING / PASSENGER TERMINALS

RECREATION / PUBLIC ACCESS

RETAIL COREEXISTING/NEW MIXED USE

NEW COMMERCIAL

PACIFIC NORTHWEST NATIVE PLANT ZONE

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Land Use with the Topography

This diagram reveals the layers of development that already exist along and adjacent to the Waterfront. The retail core of the city is located near the center of the waterfront. It will be vital to provide strong pedestrians connections to this and heavily develop this important central node of the design. There is also existing residential/mixed use involved. Not only will the waterfront have to cater to visitors of Seattle, but it will also be important to keep the residents of Seattle in mind.

Topography is highlighted to emphasize the literal layers of development that exist and that will be created. This topography creates views for everyone but also creates access problems. How will pedestrians reach the waterfront? Implementing a series of pedestrian bridges will break these blockades.

Another concern highlighted is that there are active moorages that will continue to need access to the water. This will only slightly limit design. However, these piers can be expanded on to the west and still provide the access needed.

This inventory and analysis also revealed planting zones. The Pacific Northwest Native Plant Zone expands upon the existing implementation of these plants found at the Olympic Sculpture Park. The ecology of Puget Sound is revealed with the redevelopment of the Aquarium and Waterfront Park. Prime educational opportunities arise with this being the center of the waterfront. The Hardy Industrial Planting Showcase Zone was appropriately placed next to the heavy industrial cargo loading dock. This zone will demonstrate how plants can be used to bring life back into these industrial areas. The Restoration of the Past Zone, therefore, displays how a once industrial pier and land have been reclaimed for the public.

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greenspace map

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COMPLETE GREEN STREET

SEAWALL HABITAT ENHANCEMENT

UNDERWATER HABITAT RESTORATION

BEACH

EXISTING GREENSPACE

NEW GREENSPACE

Green spaces through the urban core

By extending and pulling the waterfront physically and visually into the urban core as far as possible through the use of green streets, terraced storm water management installations, green facades, and linear parks among others, the pedestrian connection and flows of traffic become stronger, more centralized, and enhance movement. As the map shows, maintaining views of the water from public spaces, roads, and corridors,

this plan gives Seattle pedestrians more choice in movement through the city, strengthening each experience.

Improving the East/West connections, as stated previously, will improve pedestrian

connections, as well. Providing usable and implied green space throughout the city, gradually increasing the amount toward the waterfront will enhance the pedestrian and vehicular experience as people move East/West to and from the waterfront. A system of usable green spaces is key in a city which already has such an outstanding sustainable initiative.

The improvement to these pedestrian flows throughout the city will, in turn, enhance the relationship and connectivity between the urban edge, the urban core, the waterfront, and Seattle’s people.

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PROPOSED WATERFRONT STREETCAR

EXISTING WALKING ROUTES

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Multi-Modal Transportation

This diagram defines the accessibility of the site. The waterfront is within two miles of Freeway Park. Two miles is the distance that most people are willing to bike. Freeway Park is a major pedestrian connection to the rest of the city that is cut off by the freeway. The waterfront is also contained within several 5-minute walks, the average time a person is willing to walk from one destination to another. The proposed streetcar will have stops that are approximately one-quarter mile (5-minute walk) apart, ensuring thorough accessibility for the entire waterfront.

Highlighted existing walking trails and urban trails reveal existing pedestrian connection points to the waterfront as well as where the people are coming from. This influenced the placement of the stops as well as important east-west connections.

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pedestrian flows

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Pedestrian flows and connections

With the steep grade between the urban city edge and the waterfront, as well as the presence of the Alaskan Way Viaduct, the central waterfront currently has problems connecting to pedestrians. With the removal of the Alaskan Way Viadcut, Highway 99 still remains and continues to challenge the pedestrian/waterfront connection. Seattle’s central waterfront embraces a linear north-south neighborhood and district which has the potential to fully embrace the waterfront along the Alaskan Way.

By mapping out where current flows of pedestrian traffic occur in combination with where they would best occur in support of the framework plan, we were able to create a diagrammatic map that helped guide

master planning principles. East/West connections, drawing people to and from the waterfront to the city edge, becomes

important as pedestrian flows infiltrate the “pushing and pulling” of the urban edge and the waterfront that occurs in our framework plan.

Making public use and access is a primary goal for redeveloping the waterfront. By increasing the physical and implied, visual access to the waterfront edge, this plan

can connect the waterfront with the urban edge and help each district along the waterfront unify a new, cohesive Downtown Seattle.

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Uptown Urban Center VillageSouth Lake Union Center VillageCapitol Hill Urban Center VillageBelltown Urban Center VillageDenny Triangle Urban Center VillagePike Pine Urban Center VillageCommercial Core Urban Center VillageFirst Hill Urban Center Village12th Avenue Urban Center VillagePioneer Square Urban Center VillageChinatown International District Urban Center Village23rd & Union-Jackson Urban VillageGreater Duwamish Manufacturing IndustrialNorth Beacon in Residential Urban VillageNorth Raihler Hub Urban Village

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urban villages

Neighborhood Connections

An improved waterfront creates the opportunity to draw users out from the surrounding neighborhoods. Belltown will be an important connection on the northern end of the site, which will be highlighted by the new green space created in the viaduct void.

This will provide a strong pedestrian connection from Belltown directly down to the core of the waterfront. The central portion of the site is adjacent to the retail and commercial core of downtown Seattle, so the primary connections to the waterfront will be through strong pedestrian

streets and improved streetscape environments to encourage people to explore the shoreline.

On the southern end of the site, Pioneer Square is an important connection that can be made through enhanced streetscapes from the waterfront into Pioneer Square as well as through a new beach environment adjacent to the neighborhood. This beach area can provide the Pioneer Square

residents the opportunity to interact directly with the waterfront.

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early concept drawings

Bridge design concept

The above drawing shows in basic terms the ways that the different modes of transportation (vehicular, pedestrian, bicycle, mass transit) can interact and function together at the streetscape level in order to create a comfortable and safe pedestrian area. Wide medians

provide easy transitions between transportation lanes and a centrally located rail line will allow for easy access. The pedestrian bridge concept is also demonstrated through this drawing. It is a way to not only provide safe pedestrian access to the waterfront but an opportunity to create a site landmark and way finding device. Drawing inspiration from “The Ring” at Sydney Olympic bark as seen in the images below, our team developed a series of artistic pedestiran bridges to the waterfront. This would also be a chance to infuse local flair into the site by allowing Seattle artist to have a hand in the bridge design.

University Street: Pedestrian Bridge Addition

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esBridging the gap between the urban edge and the waterfront

The conceptual collage as shown on the right is ann early study demonstrating how our team plan on implementing a few of the goals and objectives established. By “pushing” the built environment into the natural environment by means of pedestrian bridges and by “pulling” the natrual environment into the urban core as much as possible, a

framework is created to bridge the gap that currently separates the two.

The merging of the two types of environments allows both to be embraced in a very special and very distinct way. Allowing

pedestirans access to the water is a major concern for the city of Seattle, and keeping them along the waterfront once there is another issue. Drawing inspiration from the floating stage on Lake Constance in Bregenz, Austria (as seen in the image

below), our team plans on installing artistic and unique features that not only attract people to the central waterfront, but keep them there, as well.

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concept brainstorming

Terraced Tidal Pools

Floating Docks

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esSeawall Habitat

Adding cavities and pools that retain water during low tide provides sheltered habitat and increases overall surface area for colonization. Tidal pools are created even where the seawall remains vertical.

Blocks that extend outward create a varied surface. A study conducted in Seattle showed that increasing seawall roughness and texture provides surface conditions more conducive to the growth of organism and increases surface area for colonization. This then also provides additional food sources for other aquatic life that feeds on the colonizers and encourages them to establish themselves as well.

Piers block light to underwater habitats such as, eel grass meadows or bull kelp. Cutting away the pier allows light to penetrate the water, encouraging more wildlife and plants to establish themselves along the rocks. These peek-throughs provide visual and physical access to the water and also create a fish passage. Light wells are also placed along the new promenade, where lack of space eliminates the ability to cut away from the piers. The pier itself breaks strong swales, creating calmer waters for migratory fish to spawn and their offspring to grow. These nearshore areas are especially important for salmon. The vegetation and calm waters provide food and shelter for maturing species. The transmitted light and submerged habitat bench supports aquatic life and migrating juvenile salmon.

The ferry terminal has been expanded to better accommodate passengers with a renovated building addresses the waterfront promenade. The seawall in this area is the most natural, formed from debris from the aqueduct, creating natural tidal pools, varied surface, and crevices.

These types of seawalls will provide a continuous habitat bench supporting aquatic life along the entire waterfront.

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site character

Pedestrian Connections and SR99 Right of Way

The SR99 road way has been redesign to be 4 lanes of traffic, 2 each way, separated in the

middle by the street car lane. On either side of the street car lane are 10 foot sidewalks; this gives pedestrians a place to stop and rest to either grab a seat on the street car, or to simply wait while trying to cross an otherwise busy highway. Moving SR99 closer to the urban

edge also provides more public space along the waterfront for pedestrian activity including buskers, open space, habitat reclamation, and learning opportunities.

University Street: Enhancing pedestrian throughways and public plazas

University Street is already partially pedestrian oriented. It features an interesting and well-designed staircase that allows people to traverse the hillside and get down to the level of the waterfront. This image shows how that stair can be extended into a wide plaza space that

leads people down to the improved waterfront. This space would strengthen the connection between the urban core of Seattle and the waterfront, blurring the edge between the two environments.

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green facades & living wallsGreen Facades | Vertical Vegetation

This part of the site design focuses on the implied terracing of green fades through the urban core. Running along the East/West connections toward the waterfront,

green, vegetated facades will appear to terrace down the grade toward the water. By gradually decreasing the slope of the vegetated facades as they approach the water, the amount of vegetation can

increase, starting to mimic the natural habitat of the seawall environment.

Drawing inspiration from Patrick Blanc, our intention is to create artistic, green, living

walls that both add beauty to the urban core and emphasize the sustainable character of the city.

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Existing Buildings

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master plan : in layers

Piers, Dock, &

Boardwalk

TransportationStreetsSidewalksStreetcar LineParking Lots

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Beaches & Bull Kelp Forests

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master plan : in layers

Natural Areas

Green Space & Vegetation

Vegetation used on the waterfront, both in the water near the beach areas and throughout the green space, will be native plantings to the Puget Sound. This is important to the success of this environment because plants native to this region help to prevent shoreline erosion through fibrous root systems that stabilize the soil.

Shrubs that can be used for this purpose include the Evergreen Huckleberry, the Red Huckleberry, and the Snowberry. Native trees that provide good erosion control include the Shore Pine, the Serviceberry, and the Big Leaf Maple.

Bull Kelp will also be planted in the waters just off of the shore near the new beach areas because Bull Kelp will improve the marine environment, playing home to many sea creatures, as well as protect the sea wall from erosion due to currents.

Pier 69 Pier 67 Pier 66Pier 62

Pier 57

Beach Tidal Pools Bull Kelp Forest

Habitat “Peek-through”

Seattle Aquarium and

Habitat “Peek-through”

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Extension

Extenstion of Green Street

Terraced Stormwater Linear Park

Cruise line Docking

Pier

Floating Docks

master plan: 1”=300’-0”

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Pier 52

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Pier 55`Pier 56

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Habitat “Peek-throughs”

Bull Kelp Forest

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Public Plaza/ Busker

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Floating Docks

Extended Pedestrian

Access to Water

master plan: 1”=300’-0”

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Improvement of Ferry Dock

Olympic Sculpture Park The Olympic Sculpture Park serves as an anchor point on the north end of the site, providing an existing, successful green space and regional amenity to the central waterfront area.

Terraced Stormwater Linear Park With the removal of the Alaskan Way Viaduct, new parkland opens up. The topography and size of the parcels support a stormwater park. The park is located adjacent to existing heavily residential/mixed use areas. The park provides a more private area for the residents. It also celebrates stormwater, a major theme throughout the city of Seattle. The final resting point is the center of the waterfront, inviting people from the waterfront to explore beyond as well.

Aquarium Peek-Through

Piers block light to underwater habitats such as, eel grass meadows or bull kelp. Cutting away the pier allows light to penetrate the water, encouraging more wildlife and plants to establish themselves along the rocks. These peek-throughs provide visual and physical access to the water and also create a fish passage.

Extension of Lenora Street Bridge The Lenora Street bridge is currently intended to have a similar purpose as the Pike Street bridge that removes the obstacle and challenge of moving through the natural topography. It is not, however, a direct link between the urban core and the waterfront. Our proposal is to extend the Lenora Street bridge in order to bridge teh gap that exists between users at that space from the urban core and the waterfront edge. This could potentially increase tourist activity at the northern end of the site with the recent addition of the Olympic Sculpture Park as most of the daily pedestrian density is located in the central portion of the site.

master plan: 1”=300’-0”

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Natural beach adjacent to seawallBeach area – This beach area is situated adjacent to the seawall and the ferry docks and will feature a naturalized landscape setting native to the Seattle region. It also provides a destination along an east-west connection to the Pioneer Square neighborhood, strengthening the relationship between Pioneer Square and the waterfront. This area will also feature a bull kelp forest, meant to improve marine wildlife habitats and decrease seawall erosion from the currents.

Pedestrian Linear Park from Ferry DockThe stadium area is a logical southern anchor point for this plan because of the thousands of people that venture to that area on a regular basis for sporting events. In order to connect this area to the waterfront, this plan will turn the void from the viaduct that led to the stadiums into a pedestrian street full of sports bars, restaurants, and shops, uses that can attract the stadium users as well as everyday pedestrians.

Busker | Pedestrian Plaza off of University StreetUniversity Street is currently a successful pedestrian zone, so this plan will maintain this area and build off it by extending the pedestrian accessibility down to the waterfront and providing areas for gatherings and performances. The existing grand staircase on University Street that negotiates the topography of downtown Seattle will be accentuated through a linear park that will begin at the base of the stair and continue toward the boardwalk. These busker areas will be created in what are currently parking lots in an effort to recapture the waterfront for pedestrian use. By reclaiming more of this area for people, University Street will hopefully become an even bigger pedestrian draw than it currently is.

Olympic Sculpture ParkExtension of Lenora Street Bridge

Bull Kelp Forest

Terraced Stormwater Linear Park

master plan: 1”=300’-0”

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Busker | Pedestrian Plaza off of University Street

Natural beach adjacent to seawall Terminus of Pedestrian Linear Park from Qwest Stadium to Ferry Dock

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street typologies`Road Typologies

Streetcar between vehicular – This section serves as a basic demonstration of the layout and spacing of the transportation systems along the waterfront. For most of the southern and central portion of the site, the streetcar will run between the vehicular lanes of traffic. Wide medians will create buffers between the streetcar and the road, safe for pedestrian travel. There will also be ample sidewalk space on either side to accommodate pedestrians, bicyclists, and streetscape amenities such as trees and benches.

Streetcar beside vehicular – For a portion of the waterfront, the streetcar will run alongside both directions of traffic as opposed to between. The same design principles exist here, broad medians and sidewalks to serve pedestrians with enough room for street furnishings as well.

Cruise terminal area – In the northern section of the site near the cruise terminals, the streetscape typology has varying conditions based on the existing features. The streetcar will run alongside the vehicular traffic with a vegetative buffer between. This area also allows for ample pedestrian space and green space opportunities.

streetcar between vehiclular traffic: 1”=8’-0”

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Waterfront Access and Connectivity

Due to the face that the right of way of SR99 has moved closer to the urban edge in the site design, more public space is available near the waterfront edge. This give pedestrians more usable space in the form of plazas, walkways, shelters, sidewalks, viewing piers, and green space.

Not only do pedestrians have accessibility to the waterfront now, they have places in which to engage, to learn, to enjoy, and to play.

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site characterUnion Street and Redeveloped Waterfront Park

The new Waterfront Park and Union Street Bridge are the geographically and designed center of the new Seattle Central Waterfront. The pedestrian bridge is one of three. They form artistic wayfinding along the promenade, showcasing important east-west connections for the promenade. Each bridge has its own unique design, helping designate it from the others. They provide safe and easy access for pedestrians. The bridges carry pedestrians over vehicular traffic and bring people to the waterfront from topographically isolated streets, not to mention provide a great view of the waterfront and city skyline while doing so. Paving changes also designate heavy pedestrian crossing areas on the ground, alerting and slowing down those who still choose to drive.

A variety of walks provide artistic interest as well as divide the promenade into programmable spaces. During the day, regulars at the coffee shop enjoy the sea breeze and the view; A busker attempts to entertain passersby, while a jester entertains a group of kids; Couples stroll casually along the winding paths taking it all in. At night, the waterfront is still alive. Make shift concerts entertain while artistic lighting awes. High tide rolls in, submerging the terraced Waterfront Park. Businesses may close, but people continue to be drawn to the waterfront and exploration continues.

The detail plan reveals the intentional dominance of the pedestrian. While pedestrian bridges provide the safest crossing, there are also major pedestrian street crossings, marked by a change in pavement. A bioswale median takes the place of the central streetcar. A boardwalk provides a marked crossing for the pedestrian as well as allows a continuous flow of stormwater through the swale.

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Pike St. Section: 1”=30’-0”

Pike Street Pedestrian Bridge Addition and Design

Pike Street has an existing hill climb. However it can be difficult to find. When one reaches the top, it’s even harder to find the infamous market. The pedestrian bridge begins to eliminate these problems.

The bridge becomes an artistic wayfinding element. It connects to an existing pedestrian bridge is found at the top of the hill climb and that leads directly into the market. The bridge itself celebrates water. The fluid shape of it resembles the fluidity of water. Along the hill climb and under part of the bridge, existing terraced planters have been morphed into an artful stormwater display, similar to the one found on Vine Street. A sculpture of salmon jumping from terrace to terrace playfully celebrates the infamous salmon of Puget Sound, creatively leading from the bay to the fish market, pun intended. The celebration of water along this passage is appropriate seeing as it visually and physically connects the aquarium and the fish market.

The section also reveals the hierarchy of streetscape. The streetscapes of Western Ave and 1st Ave were also improved, encouraging more pedestrian access and signifying the relationship to the new, more natural waterfront.

At Pike Street, the streetcar system splits from the center of the road to wrap around existing condos and apartments and provide direct access to the stormwater park east of these. The split creates new opportunities for elements such as pocket parks.

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Interactive Tidal Pools

The new Waterfront Park terraces down to constructed and naturalistic tidal pools. The geometry of the tidal pools reflects the grid of the city. The literal breaking of this grid as one approaches the water level symbolizes the city meeting the water and the coexisting of nature and the city. Nature works with the grid, and the grid provides habitats that it once took away. The structural elements of the park also break down, from smooth surfaces to chiseled rock to rock debris.

Waterfront Park allows direct access to the water. Different levels will be revealed as the tide moves in and out. Located adjacent to the Seattle Aquarium, the tide pools become public educational tools for adults and children. It provides opportunities to learn about the ecology of Puget Sound and the coexisting of the two very different environments.

Union Street Pedestrian Bridge Addition and Design

This section of the new Union Street shows the improved vehicular and streetcar layout, but more importantly reveals the enhanced pedestrian circulation network that now includes wide medians and sidewalks and a pedestrian bridge. The sidewalks and streetscape will hopefully promote more north-south circulation while the pedestrian bridge should encourage more east-west circulation.

group manifestoThe process for finding a design solution for the Seattle waterfront began by reflecting back on our trip to Seattle two years ago in order to recall our personal experiences and opinions about the waterfront and the city of Seattle.

Our next step was to review competition entries from the chosen firms in order to help guide our analysis and to draw inspiration from. We then continued on with our own group analysis to determine the central focus of our design and establish design goals. The design process and production of this book was done as a group in order to ensure a cohesive result.

Kendra helped guide the team through seawall restoration and ecological design. Erin guided the team through transportation methods and road typologies. Kaitlin helped guide the team through facilitating pedestrian connections between the urban edge and the waterfront. We worked together to help graphically present these ideas through plans, sections, perspectives, diagrams, and vignettes.

Erin Trompeter

Erin is a fifth year Landscape Architecture student in the College of Architecture and Planning at Ball State University. She has interned at JJR, LLC in Chicago, IL and is interested in the fields of urban design and campus master planning.

Kaitlin Vaughn

Kaitlin is a fifth year Landscape Architecture student in the College of Architecture and Planning at Ball State University. She has interned with the Planning, Architecture, & Engineering department at Miami University in Oxford, OH and is interested in campus design, universal design, and community planning.

Kendra Prather

Kendra is a fifth year Landscape Architecture student in the College of Architecture and Planning at Ball State University. She has interned at Vega’s Landscaping and is interested in the fields of GIS, community planning, and stormwater management.

group bio