Columbia Opportunity- Seattle Waterfront

3D map from Bing Map

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King county

Puget sound Seattle Si te

Coleman dock Ferry terminal

Columbia Opportunity Waterfront Seattle

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Columbia Opportunity Waterfront Seattle Spatial Relationship Google Map

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Coleman dock Ferry terminal

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Pioneer square

Pioneer square station

Potential beach area

Pier 48 (Potential park)

Waterfront landscape

the great Puget sound

Disconnection caused by viaduct

Urban landscape

Alaskan Viaduct (will be demolished in 2012)

Seattle downtown

Columbia Opportunity Waterfront Seattle

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Green St + Pedestrian Priority

Coleman dock Ferry Terminal

Pionee r square

Yesler Way

Alaskan Viaduct (will be demolished in 2012)

Government’s plan after Alaskan Viaduct is gone

Yesler Way

Waterfront

Key blocks of connection

New spatial relationship

City

Columbia Opportunity Waterfront Seattle

Precipitation in Seattle

Climate chart from CityRating.com

Only 71 sunny days a year

Our city is trying very hard on this

Climate chart from CityRating.com

Humid climate

Columbia Opportunity Waterfront Seattle

Current conditions Streetscape

Terrain

Terrain model of the southern district

Google Street view

Picture of driving on Columbia ramp (ramp will be demolished in 2012)

Columbia street section cut

Google Street view

Picture of walking beneath Columbia ramp, facing toward 1st Ave

Section of Columbia st.

Slope is steeler above 1st Ave Surface runoff is fast when rains

Columbia Opportunity Waterfront Seattle

Core Concepts

Landscape Urbanism

Various user needs There are three major users in this area: 1. Residents 2. Commuters 3. Tourists Commuters and tourists’ needs sometimes will conflict. For example, Commuters want fast access to the city (to work), on the other hand, tourists like to enjoy the space in a slow tempo.

A more sustainable site Columbia Opportunity/Solution

Seattle is a rainy city.

However, we are not dealing with rains very well.

How to make the space more sustainable by collecting and reusing rain water will be a focal point.

A better Connection A better connection between the waterfront and the city is needed.

“Waterfront users” also includes large amount of commuters from Coleman dock everyday.

How to use landscape design to enhance pedestrians’ space is an interesting question.

Columbia Opportunity Waterfront Seattle

Initial Ideas

To create an identity for the city and people

To improve the connection between land and water

Mixed use building facades and 24/7 landscape space create identity.

To enhance a better space for pedestrian

meandering path

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Columbia Opportunity Waterfront Seattle

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Quicker path for commuters

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public square that has movable chairs democratic urbanism major thematic landscape art subject, a half-demolished viaduct

Av e Reuse building facades as commercial uses ex: Cafes, restaurants, stores

diverse planting design that adds colors to the space

wooden deck passing area (floats when sea level rises)

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a better connection to Coleman dock

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Sculptures in pool. They provide resting areas for animals.

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tension structure

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Yesler Way

Stormwater filtration/retaintion pool

Columbia Opportunity Waterfront Seattle

Rain water flow Rain water collection pools located on greenroofs People in these buildings can use water from these pools.

Only overflow water goes into green street storm water filtration/retaintion structure Stormwater filtration/retaintion pools, fuctions as landscape element too

The entrance and uses

Green Roofs Rain water is clean, and it is cleaner than gray water.

In this design, the overflow rain water that is collected by these roofs will go into the stormwater retention structure at ground level and the landscape space.

Reuse Old Buildings- Mixuse Different types of uses have different time zones in a day. These uses can cover each other and activate the space. Also, it creates security.

An image of Entrance a giant tree that drops leaves will be an image of the entrance.

A better paving pattern This site plays a role of connector.

A better paving pattern creates a better space for connection.

Perspectives

Upper Columbia St

Columbia Opportunity Waterfront Seattle

Waterfall generated by harsh surface runoff from upper street the remaining viaduct, a landscape subject, a local identity Bamboo

Diverse planting selection restaurant/cafĂŠ

1st Ave

Space for everyone Landscape Urbanism

Perspective A

Lighting

Space for different time

Columbia Opportunity Waterfront Seattle

LED lights and spot lights create night time atmosphere

Columbia Opportunity Waterfront Seattle

Long term solution for climate change

Recent Alaskan Way Floating structure below decking area makes it floats

term 1 Alaskan Way (beneath sea level) Rain water wetland park still exists, functions as habitat The Floating Wetland idea Time line simulation: As sea level rises, Alaskan way will be covered by water after decades. The end of the Columbia St design allows the whole wetland structure floats. It not only provides habitats continuously, but also provides open space/ linear park for people in the future.

Also, it can be an alternative pier for future use.

term 2

Alternative pier, educational park