3D map from Bing Map
WA
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