2007 Design Excellence Awards

Ella Bailey Park
2601 W Smith St.

Rendering by Jennifer Reese, courtesy of Site Workshop.

Ella Bailey Park is located on a 3.8 acre site on the eastern slope of Magnolia ridge and offers a panoramic view of downtown Seattle and Elliott Bay. The view has always been breathtaking and the purposefully restrained design honors and underscores this quality. The proponents used the limited project funding very strategically. By creatively using the slopes to form great site walls to frame the park, the design cleverly transforms a square, former asphalt playground of Magnolia Elementary into a great balance of spaces and experiences. It includes a natural amphitheater, a children's play area, basketball courts, swings, picnic tables, seat walls designed to encourage skateboarding, and a playfield large enough for youth soccer.

Project Manager(s):

  • Patrick Donohue, Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation

Designer(s):

  • Mark Brands, SiteWorkshop, Landscape Architects

Project notable for:

  • restrained design, which honors and underscores the quality of the view
  • balance of spaces, which transforms the park into a varied experience
  • creative use of the slopes
  • strategic approach to best utilize limited project funding

Broadview Library
12755 Greenwood Ave. N.

Courtesy of Miller Hayashi Architects.


The Broadview library addition and remodel provide a pleasing balance of playfulness with rigor and thoughtful detailing. The existing 1960s building was artfully tied into the new portion of the building, providing connection and continuity. Circulation was simplified and clarified with the new design.  More light is allowed into the library space while the gentle sloping forms and cedar finishes of the “parent” building are drawn upon. The Greenwood Avenue façade and building massing connect the library to the busy urban life outside. The playful drama of the columns and beams at the entrance, as well as the relocation of existing wood panel artwork by Marvin Oliver to the north east corner of the site, further lend a civic presence both outside and within the building.

Project Manager(s):

  • Justine Kim, Seattle Public Library
  • Glenn Osako, Seattle Public Library

Designer(s):

  • Brad Miller, Miller Hayashi Architects
  • Bruce Hayashi, Miller Hayashi Architects
  • Morgan Elliott, Miller Hayashi Architects

Project notable for:

  • balance of playfulness with rigor and thoughtful detailing
  • provision of connection and continuity between the old and new portions of the building
  • simplification and clarification of circulation and provision of more light to the interior
  • creation of a civic presence along Greenwood Avenue through building massing and playfully dramatic entrance sequence

South Park Library
8604 Eighth Ave. S. at South Cloverdale Street

Courtesy of Johnston Architects.

The South Park Library is a new, 5,000 sq ft branch library in southwest Seattle, the first in the neighborhood. By celebrating its context, the library offers some nice ties to the regional neighborhood, such as the river in the piazza, which alludes to the area’s history. The ties are literal as well, as the piazza effectively embraces the public space and the sidewalk. Also, the artwork, which is cost-effective and simple, responds to and engages the community. The library’s design is subtle, clean, and well executed. It is a very pleasing project with simple materials and serves as a beacon for the neighborhood.

Project Manager(s):

  • Frank Coulter, Seattle Public Library

Designer(s):

  • Ray Johnston, Johnston Architects
  • Mary Johnston, Johnston Architects
  • Marc Pevoto, Johnston Architects

Project notable for:

  • design of spaces that express a rich balance of scale and material contrast , appropriate for the neighborhood and site
  • execution with simple materials and thoughtful detailing
  • incorporation of ties to the neighborhood and its history
  • celebration and reflection of local culture through design
  • creation of a place which serves as a beacon for the neighborhood
  • effective and functional design within a tight budget

Northgate Library, Community Center and Park
10548 Fifth Ave. N.E.

Courtesy of The Miller | Hull Partnership.

The Northgate Community Center, library, and park is a welcoming site that successfully integrates a variety of public activities. With its collection of forms and spaces it clearly says, “We’re here together.” The urban park is well-connected to the plaza and playground, and as the vegetation matures the public green space will gain ever more presence in its surroundings.  Attention to the south light links the experiences of each of the spaces on the site together.  By providing the community center with a strong, clean and readable spine, the designers have made it easy to understand and navigate. The use of thoughtful detailing raises the bar for quality development in the district and development of the project serves as an important step toward the urban future of the neighborhood.

Project Manager(s):

  • David Kunselman, Seattle Public Library
  • Tim Motzer, Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation

Designer(s):

  • Bob Hull, Miller Hull Partnership
  • Scott Wolf, Miller Hull Partneship
  • Ruth Coates, Miller Hull Partnership

Project notable for:

  • creation of a welcoming site with well-integrated activities
  • placement of the buildings and strong, clean, readable “spine” of the community center
  • pursuit of LEED rating for the entire project, integration of surface water and open space design, and intention to create a pesticide free park
  • cooperation among agencies to tie together all of the pieces of this project
  • substantial contribution to an urban future for this neighborhood

SDOT Art Plan

Courtesy of Daniel Mihalyo and SDOT.

The SDOT art plan, developed by Daniel Mihalyo, is a proactive and informative document that offers a multitude of ideas and opportunities for creativity in the City of Seattle’s right-of-way.  It presents a visual vocabulary that sets a tone for future decisions in our neighborhood, corridor and transportation planning. The approach is practical and inspirational, paving the way for planners, artists, project mangers and SDOT employees for quality design in Seattle’s urban environment. This plan celebrates life, discovery and creativity in Seattle's public places.

Project Manager(s):

  • Ruri Yamplosky, Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs
  • Bill Martin, Seattle Department of Transportation

Designer(s):

  • Daniel Mihalyo, Lead Pencil Studio

Project notable for:

  • concern for not only the big picture but also the finer details of the public realm
  • broad multidisciplinary reach of the plan
  • matrix to help the users and decision makers recognize potential art opportunities
  • compilation of Seattle’s innovative public art history