What We Do: Accomplishments

Visual Resume

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The Grass Blades

(Photo by Benjamin Benshneider.)


Facts

  • Name: The Grass Blades
  • Goal: to screen a parking lot to the north of the Experience Music Project and to create a new sense of entry to the Seattle Center at Harrison Street.
  • Year Built: 2002
  • Address: 305 Harrison Street
  • Client: Seattle Center
  • Designer: r-b-f Architecture
  • Cost: $500,000
  • Awards: 2002 American Institute of Architects Merit Award
  • Design Commission Reviews:
    • schematic design (December 6, 2001)

Design Commission's Influence
The Design Commission believed the Seattle Center's designer was too timid with its approach to the design of the wall, especially given that it was next to the Experience Music Project and would serve as a gateway to the Seattle Center.

The Design Commission made several recommendations to the Seattle Center and its design team:

Overall Concept and Direction

  • engage an artist who would consider this an opportunity to create a unique, distinct project
  • rethink the project by simplifying the overall approach to the wall design
  • add details that are complementary to the theme and responsive to the context


Wall of fins. (Photo by Benjamin Benshneider.)

Design Refinements

  • incorporate social spaces and opportunities for seating
  • protect the ends of the walls
  • frame the wall with piers to create strong openings that function as gateways
  • design the footings for the wall to be sensitive to the existing tree roots


Moveable fins. (Photo by Benjamin Benshneider.)

See other projects in the Visual Resume.

Last Updated: April 26, 2007