Seattle Design Commission -- Workshops

What We Do: In Depth

Workshops

David Spiker (2002-2006) leads the Commission in a discussion during the Alaskan Way Surface Design Workshop.

The Design Commission convenes workshops to foster the discussion of design issues and develop design guidelines for projects that have a citywide impact. Often, the Commission is asked to participate by project proponents or city officials.

Examples include:

Public Safety Building Site Workshop (Sep 2006)

How should the public spaces of the former Public Safety Building site, located next to the City's civic campus, be designed? The Design Commission led numerous parties to define the design parameters for the site, guided by its belief that the public/private partnership capitalize on the site's unique civic design potential.

Workshop contributors:

Mayor's Office
Seattle City Council
Department of Fleets and Facilities
Department of Planning and Development
Seattle Planning Commission
Seattle Design Commission
Staubach RE Consultants

Results:

developed recommedations for the site's design in these 4 areas:
- size/configuration
- context and adjacent uses
- programming
- character of public spaces

Download the Public Safety Building Workshop Report.

Alaskan Way Surface Design Workshops (Mar-May 2005)

What criteria should guide the design of the surface of the new Alaskan Way, waterfront promenade, and lid? The Design Commission held three workshops in early 2005 to examine the urban design implications of replacing the Alaskan Way Viaduct and the Seawall with a tunnel, the City and State’s preferred alternative. The Design Commission provided direction on key design issues including the future surface street alignment, the redevelopment of Colman Dock, the future of Piers 62/63, and the configuration of a “lid” structure over the tunnel leading up to Pike Place Market.

Workshop contributors:

Mayor's Office
Seattle Department of Transportation
Washington State Department of Transportation
Seattle Design Commission

Results:

developed design guidelines

Download the Future of Alaskan Way Report.

Waterfront Visioning Charrette (Mar 2004)
How would Seattle redesign its waterfront if the Alaskan Way Viaduct is removed?

Contributors:

Department of Planning and Development
Seattle Department of Transportation
Washington State Department of Transportation
Seattle Design Commission
Seattle Planning Commission

Results:

developed 32 different design schemes

Visit the Waterfront Visioning website.

see all workshops

Last Updated: June 6, 2007

What's New

NEXT MEETING
April 3, 2008
See the agenda.

RECOMMENDATIONS
Viaduct Replacement
The Seattle Design Commission evaluated the two alternatives for the Viaduct replacement. Read the press release (1/19/2007) and letter (2/13/2006) to the Mayor and City Council. In an earlier letter (7/21/2004), the Commission evaluated all alternatives.

SR 520 Bridge Replacement
The Seattle Design Commission believes it is premature to endorse the 6-lane option for the 520 bridge replacement and that the best mobility and urban design solution might rest in a yet-to-be-developed hybrid alternative. Read the letter (10/6/2006) to the Mayor and City Council.

The Commission is concerned about the impacts of the Pacific Interchange and recommends honing a 4-Lane hybrid option for SR 520. Read the letter (10/31/2006) to the Washington State Department of Transportation regarding their Draft Environmental Impact Statement.

Public Safety Building Site Redevelopment
The Seattle Design Commission recommends the Public Safety Building site be redeveloped to create a great public space to complete the City's civic campus. Read the report (9/2006).

Waterfront Plan
The Seattle Design Commission supports the City's Central Waterfront Plan and the Department of Planning and Development as the lead agency in its development. Read the letter (2/13/2006) to the Mayor and City Council, and an earlier letter (8/17/2005).

VISUAL RESUME

The Grass Blades
See the AIA award-winning The Grass Blades at the Seattle Center and how the Design Commission's review made a difference in the development of this project. Open the Visual Resume.

photo by Benjamin Benschneider

ANNUAL REPORT

2006 Report
In 2006, the Design Commission reviewed $8.99 billion worth of public projects. For details, see the commission's annual report.

Seattle Design Commission

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