reconnecting land + sea
Seattle’s downtown waterfront is undergoing a radical transformation. Now that the 1960s elevated highway has been torn down and replaced with a tunnel, construction of a fully transformed waterfront is underway. With landscape design that will stretch the extent of downtown, Waterfront Park will feature a new promenade, landscape, bike trail, public art, and a sweeping pedestrian bridge connecting downtown to the water.
Working in close collaboration with Seattle’s Office of the Waterfront, a team of cultural consultants, and landscape designers James Corner Field Operations, we are designing interpretive signs and wayfinding for the entire park. We have also developed a new visual brand for the park with Friends of the Waterfront, who will maintain and program this iconic public space after construction is complete.
The Docks + Piers
CONTEXT
ideated, designed and finalized a series of interpretation and wayfinding — 1 year (of decade-long ongoing project)
Studio + Client
Studio Matthews for Seattle Parks + Friends of the Waterfront
Problem Space
How might we guide the narrative and uncover the history of Seattle's largest civic project?
t̕igʷiciD
means 'thank you' in Lushootseed. It has been a pleasure uncovering the diverse histories and futures of Seattle's Waterfront. Big kudos to my CD, Nicole, our historian Jennifer, and our FOTW liaison Ruri. Excited to see how this project evolves and grows as we near installation and into perpetuity.