Winter Quarter 2012 | Ballard | Instructor: Julie Johnson
Download the Ballard Studio Booklet
In Winter Quarter 2012, the University of Washington’s Landscape Architecture 402/Neighborhood Design studio engaged students in the Ballard/Crown Hill neighborhood, to envision how mass transit changes could be a foundation for designing a healthier neighborhood, within transit station areas and connecting with pedestrian, bicycle, and open space systems. METRO’s Rapid Ride D Line, scheduled to operate in autumn 2012, and a possible streetcar line identified for Ballard, provided the spatial framework. Members of the Ballard District Council and Ballard’s Neighborhood District Coordinator generously shared insights at the start of the studio and participated in reviewing the students’ proposals.
Taught by Associate Professor Julie Johnson, the studio’s 17 students conducted a neighborhood analysis through field work, meeting with community representatives and drawing from data. They studied and shared relevant design themes and precedents as references for their design work. Six groups selected a particular D Line station/stop, with one group focusing on the possible streetcar line. With an overarching goal of designing for a healthier neighborhood, ideas among their design visions included new development, a network of greenways, innovative bicycle parking, rain gardens, urban agriculture, and public art that would provide orientation and identity.
In addition to an interim and final presentation at Gould Hall, the students presented their visions at the March 14, 2012, Ballard District Council meeting.
This booklet presents the students’ design proposals for the six METRO Rapid Ride station areas and a proposed streetcar alignment with three stations indicated on the booklet cover.
The studio benefitted greatly from insights and contacts shared by Rob Mattson (Ballard’s Neighborhood District Coordinator) and from the insights of a group from the Ballard District Council that Rob assembled, a METRO Transportation Planner, City Staff, a Ballard Greenways representative, design professionals, and others affiliated with UW. Thanks to all these individuals.