On Monday, December 8, the University of Washington College of Built Environments Scan Design Foundation Interdisciplinary Design Studio brought together students, faculty, and community members at the National Nordic Museum for a public review focused on the future of the Ballard waterfront. The event marked the conclusion of a quarter-long studio and a two-week early fall study abroad in Copenhagen as part of the Scan Design Foundation’s Landscape Architecture and Ecological Urbanism program.
Led by Vincent Javet, assistant teaching professor in landscape architecture, the studio combines international study with interdisciplinary collaboration on local projects. Students work across planning, design, and research to develop proposals that respond to Seattle’s public spaces and waterfronts.
This year, students developed integrated proposals for the former Yankee Diner site near the 24th Avenue NW shoreline street end and the surrounding Salmon Bay. Their work addressed long-term planning frameworks spanning 10 to 25 years, mid-term park and site designs spanning 5 to 10 years, and near-term urban activations spanning 0 to 5 years. The proposals responded to the ecological, industrial, and cultural conditions of the area.