Rebuilding Community

Project Title

Students: First Last; First Last
Studio: ARCH 404 — Instructor Name — Spring 2025
Location: City, State

Project Description

A vacant waterfront lot in Seattle’s Duwamish River industrial corridor has been transformed into a vibrant public park that reconnects residents to the shoreline. The design integrates restored tidal wetlands with elevated boardwalks, creating space for both people and wildlife. Native plantings stabilize the shoreline, improve habitat for migrating salmon, and help filter stormwater runoff before it enters the river. This ecological focus is paired with welcoming public spaces, including shaded seating areas, a kayak launch, and interpretive signage that shares the site’s history and cultural significance.

Caption describing the image.

The project’s design process emphasized collaboration with local Indigenous communities and nearby residents. Feedback from workshops directly shaped the programming, from culturally significant plant selections to the inclusion of open areas for community gatherings. Reclaimed timber from demolished pier structures was used throughout the site, reducing waste and adding visual warmth. The result is a space that balances environmental restoration with active public use, turning an underused industrial site into a beloved community destination and a living classroom for urban ecology.