Kitsap Horizons

copyright schemata workshop inc.

copyright schemata workshop inc.

The battle between winter and summer gives the PNW its feisty spring season. Warm sunbreaks through the grey clouds remind us that summer is inevitable, but the rain and occasional blistery gust quickly pull the last threads of winter forward into the new year. 

One of the most spectacular places to see this battle unfold is on the Kitsap Peninsula. About this time of year in 2014, I had the opportunity to travel to the Kitsap for the first time. What I discovered was a place tucked between mountains and the misty din of Puget Sound. 

Indianola pier copyright schemata workshop inc.

Indianola pier copyright schemata workshop inc.

As a pro bono project, Schemata Workshop was working with Camp Indianola to re-envision their Campus. Originally built in 1957, some of the structures don’t recognize themselves as a place of retreat between prospect and refuge, literally and figuratively--city and nature, land and sea.

I had never heard of Camp Indianola, but their mission resonated: Camp Indianola is a part of the United Methodist Church and offers multi use facilities for groups and individuals regardless of religion, gender, or sexual orientation, (or any of the other qualities that so often separate people from each other.)

We were tasked with providing concept designs to help with their fundraising efforts. To begin these efforts, a co-worker and I went on a site visit. What a rough day :) 

We look forward to continuing our work with Camp Indianola, but in the meantime, we will enjoy the spring view!

- Roma 

copyright schemata workshop inc.

copyright schemata workshop inc.

Architectural Inspiration at BAM

image courtesy of brian driska

image courtesy of brian driska

Louis Kahn : The Power of Architecture, at the Bellevue Arts Museum, is hands-down the most inspiring exhibit I’ve seen in many years; and one that made me realize the breadth of Kahn's contribution to the field.  Covering projects of all scales, and composed of original sketches, photographs, film, and study models, visitors will get an intimate look at the development of his projects, as well as close collaboration with landscape architects, builders, theorists and engineers.  Highlights included the room-sized model of the tetrahedral Philadelphia City Tower project, space-frame models by Robert Le Ricolais, and working sketches of the projects for which Kahn is known.  Warning: this exhibit will make you want to sketch and build models.

Cheers!

 -The Froggers

Notes From the Field: CHUC

Last week, Guy and I did a walk-through of CHUC: Capitol Hill Urban Cohousing. Some quick background--this is a mixed use building with ground level commercial space to become Schemata Workshop’s new home and nine residential units above. But don’t be fooled: this isn’t your average four-over-one. Nine families joined together to self-develop CHUC as a vertical, or “stacked,” neighborhood. These families wanted an urban neighborhood that reflects their goals and values. Over the course of eight years, members worked together and, through a participatory process with non-hierarchical structure and decision making, CHUC was born

copyright schemata workshop inc.

copyright schemata workshop inc.

The saw dust settled long ago, and now the smell of freshly dried paint, and the low hum of heaters draws you through the spaces. All the units have floor to ceiling windows, but today the familiar views are hidden. The painters have sheathed the windows with craft paper to protect them from any over spray. The color of the paper lends the units a warm glow. 

copyright schemata workshop inc.

copyright schemata workshop inc.

From the exterior CHUC is dressed in its Sunday best. On the 12th Ave elevation, painting and storefront installation are complete. 

copyright schemata workshop inc.

copyright schemata workshop inc.

At Schemata, we're looking forward to moving into our new home later this spring!

- Roma

Best Urban Gardens in Seattle

Schemata Workshop will be hosting a model-building workshop for youth aged 11-16 on Saturday, March 26, in collaboration with the Seattle Architecture Foundation about the design of urban gardens (more information here).  We'll be exploring the issues we faced while designing the rooftop garden with Seattle Urban Farming Company at our new space and cohousing community. This got our froggers thinking about their favorite urban gardens in Seattle.  Here are some of our staff's well-loved lesser known parks in Seattle we hope you get to visit.  Happy exploring! 


Abigail's Pick:  Seven Hills Park (Capitol Hill)
1514 E Howell St, Seattle, WA 98122

"I feel like Seven Hills Park is a hidden gem, so I almost don’t want to share it, but it’s such a great spot. There’s a little community garden, some public grills and picnic tables, a few trees for shade, and an ample lawn perfect for laying out a…

"I feel like Seven Hills Park is a hidden gem, so I almost don’t want to share it, but it’s such a great spot. There’s a little community garden, some public grills and picnic tables, a few trees for shade, and an ample lawn perfect for laying out a blanket and sharing a picnic, readinga book, or just soaking up some late afternoon rays. It’s a little off the beaten path, and with Volunteer Park and Cal Anderson Park nearby, most of the visitors to Seven Hills Park live in the neighborhood, which makes for a cozy community feel even on the most crowded summer day.


Brian's Pick: Kubota Garden (Rainier Beach)
9817 55th Avenue S, Seattle, WA 98178

Kubota Garden.jpg

Grace's Pick: Belltown Cottage Park and P-Patch (Belltown)
2512 Elliott Ave, Seattle, WA 98121

"I like that people hang out there. It can be quite lovely on summer evenings to walk through and see people picnic as well as working on the lots."

"I like that people hang out there. It can be quite lovely on summer evenings to walk through and see people picnic as well as working on the lots."


Margaret's Pick: Streissguth Gardens (Capitol Hill)
1640 Broadway E, Seattle, WA 98102

"I love how tucked away this park is – if you’re coming from 10th it’s easy to miss the stairs that lead down to it.  The hillside gardens are really beautiful and have a wildness to them that I really like. There also is a pretty great view of…

"I love how tucked away this park is – if you’re coming from 10th it’s easy to miss the stairs that lead down to it.  The hillside gardens are really beautiful and have a wildness to them that I really like. There also is a pretty great view of Lake Union and the Olympic Mountains from the top."


Mike's Pick: Loveless Building Courtyard (Capitol Hill)
806 E Roy St, Seattle, WA 98102

"The Loveless Building scale is outstanding along the sidewalk, as is the material textures, and expression of uses. The glimpse of the courtyard seen passing by the gate is very compelling, followed by the traditional sequence of compression of vie…

"The Loveless Building scale is outstanding along the sidewalk, as is the material textures, and expression of uses. The glimpse of the courtyard seen passing by the gate is very compelling, followed by the traditional sequence of compression of view in the tunnel, and expansion into the garden, and the tree canopy overhead."

Mira's Pick: Waterfall Garden Park (Pioneer Square)
219 2nd Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104

"Waterfall Garden Park is such a secret oasis in the middle of the of Pioneer Square.  I love taking visitors there when touring Pioneer Square since the waterfall and lushness makes for a nice break from the noise and harshness of the city."

"Waterfall Garden Park is such a secret oasis in the middle of the of Pioneer Square.  I love taking visitors there when touring Pioneer Square since the waterfall and lushness makes for a nice break from the noise and harshness of the city."


Roma's Pick: Federal Courthouse Plaza (Downtown)
700 Stewart St, Seattle, WA 98101

"While there is a lot of critique regarding the Federal Courthouse Plaza, and though some of it is valid, I just really love the space."

"While there is a lot of critique regarding the Federal Courthouse Plaza, and though some of it is valid, I just really love the space."


Will's Pick: Guerrila Gardens
Throughout Seattle

"Guerilla Gardening happens when people garden in places where they don't have a legal right to utilize the property, like these little traffic roundabouts that you find all over Seattle.  I find it so neat that people have taken it upon themse…

"Guerilla Gardening happens when people garden in places where they don't have a legal right to utilize the property, like these little traffic roundabouts that you find all over Seattle.  I find it so neat that people have taken it upon themselves to garden wherever they can and to beautify their environment. It really adds to the city."

Cheers!

-The Froggers

 

*All images courtesy of Wikimedia Commons and Google Streetview.