Celebrating 25 Years
April 6, 2015 | By Admin |
Founded in 1989, this year Nakano Associates is celebrating 25 years of business. To track the quarter century history of our firm, we have curated a list of signature projects from each year.
Looking back at 25 years of work, Nakano Associates’ landscapes have become integral to the Northwest experience. Below is a virtual tour of five projects around Seattle. As plantings have grown to maturity and community traditions have developed, these urban landscapes have become even better with age.
Sam Smith Park – 1991
1400 Martin Luther King Jr Way S, Seattle, WA 98144
The Master Plan for the Seattle I-90 Lid, now Sam Smith Park, included one soccer field, one soccer/football field, six tennis courts, four basketball courts, two children’s play areas, a regional bicycle path, a community center, wading pools, and picnic areas.
As a community recreation hub and bicycle highway, it’s hard to imagine I-90 before it had a lid.
International Fountain and Mall – 1995
At the heart of the Seattle Center
This award-winning project encompassed the master planning through construction administration of the renovation of the International Fountain and Mall, the center of the Seattle Center. The fountain was completely renovated with new structural, mechanical, electrical, lighting and water systems.
As the centerpiece of Seattle Center festivals and an unbeatable destination on hot days, the International Fountain has earned a special place in the hearts of Seattleites.
Fairview Park – 1999
2900 Fairview Ave E, Seattle, WA 98102
Work on this park began with a master plan for the site on Lake Union’s Waterway 11. Strongly supported by community members, development of this park was part of the original Olmsted Plan for Seattle. The design maximizes the park’s water-related activities by providing four key elements: a non-motorized boat launch, a viewing dock to observe spawning salmon, a commercial waterfront, and interpretive displays of native shore plants.
The Fairview Park and P-Patch continues to be loved and cared for by the neighbors who originally saved it from development.
Union Station Square – 2000
3rd Ave S & S Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98104
Located across from the King Street Station at the highly visible gateway between Pioneer Square and the International District, this project involved coordination with local neighborhood groups, Historic Seattle, Seattle Arts Commission, an artist, SEATRAN (now SDOT), Metro, and Seattle Parks Department. Design elements include granite seating/art, preservation of significant existing trees, new street trees, new sidewalks and accent paving, steps, bus shelters, and historic pedestrian and street lighting.
Many of the individual-sized seats in the Square are used at any given moment, especially with the excellent southern exposure.
Capitol Hill Library – 2003
425 Harvard Ave E, Seattle, WA 98102
Nakano Associates was a member of the design team for the Capitol Hill Library with Cutler Architects and Johnston Architects. The design used vine-clad screens in conjunction with the building’s structure to create “living architecture.” The green screen wall of vines moves from the building’s exterior and into a dramatic central interior space.
As the green wall vines have filled in, the Capitol Hill Library provides a refreshing respite in the urban neighborhood and a calming experience for library users.
We hope you enjoyed the virtual tour! Now check out the full collection of projects from each year.
