Nakano Associates

12 Nov

Veterans Day 2018

November 12, 2018 | By Admin |

In our continued work on projects that honor and help heal veterans, today we pay special respect and thank these soldiers and their families.

After 4 months of construction the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe Veterans Memorial park was ready for the Veterans Day Celebration that took place yesterday.

We thank the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe and their Veterans Committee for the opportunity to serve you and to provide the design for a place of gathering, remembrance and acknowledgement.

29 Aug

By Admin

Community Completed Works Design

A Case for Urban Edible Landscapes

August 29, 2018 | By Admin |

Backyard gardeners, urban farmers, and community plot garden hobbyist have made a huge wave in the Seattle region, bringing ‘grow-it-yourself’ culture into the mainstream. Unfortunately, not everyone has the same access to places for growing food, the time to spend in the garden, or even the ability to put in the work; so how can we integrate food producing plants into the urban environment that also allows access to fresh, healthy food? One of Nakano Associates most recent housing projects designed a landscape using food producing plants.

Sunset Court is Renton Housing Authority’s newest affordable housing community on 2 acres, here Nakano Associates and the project design team took the opportunity to integrate fruits, vegetables, nuts, and herbs into the beautifully planned landscape. With thoughtful species consideration, maintenance requirements of the edible landscape are similar to traditional landscapes, but also offer many delicious benefits. The landscape design at Sunset Court recognizes the effort and time it takes to maintain and harvest the plants and trees and also considers who will be utilizing the open space between planting and shrub areas. Being surrounded by multifamily buildings, the layout of the landscape prioritizes user enjoyment, both passively and actively, with places to play, sit quietly, or gather and socialize. At Sunset Court, the landscape design functionally integrates productive plant materials with other hardy ornamental choices which limits harvesting and maintenance requirements while ensuring the space has year-round aesthetic interest. Read More

28 Sep

By Admin

Community Design Works

Celebrating Kenichi’s Legacy

September 28, 2017 | By Admin |

Join us in remembering Kenichi’s life and work at an exhibit hosted by the UW Landscape Architecture department at Gould Hall on the UW Campus. This retrospective exhibit celebrates the life and career of Kenichi Nakano and shows a portfolio of projects from his more than 40-year career. As a founder of Nakano Associates, a professor at the UW landscape Architecture Department, and a mentor to many, Kenichi helped shape the contemporary profession of landscape architecture in the Pacific Northwest.

The exhibit is open September 27- December 8, 2017.

Gould Hall
3950 University Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105

Hours:
M-W, F 12 – 5 PM
Th 12 – 7 PM
Closed Nov 10, 23, 24

An exhibit reception will take place on November 16, 2017 from 6- 8pm.

Welcome Plaza: Where Beauty Meets Function

13 Jun

By Admin

Community Completed Works Design

Welcome Plaza: Where Beauty Meets Function

June 13, 2017 | By Admin |

It was with great joy and excitement that Mayor Jill Guernsey cut the ribbon for the long-awaited opening of Welcome Plaza at Skansie Brothers Park in Gig Harbor on Thursday, June 1^st. Representatives from Nakano Associates were there to celebrate the completion of this new plaza. There is more to the plaza than meets the eye: concealed in the restroom building and under the plaza itself is a new sewer lift station, which replaces a temporary lift station that was previously located in the park. Nakano Associates, as part of the Parametrix design team, worked closely with City of Gig Harbor staff to design the plaza and Skansie Brothers Park improvements. There were a number of parameters that needed to be met in the design of the plaza.

Placemaking parameters:

Creating a civic space for gatherings and celebrations in downtown Gig Harbor
Incorporating references to Gig Harbor’s maritime history, including the relocation of the Fishermen’s Memorial
Providing universal access to the plaza and Jerisich Dock
Creating a public space that is an attraction throughout the year

Utilitarian parameters:

Integrating the lift station in historic Skansie Brothers Park
Providing vehicular access to lift station across the plaza
Concealing the lift station dry well and associated utilities

The new plaza features stone paving reminiscent of seashells or beaches, and it integrates with Skansie Brothers Park through a series of undulating steps and a pathway leading down to Jerisich Dock. Low walls and picnic tables provide ample seating for picnics or for attending a summer concert.

Working with Brett Marlo Design and architect David K. Fisher, the design team selected cohesive materials such as granite stone, cedar, concrete and stainless steel to tie the plaza and the building together.

Read more about the project and the grand opening here.

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