Meeting Minutes - Office of Planning & Budgeting (OPB)

University Landscape Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes 

Thursday – March 10, 2011 UW Club, Lower Level 

Meeting Agenda Summary: 

Mercer Hall – Schematic Design 

Terry/New Lander Hall – Schematic Design 

Burke Gilman Trail Study – Master Plan 

POE Sustainability Studio Class Presentation - Informational 

E-Court Landscape – Concept Design 

Pend Oreille Entrance & Edges – Concept Design 

Burke Museum – Pre-Design 

Committee Members UW Department, Title Email Address 

Present 

x Jeff Hou, Chair (#1) College of Built Environments, Assoc. Professor jhou@u.washington.edu 

x Darlene Zabowski (#2) Forest Resources, Associate Professor zabow@u.washington.edu 

x Robert Edmonds (#3) Forest Resources, Professor bobe@u.washington.edu 

x Nancy Rottle (#4) Asst. Professor, Landscape Architecture nrottle@u.washington.edu 

x Daniel Winterbottom (#5) Assoc. Professor, Landscape Architecture nina@u.washington.edu 

x Margaret Johnson (#6) Johnson Southerland, Principal mjohnson@johnsonsoutherland.com 

x Jennifer Jones (#7) Carol R. Johnson Associates, Principal jjones@crja.com 

x Jill Morelli (#8) Director of Facilities, UW Medicine jmorelli@u.washington.edu 

x Lea Anne Burke (#9) College of Built Environments, MLA candidate laburke@u.washington.edu 

x Ben Streissguth (#11) Grounds Maintenance bstreiss@u.washington.edu 

x Howard Nakase (#12) Grounds Maintenance, Grounds Mgr. hmnakase@u.washington.edu 

x Rebecca Barnes (#13) Office of Planning & Budgeting, Architect rgbarnes@u.washington.edu 

x Kristine Kenney (#14) CPO, Campus Landscape Architect kkenney@u.washington.edu 

x Ann Marie Borys (#15) Evans School, Assistant Dean amborys@u.washington.edu 

x Thaisa Way (#16) College of Built Environments, Assoc. Professor tway@u.washington.edu 

Mercer Hall 

Bob Baldwin, UW Project Manager 

Cara Godwin & David Heater, Ankrom Moisan Architects 

Rachel Sayers, Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios 

Jennifer Guthrie & Tess Schiavone, Gustafson Guthrie Nichol 

Project Phase: Schematic Design 

Requested Action: Approval 

The project focus is community; establishing roots and reaching out to the greater community. The four 

principles of design are: 

1. Build community 

2. Maximize the sites unique position on campus 

3. Create a safe environment 

4. Enhance environmental stewardship 

The design team went through a series of analysis images including connections, signature views. 

streetscapes and circulation. The total area of the site is 4.2 acres, of which 2.6 acres are landscape. This is 

broken down further with ½ acre of plaza and ¼ acre reserved for the urban farm. The concept and 

character of the site is to create an iconic landscape opportunity that embraces the beauty of the site and 

epitomizes a typical Seattle hillside and water landscape. 

The architectural concept embraces the notion of community in the configuration of rooms clustered 

around common stair towers accessed from arcades off the plaza and a variety of common rooms at the 

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plaza level. The project includes a 211,000-gallon cistern to be used for laundry and irrigation. The building 

materials include a dark colored clinker brick for the base, a glazed brick at the water line and 3 different 

colors of metal siding for the upper floors. 

The landscape is designed to provide the connective fabric that ties the entire project together rather than 

create independent landscapes between the buildings. There are three primary planting zones: the Burke 

Gilman trail consisting of large canopy trees that turn golden in the fall; the horizon line which lifts the eyes 

to the water and views above, screening out the noise along the water edge; and the UW Farm consisting 

of permanent edible shrubs, active lawn areas and rotating crop beds. In total, the project will be removing 

97 trees (11 to be transplanted) and replacing 54 trees on site. An additional 43 trees will be planted 

elsewhere on campus. 

Pedestrian, bicycle and partial vehicular circulation will flow through the site from the Cowlitz Road and the 

Burke Gilman trail to Pacific Street via Adams Lane to the east and Eastlake Ave to the west. 

The plaza is designed to accommodate daily use as well as large social gatherings like concerts, movies and 

barbeques for up to 500 people. The plaza is a pivotal part of the site design and supports the coffee 

roaster at the east, the great room in the center and a conference room at the west. The grading for the 

plaza creates a shallow bowl in the center, breaking down the scale of the space and enhancing the sense 

of a space within the larger context. 

Committee comments: 

The committee had general appreciation for the integration of the Urban Farm into the outdoor 

program, but expressed concern regarding the privacy of units adjacent to the farm, connection with 

the residents of the buildings, ensuring the functional requirements for maintenance are provided, and 

providing a permanent structure to the farm that will be present in all seasons. 

The committee would like to see the rainwater harvesting aspect of the project more visible. 

The connection along the west side of the site is weak and not in character with the rest of the site. If 

there is potential to improve the function of the space under the bridge to make it more useful, that 

would be most desirable. 

There was concern about the corridor effect of Pacific with the addition of 7-story buildings being 

constructed so close to the back of sidewalk. 

Committee Action: Jennifer made a motion to recommend approval of schematic design, with 

the understanding the committee felt the design was more conceptual level and not complete 

schematic design. Daniel seconded the motion. Committee voted to recommend approval of 

schematic design. 

Terry/ New Lander Hall 

Troy Stahlecker, UW Project Manager 

Bill LaPatre, Bert Gregory & Deb Guenther, Mithun 

Project Phase: Schematic Design 


Phase 1 of the Terry Lander project will be the construction of new Lander on the eastern portion of the 

site. The program goals are: 




1. Support community 

2. Create a safe and secure landscape 

3. Provide a variety of open spaces 

4. Allow for flexible use 

5. Express the interior program on the outside 

6. Reinforce the urban neighborhood character 

7. Develop places for living 

8. Provide access to light and air – biophylic 

The ground level uses of new Lander are all public: lobbies, dining and regional desk, and provide many 

opportunities to active the urban environment. The streets surrounding the site offer unique challenges 

and opportunities given the grades, active uses and connectivity to the adjacent sites. Campus Parkway, 

11 th and Brooklyn will feel lush and green. Lincoln Way and 12 th will feel more urban in character. 

Campus Parkway is designed to continue the streetscape character proposed in the Phase 1 student 

housing with broad sidewalks and large canopy trees. Brooklyn will extend the greenstreet character with 

a sidewalk separated from the street by a plant bed with shrubs and large canopy trees. Lincoln Way is a 

shared street for cars, bikes and pedestrians and will have areas of outdoor dining to maximize the 

southern exposure. There is a study underway to explore the potential to turn Lincoln Way into a one-way 

route to maximize clarity of flow and transient parking. 

11 th and 12 th Aves are pedestrian only and are designed to provide flexible use for daily activities and 

special events. 12 th Ave provides an accessible route from Campus Parkway to Lincoln Way and connects to 

new Lander at 3 levels. Terraced plazas provide breakout space for the adjacent dining activities and are 

defined by linear planting beds designed to process storm water. 

The upper courtyard of new Lander is designed to provide a green oasis for the rooms above and a more 

private outdoor seating area connected to the lounge and laundry rooms. A north-south deck is designed 

with multiple options for seating and provides a small overlook along Lincoln Way. The central portion of 

the courtyard is a raised planter with larger deciduous trees interspersed with skylights to the dining below. 

The tree canopy cover on site is approximately 33,000 sf. The new tree planting will provide approximately 

18,000 sf cover in 5 years, 29,000 sf in 15 years and 48,000 sf in 30 years. 


The committee appreciated the design development of the outdoor spaces. 

There was concern expressed regarding the functionality of Lincoln Way and the desire to retain the 

sense of ‘green’ it currently has while promoting multi-modal circulation in a curb-less environment. 

The committee encouraged the consultant to explore the potential to provide a canopy or pergola to 

provide more seasonal use and express the storm water collection as a significant feature within the 

12 th Ave corridor. 

The committee noted there is a South Lake Union UWMC shuttle that stops along Campus Parkway and 

requires a designated stop. 

There was concern regarding the maintenance access for the courtyard and ensuring this is built into 

the project. 

Committee Action: Nancy made a motion to recommend approval of schematic design. 

Daniel seconded the motion. Committee voted to recommend approval of schematic design. 




Burke Gilman Trail Study 

Andy Casillas, UW Project Manager 

Dave Rogers, SvR 

Project Phase: Master Plan 

Requested Action: Informational 

The goal of the study is to anticipate future demand along the Burke Gilman trail and develop sustainable 

recommendations to continue safe mobility for pedestrians and bicyclists, as regional commuters and as 

campus patrons. 

Currently the trail has areas with restricted sightlines and widths, crossing conflicts between pedestrians 

and bicyclists, low bridge clearances (under 10 ft), and numerous utilities located under the pavement and 

at bridge crossing. The design team conducted traffic counts over a 12-hour period in October to collect 

data and have used this information to generate projected demand for 2030. 

The methodology used to model trail width based on use, separates modes of travel, creating a more 

efficient trail cross-section and a Level of Service A for both bicyclists and pedestrians without platooning 

(walking in groups). The recommendation is to provide a 10 ft wide pedestrian path in areas of highest 

pedestrian flows and a 14 ft wide bicycle path. Different surface materials, concrete for pedestrians and 

asphalt for bicycles, will help to define different modes of travel. 

Additional design elements to be studied but not presented include treatment of gateways, major trail 

crossings, lighting, wayfinding, trees and vegetation. Current recommendations for trail crossings include 

raised tables, signage, and lighting to clarify right of way for pedestrians and bicyclists. 


The committee questioned the conclusion to provide a level of service ‘A’ trail system for the peak 

period quantity of bicyclists and pedestrians projected in the year 2030. 

There was concern regarding how the findings and recommendations of the study will be applied to the 

campus and the effect long-term phasing may have on compliance. 

There was general support for providing separated paths for different modes of travel. 

Committee Action: This presentation was informational only, no action was taken. 

POE Sustainability Studio Class Presentation 

Justin Hellier, Duncan Clauson, Shane Sobotka, Nika Novak, Jessica Kang- Students 

Project Phase: Study 


The FYI Studio was a general admissions class taught in the fall quarter of 2010 with a focus on the 

importance of habitat and biodiversity on campus. The class reviewed issues of habitat loss resulting in 

habitat fragmentation, encroachment of invasive species, increase in impermeable surfaces and loss of biodiversity. 

It also explored the benefits of habitat for biogeochemical cycling, ecosystem services, education 




and intrinsic values. They defined habitat as food, water, shelter and space and the balance of human vs. 

wildlife needs. Three projects were developed and presented. 

Project #1 proposed policy to incorporate habitat into the built environment citing key opportunities for 

vegetated roofs, increased stormwater permeability, habitat gardens and management of existing 

landscapes. Project #2 proposed the restoration of Kincaid Ravine to remove invasive species and create 

habitat with native species, understanding the concern for cost, safety and project feasibility. Project #3 

recommends installing barn owl boxes on campus to attract natural rodent predators and provide an 

educational opportunity for the campus community. They have applied for and received a Campus 

Sustainability Fund grant to install 3 owl boxes and are exploring viability of locations near Denny Field, the 

Union Bay Natural Area and the buffer along 45 th , north of the Burke Museum. 


The committee appreciated the research and recommendations provided by the students and 

encouraged them to present this at other forums outside the University. 

They also supported the concepts presented regarding incorporating habitat into the build 

environment, restoring the Kincaid Ravine and installing owl boxes around campus. 


E-Court Landscape 

Everett Spring, UW Project Manager 

Barbara Swift & Liz Browning, Swift Company 

Project Phase: Design Development 


The 130 x 100 foot courtyard is all on structure, surrounded on three sides with building walls extending 

50-75 ft, and has great southern exposure. Currently, the project is not funded for construction, but water 

infiltration issue into the work-spaces below the plaza has prompted the redesign of the courtyard. The 

design team has worked with the adjacent users: the School of Dentistry, the Plaza Café and research 

offices to develop the proposed landscape program, goals and aspirations, and design form. 

The priorities defined by the stakeholders group was to provide a gathering space for up to 50 people, 

create visual interest and source of life from within and outside the building and design the space to be 

practical in terms of flexibility of use and maintenance. The design creates layers of open spaces with more 

intimate spaces throughout and a sense of separation for privacy between inside and out. 

The design resolution is a series of horizontal bands of planting and seating, mimicking the horizontality of 

the building fenestration and masonry. Tilted landforms within low, raised, rusted steel edged beds 

provide seating at the ends of lush planting. Grading of the plaza to accommodate universal access creates 

areas of low steps, which add informal seating options. Rectangular pavers on pedestals alternate in color 

to accentuate the banding pattern and create visual interest in the ground plane. Low water tables made 

of built-up slate create a passive water feature by collecting rain and reflecting light. 




The planting alternates from dark green dense planting bands to paler, light green bands that move in the 

breeze. Rows of bamboo are strategically planted to screen lower floor windows but allow for views out to 

the courtyard. Chinese Paper Birch are proposed scattered through the plaza to provide an overhead 

canopy with light shade and attract birds. 

Lighting is subtle in nature and is provided under the benches, in the stair rails, at building entries, through 

the water tables and within the armature of the bamboo. The intent is to create visual interest from above 

and light the pavement surfaces enough to provide safe passage. 


The committee expressed concern about the maintenance and access to the lawn if it is raised above 

the plaza level. 

The committee liked the concept presented, but would like to see the plan simplified slightly to ensure 

the free flow of movement from the stairs to the main building entrance and better understand how 

the bands relate to the folding grades. 

The consultant was encouraged to explore a planting palette that will attract birds, as outlined in the 

goals, and to focus more attention on the forecourt. 

Focus on the forecourt is important to set the tone for the remainder of the courtyard and should be 

more fully incorporated into the design. 

Committee Action: Maggi made a motion to recommend approval of design 

development. Daniel seconded the motion. Committee voted to recommend approval 

of design development. 

Pend Oreille Entrances & Edges 

Randy Everett, UW Project Manager 

Barbara Swift & Caitlin Evans, Swift Company 

Project Phase: Concept Design 


The goals and objectives for the project are: to express a sense of welcome with clear visual clues and 

transitions to reduce anxiety and confusion for the first time visitor; create a gateway in scale with the 

surrounding context and in character with the campus; and communicate connections to the regional 

landscape. The project is defined by various zones of transition including the roadways, the hillside of the 

core campus, the flats of east campus, and the campus entry. 

The landscape patterns found within the existing context of the site are extended in all directions and 

overlap, providing clarity and strong visual continuity enhancing identity, wayfinding, and sense of arrival. 

The landscape edges of Montlake Boulevard and NE 45 th St are defined with multiple rows of large 

deciduous trees to establish an appropriate scale and boulevard effect. The intersection at Pend Oreille, 

Montlake Boulevard and NE 44 th Place is defined by a grid of tall, narrow, deciduous trees under planted 

with low growing grasses, recalling the landscape found in the Union Bay Natural Area. Pend Oreille is 

defined by a row of tall deciduous trees under planted with low growing shrubs, separating the sidewalk 

from the road on both sides. 




Large scale recommendations include: relocating the gatehouse further away from the intersection of 

Mason Road to provide improved sightlines for vehicles and pedestrians; removing parking adjacent to 

Montlake Boulevard to improve the visual qualities of the entrance; realigning the end of Pend Oreille to be 

perpendicular with Montlake Boulevard; lowering the Burke Gilman trail to go under Pend Oreille to 

eliminate the conflict between bicyclists and vehicles; realigning the access drive to the facilities building 

north of the viaduct further away from the main intersection to reduce vehicle conflicts; and reconfiguring 

the entire intersection to have a perpendicular alignment between 25 th Ave NE to Montlake Boulevard/ NE 

45 th St . 

Further analysis include discussions with traffic consultants; sections of Pend Oreille to determine 

appropriate zones for pedestrians, cars and planting; further analysis of the E1 parking lot, and review of 

the Burke Gilman trail study. 


The committee appreciates the efforts going into making this entrance to campus more 

comprehensible, but encouraged the consultant to define the problem more succinctly – is the focus to 

provide better wayfinding for the first time user, or make this feel more as a ceremonial entrance as an 

every day experience? 

The committee supports the concept of strengthening the vegetated buffer along Montlake and within 

the expanse of the E1 parking lot to provide better pedestrian circulation. 

The committee encouraged pushing the design solution more toward improving the pedestrian 

experience along Pend Oreille and providing a separated uphill bicycle lane. 


Burke Museum 

Randy Everett, UW Project Manager 

Tom Kundig, Olson Kundig 

Mark Tilbe & Ivana Bagley, Murase Associates 

Project Phase: Pre-Design 


The architectural concept for the Burke Museum is to expose the activities occurring inside the building on 

the outside. Reconfigurations to the current structure include moving the loading dock to the east side of 

the building off Memorial Way; reorienting the entry courtyard from the east to the south side of the 

building; and providing a semi-transparent skin to create an awareness of what’s inside while protecting 

the collection. 

The landscape concept is to strengthen the indoor/outdoor connections and express a sense of the 

activities inside the building through the design of the landscape. The south plaza is developed as a dropoff 

entry zone, maximizing the southern exposure. The ethnobotanical garden will be relocated and 

expanded to highlight native plants and their historic uses. A large event plaza is incorporated into the 

landscape on the west side of the building in anticipation of evening events taking advantage of daylight. A 

new parking lot is proposed on the north side of the building to replace lost parking stalls. Pedestrian 




circulation from the intersection 15 th Ave NE and NE 45 th St is rerouted through the parking lot to the main 

plaza on the west side of the building. 


The Committee was disheartened to see what could be a jewel of a building surrounded by parking. 

They recommend the entire site, from Memorial Way on the east, 45 th at the north, 15 th on the west, to 

the 43 rd St. pedestrian mall, be studied in greater detail with flexibility toward retaining parking. 

Connectivity between the building and landscape needs to be much stronger, more direct and obvious. 

Preference for service entry not along Memorial Way. 

The site study should explore potential future development capacity, with a primacy of connectivity 

and within the context of the campus as a whole. The best use of the land is not optimized by the 

current design and connections back to campus are not reinforced when surrounded by parking. 

Committee Action: Jill made a motion, and Jennifer seconded the motion, to not 

recommend approval of pre-design and request further study with strong concern for the 

following: 

Study the site with particular attention to development along the Memorial Way 

entrance and defining the edges of campus. 

Site should be looked at with flexibility toward parking. 

Preference for service entry not along Memorial Way. 

Connectivity between buildings and landscape needs to be very strong, direct and 

obvious. 

Allow for site capacity as another development site. 

Primacy of connectivity of this site and within the context of campus. 

End of Minutes - meeting adjourned at 4:00 

Meeting notes prepared by: Kristine Kenney

Meeting Minutes - Office of Planning & Budgeting (OPB)

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