Environmental Design

1. pier 62/63
The redesign of Pier 62/63 on Seattle’s waterfront is a necessary change not only structurally but for the community as
well. One of the main ways Seattle is defined is by the water and we are connected to it socially, economically, and
environmentally. Seattle is a great urban environment, and we need a stand out urban waterfront to go with it. There has
been a lot of talk and concept work done for the waterfront in its entirety, and some exciting ideas are being developed.
This project deals only with the redesign of Pier 62 & 63. The goal for this new park is to provide a mixed use space that is
meant for the full demographic, provides a focus on the water, and sticks to its roots while looking ahead to the future. Its
main features include a 90’ high water installation that serves as public art as well as a water filtration system , a saltwater
pool, a sandy ‘beach’, access to the water, picnic areas, grilling spaces, tennis courts as well as other sporting spaces, a
running track, and a walkway connecting to the marina located at the next pier. The redesign also includes structural
repairs that will change the timber pilings to more sustainable steel pilings.
concept statement interior designer

2. 1.87 acres discussed options
eis report
• rebuild/preservation alternative would rebuild pier 62/63 as a similar structure in the same location but set away approximately 50 feet from the shoreline.
• aqua link alternative would rebuild Piers 62/63 as a smaller structure closer to the aquarium would also build a new deck connecting piers 59 and 57.
this would be part of an aquarium expansion.
• connector alternative would rebuild the piers as a similar structure in the same location but set away from the shoreline. it would also build a footbridge/deck
connecting to the aquarium. an accessible beach between the new piers and the pier 60 would be added as well.
• multi-purpose pier alternative would rebuild Piers 62/63 as a large open platform right next to an expanded aquarium and set away from the shoreline.
allied-arts of seattle
62/63
• came up with the idea of the “people’s pier”, which is a family park, including an outdoor swimming pool, as well as basketball courts, public marina and a
renovated concert theater. this fits in with a redesign of the whole alaskan way waterfront.
public
• waterfront businesses have the most inquiries about a park space with grass to be able to sit, relax, and access to the water.
problem*
• pier 62/63 suffers extensive timber superstructure
deterioration
• pile inspections show 38% of timber piles have
heavy damage from fungal decay, biological
deterioration, and marine borer damage, and
“the piers, with their long
20% have moderate damage from these same history of commerce, labor,
reasons and trade, are located on a
site originally used by native
pier
• continued deterioration of pilings could lead to
extensive use restrictions in 2-5 years, depending americans for landing their
on the rate of decay boats, and were seen by the
• cannot support loading requirements for large city as a new public access to
events or heavy vehicles any longer the waterfront”
• entire alaskan way seawall needs to be replaced -a field guide to seattle’s
• overall condition of pier 62/63 was ‘fair-poor’ public art
according to an engineering report from 2004
*information gathered from EIS (environmental
impact statement) report for the central
waterfront master parks plan from 2006
research

3. 62/63
pier
concept development

4. a
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62/63
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pier
1. saltwater pool
2. beach
3. picnic/grill section
7 4. sports section
5. tennis courts
6. picnic/grill section
7. bike racks
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8. waterfall fixture
riu
ua
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perspectives