River
ON THE
BANK
“On the river bank” was what the Duwamish people called their land before the colonizers claimed it as Georgetown. Through this project, we aimed to examine the duality of the past vs. present and the natural vs. industrial.
The site is situated in the Duwamish Valley, nestled in between Interstate 5 and the Duwamish River and has (and is still) undergoing significant historical, ecological, environmental, cultural, and economic shifts. We aimed to investigate these conditions and capture in essence what they are, thinking beyond form, understanding atmosphere, happenstance and the unseen connections that hold a community together.
This initial imaginative collage re-imagines the site into a thriving community, that considers the interaction between the existing gas station, the neighboring homes, air traffic, car traffic, bikes, and small businesses.
This secondary collage map captures the evolution of Georgetown across time through a series of gridded and staggered frames. The present is depicted in the background, with a site plan of the current urban landscape, while the past comes alive through photographs showcasing the people and structures that once inhabited the area. The future, are empty frames; an unknown. This mixture of time, confined within boxes, juxtaposes history, present, and future potential, forcing them to coexist and engage with each other.
Our design intervention serves as a community space for people to escape the toxic environment of Georgetown, infusing themselves in natural elements of water and flora.
PLAN
SECTION
The east entrance made of concrete steps acts as a representation of the more barren, industrial side of Georgetown.
As visitors traverse through the main building, they are given an opportunity to learn about the history of the Duwamish tribe, which is often neglected and overlooked.
Progressing further down into the courtyard that sits 17 feet underground, the earth acts as a boundary between the site and the surrounding urban context. In the midst of this busy intersection, the sunken courtyard brings tranquility and calmness to people in Georgetown.
To commemorate the Duwamish River, the water element in the courtyard is inspired by the original shape of the river.
