Elliot Bay Pavilion
Seattle, WA
The Elliot Bay Pavilion sits on the downtown Seattle waterfront and accommodates a modest program with a concession stand, a fishing tackle and bait kiosk, 3 gender neutral washrooms and a 1000sft flexible programable space that can accommodate up to 60 people comfortably. The structure provides a point of interest along Elliott Bay Connection sea wall path between the existing fishing pier and grain elevator terminal. It is located at the intersection of the trail coming from the parking lot and the bicycle and pedestrian path. On axis with the trail from the parking lot the building frames an entrance to the sea.
The design is inspired by the Coast Salish Culture and their connection to the sea. Historically this area was the Ancestral territory of the Dxʷdəwʔabš (Duwamish) and a place of waterfront settlement for the sea faring people. The building reaches to the sea in a gentle arc embracing it gesturally to provide a welcoming gesture signifying the importance of the Salish Sea to Indigenous Culture. The gentle arc defines an outdoor gathering space facing the sea with a ceremonial fire place and terraced seating. This outdoor space provides program space that can be used for a feasts, ceremonies, and other events that compliment the Flexible program space.
The structure of the building is composed of heavy timber post and beam for the main frame inspired by the coast Salish long houses. As the gentle arc straightens out at each end a broad canopy defines an outdoor area for the concession stand and the flexible gathering place. Walls
reach up to 8 feet then clear storey above allows the gently swooping roof to disengage revealing its winglike form. This strategy also ensures natural light to many of the interior spaces and reduces the amount of exposed glazed areas at ground level that may pose a security risk. Integrated in the 8 foot wall is a channel that can conceal track hardware for sliding security panels to lock up the pavilion when it is not in use.
A water fall scupper at the low point of the swooping structure celebrates water and the fact this area is within a rainforest climate. During rain events the large scupper drains into a cascading fountain into the plaza. The permitter roof is clad in copper a material used by northern Indigenous tribes representing dignity.
Awards
Client
Walker Macy
Completion
In Progress
Size
192
Design Team
Walker Macy (Prime Consultant), Formline Architecture + Urbanism
Formline Team
Alfred Waugh, Matthew Hunter, Yaduo Laurence Liu
Photography Credit