This studio project was developed for Seattle Public Utilities. We explored options for stormwater detention and water quality improvement on both private parcels and the public right-of-way, with a focus on industrial and retail land uses. The designs attempted to find cost-effective solutions that would fit well in their specific contexts, from both the functional and aesthetic points of view.

We organized our design ideas into three categories: designs that alter vertical and horizontal SURFACES, designs that work with the special conditions of particular SITES, and designs that use MODULAR FORMS that could be put to use in many different places. Our conclusion is that all three ways of dealing with industrial and retail sites can make a significant difference in the hydrologic performance of urban neighborhoods.