Alaskan Way Viaduct Project Update

The Department of Transportation has publicly released the details about all eight proposals being considered for replacement of the Alaskan Way Viaduct. One proposal, scenario E, received some media attention when it became clear that the Speaker of the House, Frank Chopp, was a strong advocate for it. Scenario E has since been dubbed the “Choppway” or the “Megaduct” by local newspapers.

AIA Seattle, based on membership feedback, has long been a proponent of non-elevated solutions and the removal of the viaduct. However, the AIA has been actively evaluating the options.

Tayloe Washburn, president-elect of the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce, and the AIA had a lively discussion about the options, political influences, the likely affects on traffic congestion, and the best interest of the public. The meeting ended positively and the AIA is also setting up a meeting with Speaker Chopp to discuss his proposal.

The AIA will continue to work on the progression of the viaduct by meeting with legislators and partners, publicizing our position with our members, speaking with transportation experts and attending upcoming Nov/Dec Viaduct Advisory Board Meetings.

Architects Make a Trip to the Doctor Less Painful

The new Group Health Bellevue Medical Center, opening July first, is a testament to how architects improve the quality of our lives with their work. The Seattle Times had this to say:

“Some buildings in Bellevue are taller …but few are more prominent. The building will be seen by thousands of people daily passing on the freeway; but what they won't see is how the structure functions inside. ‘It's like a symphony, where the doctors are, where the patients are,’ said Dr. Robert Sandblom, the new center's medical director.

Designers of the new building focused heavily on giving patients a positive experience. The first space patients will encounter, a vast lobby, has both a fireplace and floor-to-ceiling south-facing windows. Architects planned the south facing orientation because the natural light from the windows and the welcoming ambience of the hearth are soothing.

Architects of the new medical center stayed away from elements that could cause a patient stress and designed a building to take patients minds off their pain. There are no arrows on the floors, no color-coded pathways, no bewildering floor plans. Building surfaces are based on natural Northwest materials; destinations are planned to be instinctively accessible. Waiting areas are intentionally small, with the idea that there won't be much waiting.

Further concern for patients shows up in several places like:

• A third-floor south-facing physical-therapy room which has the best views of Mount Rainier — for patients, not for staff members.
• A precisely oriented computer workstation in each of the 136 patient-care rooms, fitted so the screen can be viewed by both doctor and patient.
• The seven operating rooms with no wires underfoot; booms suspended from the ceiling hold an array of materials — lights, computer monitors, equipment trays — all instantly reachable.

To read the full article about the new medical center click here:

Group Health to open state-of-the-art facility in Bellevue.

Alaskan Way Viaduct Discussions Continue

Discussions are continuing on how best to replace the crumbling Alaskan Way Viaduct. After the public vote in 2007 on the elevated and tunnel ideas, the state, City of Seattle and King County went back to the beginning. An advisory committee of local stakeholders was formed and all ideas were put back on the table.

The Seattle Times reports that there are ten options on the table (though really three categories). The categories are an elevated structure, a tunnel and a surface solution. Within these categories there are different options. For instance there is consideration of a deep bore tunnel and a partially lidded, depressed roadway as “tunnel” options.

The AIA/WA, along with AIA Seattle, continues to be engaged in the development of the various options. We are actively monitoring the advisory committee process and participating in stakeholder meetings.

The advisory committee is set to make a recommendation by the end of the summer (likely at its August meeting). Then the decision shifts to the Seattle Mayor, King County Executive and the Governor.