January 8, 2003

Design Detailings: Swimmer photos on display

Photo by Lara Swimmer

AIA Seattle will host a party from 5 to 7:30 pm. Thursday for photographer Lara Swimmer. Swimmer will be showing "Structures Rebuilt; Seven Projects," an exhibit that will run through Jan. 31.

Swimmer's work chronicles Seattle's civic renaissance through the remaking of its major buildings. The exhibit of 13 large-scale photographs includes the new Central Library project by OMA, the Opera House renovation at the Seattle Center, demolition of the Kingdome, restoration of the historic Cinerama Theater by BOORA Architects and the SODO Center post-earthquake restoration. AIA Seattle is at 1911 First Ave. For information, call (206) 448-4938.

Allied Arts takes on the waterfront

Allied Arts will tackle the subject of what to do with the downtown waterfront Friday at its Beer and Culture Nights, from 7:30 to 10 p.m.

What kind of public space do we need on a potential post-viaduct waterfront? Recreational? Ceremonial? Festival? What land is potentially available to create this public space? What balance should we strike between park and promenade, between the intimate and the grand? Participants will be asked to imagine the waterfront as the civic showpiece.

Guests will be former Seattle Mayor Charles Royer; Karen Daubert, executive director, Seattle Parks Foundation; John Rahaim, executive director, City Design; and the hosts will be Deborah Daoust and Randy Apsel. The event will be held at 622 38th Ave. Suggested donation is $25 per person, $15 for members of Allied Arts. For information, call (206) 624-0432.

Finding a voice for design

AIA Southwest Washington Chapter will host a discussion from noon to 1:30 p.m. Friday. The luncheon topic, "A Voice For Design: How Can We Have a More Effective Voice?" will cover how to help promote the value of good design to local government and to the public.

The discussion builds on the proposition posed at last month's meeting, that if the architectural community does not talk about the importance of design -- or if the message is not getting through to the public -- then design is not valued in the community. It will be held at Johnny's Dock Restaurant in Tacoma, 1900 E. D St., Tacoma. For information, call (253) 627-4006.