March 26, 2003

Design Detailings: Jacobs Civil takes top award

The 1.9-million pound removable spillway weir recently attached to the Lower Granite Lock and Dam on the Snake River was recently named the nation's best engineering achievement by the American Council of Engineering Companies.

Called an "engineering marvel," the weir designed by Jacobs Civil Inc. for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, was chosen best engineering achievement in a field that included such projects as the Seahawks Stadium, Boston's Downtown "Bunker Hill" Bridge and the Milwaukee Art Museum.

Salmon production from the Snake River in Washington state had declined to almost an endangered species level over the years, a direct result of the river's four hydroelectric dams. As an alternative to dam removal, Jacobs designed the removable weir -- a structure that was attached to the dam with hinges allowing the weir to be rotated and submerged, depending on water level need. With a 6,000 cubic foot per second water discharge rate, tests show significantly more juvenile salmon now pass through the dam than before.

Another 2003 ACEC Grand Award winner was Magnusson Klemencic Associates for the Seahawks Stadium. With seats closer to the playing field than any other National Football League stadium, the Seahawks Stadium features a cantilevered design with no columns to block the fans' view. The roof is decoupled from the seating bowl allowing independent movement during an earthquake.

Central Library art needed

The Seattle Public Library seeks artists whose work deals with social structures, people and systems to develop permanent art in a wide variety of media for the new Central Library, design by Rem Koolhaas. The artists will be invited to explore the library, its staff and clients, its functions and collections and to develop projects that address these topics. Proposals should embody the questioning and pursuit of ideas that characterize a library.

Through short residencies at the library in 2003, selected artists will develop designs for permanent works of art to be installed in the new library. The application deadline is Friday. Applications are available at www.seattle.gov/arts (select funding applications") or by calling (206) 615-1801.

Fajardo speaks on globalization

Rafael Fajardo, professor of electronic and digital media at the University of Denver, on Tuesday presents cross-cultural insights gained from six years studying design at the U.S.-Mexico border. Living on the border, he researched and participated in the local people's music, words and marks on spaces created to express their regional identity.

Fajardo has noted a growing movement internationally to establish distinct voices, visions and spaces that counter the homogenizing influences of corporate globalization. "What marks a place as global, local, American, Mexican?" he asks. "Along the U.S.-Mexico border, where the industrialized world meets the developing world face to face, there is an acute hunger to communicate a unique identity." Tickets are $10. The 6:30 p.m. lecture will be held at Seattle Art Museum.

Columbia Branch design on display

The new design for the Columbia Branch of Seattle Public Library is on display at the library 4721 Rainier Ave. S. Cardwell Architects designed the $3.2 million 5,595-square-foot expansion. The facility will also feature artwork by Gu Xiong, a mixed-media artist from Vancouver, B.C.

The library is in the Columbia City Landmark District and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The next steps are to complete landmark review and permitting processes before bidding the project. For more information, call (206) 386-4624. The project is expected to be complete next year.

One-stop shopping for glass art

A new catalog and Web site has simplified the search for architectural glass for design professionals. The gallery provides a single source of hand-crafted architectural and functional glass art, bridging the gap between fine art and the needs of designers and architects.

A Seattle-based venture, the Glass Artists Gallery (www.GlassArtistsGallery.com) represents more than 50 creators of functional and architectural art glass.

The gallery deals only with studio glass, focusing on functional art. It is trade-oriented and it does not handle mass produced glass. Customers can choose from stocked items or they can commission work through the gallery. Each artist represented by the gallery has been juried for admission, based in part on the artist's experience dealing with the architectural and design communities.

The catalog is divided into eight categories -- lighting, sinks, tiles, wall art, architectural glass, furniture, sculpture, vessels -- making it easy for design or architectural professionals to find the piece they need. It costs $49.95, and it is updated regularly to reflect the gallery's newest work, as well as to introduce new artists as they are accepted. The price of the catalog is refunded when a customer places a first order. Glass Artists Gallery is at 2010 Killarney Way S.E., Bellevue. Call (877) 320-0800, or e-mail Info@GlassArtistsGallery.com.

Oak Harbor hires Berryman & Henigar

Berryman & Henigar has been awarded an engineering services contract from the city of Oak Harbor. Berryman & Henigar will be providing a variety of engineering services, such as scoping sewer and stormwater plans and helping to explore establishing a Local Improvement District to provide municipal sewers to the Scenic Heights neighborhood.

Berryman is also conducting a comprehensive management audit of the city’s Engineering Services Department. The audit will analyze work procedures and identify ways to improve customer service. "It will be invaluable in fostering an understanding of how to measure our performance and, through this measurement, how to improve operations," said Steve Powers, director of Development Services for the city.

Berryman & Henigar provides municipal management consulting, civil engineering, public finance, building safety, asset management, and program and construction management to public agencies. Further information is available on the Web at www.bhiinc.com.