August 17, 2005

Design Detailings: 'Art and Architecture' talk Aug. 25 at SAM

A panel discussion titled "Creating Public Spaces: When Art Meets Architecture," will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 25, at Seattle Art Museum.

Panelists include Jim Olson of Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects; landscape designer Jennifer Guthrie, a partner with Gustafson Guthrie Nichol; public artist Buster Simpson and moderator Guy Michaelsen, a principal with The Berger Partnership.

They will discuss what sculptor/designer Isamu Noguchi called the "sculpture of spaces" — living canvases and open spaces that are designed to engage the community and showcase art. There is no charge. For information, call the Seattle Architecture Foundation at (206) 667-9184.

Nominations wanted for ASCE awards

The American Society of Civil Engineers is seeking nominations for its 2006 Outstanding Projects and Leaders Awards and 2006 Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement Award.

The OPAL awards honor professional civil engineers for lifelong contributions in five categories: public works, construction, management, design and education. The OCEA Award recognizes projects for their contribution to the well-being of people and communities, resourcefulness in planning and design challenges, and innovations in materials and techniques.

The awards will be presented at the OPAL awards gala on April 26 in Washington, D.C.

For more information about nomination criteria, procedures and entry forms, go to www.asce.org/opal/index.cfm.

Third Thursday: 'Color and Design'

Seattle Design Center's Third Thursday series will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. tomorrow at the center, 5701 Sixth Ave. S.

"The Impact of Emerging Lifestyle Trends on Color and Design" will be from 9 to 10 a.m. Designer, colorist and trend forecaster, Sandra Imre, a member of the International Color Marketing Group, will provide a visual presentation on lifestyle trends, and how these trends relate to color and design.

"Pulling it all Together by Maximizing Your Design Options" will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. Janet Thomas from Lark, a handweaving studio, will share tips on ordering custom area rugs, and how designers can create something unique for their clients.

"Design Your Own Custom Ceiling Pendants" will be from 3 to 4 p.m. Designers will discuss how to create an original hanging piece to complement a variety of design projects.

The event is free to design professionals, but registration is required. For more information, call (800) 497-7997 or go to www.seattledesigncenter.com.

Otak to design prototype store

Otak, Inc., a planning, architecture, design and engineering firm, has been selected for three projects in Washington and Arizona. The projects are a flagship retail store, engineering on a $5 million arterial roadway in Scottsdale, and water-resource engineering for the $68 million Salmon Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion in the Hazel Dell Sewer District.

The Environmental Home Center chose Otak's Seattle office to design its flagship store as the prototype for a series of stores on the West Coast. Otak will establish store layout, product displays and fixtures, and a strategy for lighting, graphics and signage.

It will be the first new store for the Environmental Home Center since its previous store burned in 2004, forcing the outlet to re-open in a temporary location on First Avenue South.