Ballard Corners Park

Location: Seattle

Owner/developer: Seattle Parks and Recreation

Project team: Dariotis Construction Co., general contractor; Nathan Arnold Masonry, concrete contractor; Barker Landscape Architects, architect; Salmon Bay Sand and Gravel Co., ready-mix supplier

Ballard Corners Park was built on the site of a former corner store. The design was intended to recall local history through artful details, unique concrete forms and interpretive elements.

The park has a life-size concrete corner store entry where tiles and interpretive panels were incorporated into the tabletops and columns. The material also allowed for smooth transitions and soft details in the living room furniture. Color brings added warmth and character to each of these features.

The use of concrete at both the entry and the living room allowed designers to mix organic and formal shapes while maintaining consistency across the small space.

Ready-mix concrete offered the project team the flexibility to create unique and playful forms, and provided the durability to hold up to public use and Seattle Parks maintenance practices. In addition, the material offered an economical way to bring diverse shapes and character to a small neighborhood park.