Seattle Design Commission -- Overview

Overview

The Seattle Design Commission advises the Mayor, City Council and City departments on the design of capital improvements and other projects that shape Seattle's public realm. more

Next Meeting
The Seattle Design Commission meets on the first and third Thursdays of every month. The next meeting scheduled is:

Thursday, November 19, 2009
Seattle City Hall, 600 Fourth Avenue, Boards and Commissions Room, L2-80

See agenda for the next meeting or the archive of minutes from past meetings. Want to schedule a review by the Design Commission? Contact Valerie Kinast (valerie.kinast@seattle.gov or 206 233-7911).

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Commissioners Meet the ten citizens that make up the Seattle Design Commission.
Norie Sato Fine Artist		Mary Johnston Architect		Graham Black At-Large Representative		Brendan Connolly Architect
John Hoffman Urban Designer		Andrew Barash Engineer		Dennis Ryan Urban Designer		Julie Parrett Landscape Architect
Lauren Hauck Get Engaged Representative		Julie Bassuk Urban Planner
Learn more about the commissioners.

News
Council Briefing
On August 10, 2009 the Seattle Design Commission briefed the City Council on its work over the past year, including fifty-five projects reviews, an annual retreat, a 40th anniversary event, one construction site visit and two workshops. Read the Council report and watch the video presentation on the Seattle Channel.

Recommendations
The Design Commission writes recommendations to public officials about the urban design merits of the largest projects impacting the city, such as:

Portal, Street and Tunnel Visual Guidelines
The Design Commission identifies opportunities and constraints regarding the portal and vent building design and the larger urban framework surrounding the north and south tunnel portals of the Alaskan Way Viaduct and Seawall Replacement project. Read the letter (11/2009).

Stormwater Code
The Design Commission supports updating the Seattle Stormwater Code to incorporate, define and encourage the use of green stormwater infrastructure throughout the City on both public and private projects. Read the letter urging revisions to the stormwater code (9/2009).

SR 520 Bridge Replacement
The Design Commission supports Option K, with modifications, and finds Option A a viable alternative, with modifications. Read the letter (12/2008).

See more recommendations. Also, read the minutes of the commission's project reviews.

Visual Resume

The Grass Blades
See the AIA award-winning The Grass Blades at the Seattle Center and how the Design Commission's review made a difference in the development of this project. Open the Visual Resume.

photo by Benjamin Benschneider

Annual Report
2008 annual report thumbnail
2008 Report
In 2008, the Design Commission reviewed $12.4 billion worth of public projects. For details, see the commission's annual report.