Located just south of downtown Seattle, the park has incredible views but is also a noisy place, with direct sightlines to I-5 and I-90 below. The current park design is set up in a linear fashion, with little attention to the edge of the bluff. The edge is either a fence or, in a few select spots, contains some benches to enjoy the view. We proposed that this edge becomes a thickened space with strategic interventions to create a less noisy, and more welcoming environment.

The core of our proposal is to improve the area of the current amphitheater, which is closest to the residential area of Beacon Hill. The Jose Rizal bust would be moved to a focal point at the corner, surrounded by walls that project and reflect voices of the community. We proposed enlarging the amphitheater with an arc-shaped berm that would reduce ambient sound from the freeways by 5dB-10dB, a significant improvement. Both the memorial walls and the berm would enhance the natural acoustic properties of the amphitheater.

Our decibel meter measurements on the site recorded sound levels ranging from 54 - 70 dB, and even higher when planes flew directly overhead. According to the EPA, sound levels exceeding 55 dB create an annoyance and negatively impact outdoor activities.

We proposed a series of "sound shells" that would consist of picnic benches protected from ambient noise by an overhanging solid structure. The convex form amplifies voices on the inside and deflects unwanted sound on the outside.

Location: Seattle, WA
Project Team
Architect: Nicolas Sowers

The full proposal can be viewed here.