Posted on February 3, 2025
Post categories: Architecture Climate Community Landscape Architecture Research Urban Design & Planning
Seattle’s push to reconnect neighborhoods divided by Interstate-5 has gained significant momentum, thanks to the work of the 2023 Scan Design Interdisciplinary Studio, “Connect!”. The studio’s innovative design proposals for a freeway lid between Wallingford and the University District have helped the UDistrict Partnership to secure $1.5 million in funding to further study the prospective project, which promises to offer green spaces, pedestrian infrastructure, and much-needed affordable housing.
This community-driven project began with a Community Visioning Workshop that drew over 100 attendees, offering invaluable input that shaped the final proposals. Inspired by global examples of freeway lidding and design innovations experienced in Copenhagen and Malmö, the interdisciplinary student teams created designs that prioritize sustainability, climate responsibility, and social connection. These proposals not only address environmental challenges but also offer opportunities for vibrant, mixed-use development.
Nancy Rottle, Professor Emeritus of Landscape Architecture at the University of Washington and studio instructor, remarked on the significance of the project: “The freeway lid concept represents a unique opportunity to bridge not just physical spaces, but also communities and generations. By transforming the urban fabric, we can create a future that is more connected, sustainable, and resilient.”
One of the students involved in the project, Katherine Magee, shared their experience: “Collaborating with the community to develop our design ideas brought a real sense of energy and excitement, making our projects feel more real and more possible. It’s exciting to see that momentum continue as more people recognize the opportunities that a highway lid would create toward a greener, more connected, more equitable city.”
The project has already sparked excitement within the community and city leadership, with the secured funding now paving the way for further study and planning. By bridging these two neighborhoods, the proposed freeway lid is expected to transform Seattle’s urban landscape, creating a connected, sustainable space that benefits residents and the environment alike. The success of the Scan Design Studio’s work highlights the power of interdisciplinary collaboration and community engagement in shaping the future of urban spaces. The next steps are now set in motion to bring this vision closer to reality.
About the Scan Design Interdisciplinary Studio
The Scan Design Interdisciplinary Studio is a collaborative, term-long design studio at the University of Washington’s College of Built Environments, which follows a study tour to Denmark and Sweden that is generously funded by the Scan Design Foundation. The studio brings together graduate students from architecture, urban planning, and landscape architecture to work on real-world design challenges, often in collaboration with community partners. The studio’s goal is to produce innovative, sustainable design solutions that address pressing urban issues while fostering strong community engagement.