Mound, hearth, enclosure, roof, and column. The way we see it, Gottfried Semper and scholars already figured out what makes honest tectonic form. We're looking for the element that satisfies our primitive urge to value architecture that's good.

October 11th 2010

1 note

SeaSk8
by: Gridline
in: Seattle, Washington

While the idea of riding a skatepark is even more daunting than attempting to gracefully balance on a bike or board, the typology of these urban parks and the culture that sustains them is a fascinating one.  The most recent design to garner some attention is located in one of the most iconic areas of Seattle,  right by the Space Needle.

Located on top of an auxiliary roof of Key Arena, the 10,000 square foot park is a replacement for the demolished skate park just outside the Seattle Center. It was designed with skateable streetscape features and skateable public art (the glass wall and panels by local artist Perri Lynch are gorgeous) and has a pretty fascinating construction technique.  The primary material is foam, and while it’s a far cry from the concrete pools of Dogtown, the traditional earthen mounds of contemporary parks, or the piles of God-knows-what under the famed Burnside Park in Portland, it’s a method that makes sense for the location.  Shaped by hand with a +/- 1/8” tolerance, its lightweight and modular form allows for its initial fabrication and overall permanence . Unlike compacted dirt that shifts and settles over time, rigid foam underneath concrete will keep its form without adding additional weight to the building below.

With this building technology in place it’s apparent that the future of skatepark locations could be virtually anywhere.  While there still much to be done in order for these spaces to be socially accepted in many cities, Seattle included, the community spirit and dedication of riders and neighbors is what makes them truly successful and welcomed.  

Posted at 12:00am and tagged with: mound, skatepark, washington,.

SeaSk8by: Gridlinein: Seattle, Washington While the idea of riding a skatepark is even more daunting than attempting to gracefully balance on a bike or board, the typology of these urban parks and the culture that sustains them is a fascinating one.  The most recent design to garner some attention is located in one of the most iconic areas of Seattle,  right by the Space Needle. Located on top of an auxiliary roof of Key Arena, the 10,000 square foot park is a replacement for the demolished skate park just outside the Seattle Center. It was designed with skateable streetscape features and skateable public art (the glass wall and panels by local artist Perri Lynch are gorgeous) and has a pretty fascinating construction technique.  The primary material is foam, and while it’s a far cry from the concrete pools of Dogtown, the traditional earthen mounds of contemporary parks, or the piles of God-knows-what under the famed Burnside Park in Portland, it’s a method that makes sense for the location.  Shaped by hand with a +/- 1/8” tolerance, its lightweight and modular form allows for its initial fabrication and overall permanence . Unlike compacted dirt that shifts and settles over time, rigid foam underneath concrete will keep its form without adding additional weight to the building below. With this building technology in place it’s apparent that the future of skatepark locations could be virtually anywhere.  While there still much to be done in order for these spaces to be socially accepted in many cities, Seattle included, the community spirit and dedication of riders and neighbors is what makes them truly successful and welcomed.  
  1. semperssixth posted this

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