In the portion disturbed by the new building, the character, scale and mix of this shrub border is repeated to create visual continuity and anchor the new building to the site. In the re-design of the Grieg Grove at University of Washington, preservation of a sacred grove of mature hardwood trees provided the catalyst for the overall design. Companion planting reinforced the woodland character, complemented the rhododendron seasonal display and created a diverse collection for outdoor classroom use by the botany and landscape architecture department. In the clearing, grades were adjusted to improve drainage and enhance existing use for passive recreation e.g. reading, talking, and sunning during spring and summer sessions. Garden portals are aligned with building entrances to improve visibility, connection and circulation through the landscape.
Historic renovation presents unique challenges and opportunities.
As regional growth continues, pressures on historic resources without assigned value will be acute. Given the relatively short history of the Northwest and the ongoing land conversion to more profitable uses, historic renovation is vitally important as a strategy for capturing an emerging historic Northwest legacy before it disappears. Scott Pascoe is the owner of Pascoe Design and Planning.