[Photo by BUILD LLC]
This past weekend kicked off the annual Seattle Design Festival, now in its fifth year running. With the theme Design For Equity, the festival is host to a wide range of design events throughout the city. We perused the program, checked out the opening weekend, and have a handful of recommendations on what to see and do at SDF2015.
[Image Source: Seattle Design Festival]
INSTALLATIONS
Design Block Party
Saturday, September 12th – Sunday, September 13th // Occidental Park, 300 Occidental Plaza S // Free
The SDF design block party kicked off the festival events over the weekend, showcasing booths and installations to spark the conversation around design equity, urban planning, and community.
[Photo by BUILD LLC]
PARK(ing) Day
Friday, September 18th // Citywide // Free
The global pop-up parklet event is a fixture in the Seattle Design Festival program. Check out the parklets that will emerge around the city this Friday.
[Image Source: SDOT]
EXHIBITS
Portraits of Architects
Saturday, September 12th, 5:00pm // A Gallery, 117 S Main St // Free
This traveling exhibit opened at the gallery of Integrus Architecture earlier this month, with a reception to recognize the work, the artists, and the architects. Curated by AIA Women in Design, the portraits highlight the achievements and history of the women in architecture in the Northwest. Running until November 3rd.
[Photo by BUILD LLC]
zoning :: equity
Tuesday, September 22th, 5:00pm // b9 Architects, 610 2nd Ave // Free
One of the hottest topics being discussed around Seattle these days, b9 architects explore the theme of (in)equity in Seattle’s current zoning map. Code changes and a housing boom have caused corresponding debate in our communities about how to address growth and equity. Through our explorations, we attempted to illuminate the relationship between zoning and equity to provide an opportunity to envision zoning as equitable and enhancing. NOTE: This event is rescheduled from September 17th.
[Image Source: b9 Architects]
TALKS
Design Conference
Saturday, September 19th // Seattle Public Library, 1000 4th Avenue // Free
For a full day, the Seattle Public Library hosts the Seattle Design Festival Conference. The program ranges from panels, lectures, workshops, and films. Check out the schedule, and get your fill of design discussions.
[Image Source: Seattle Design Festival]
PechaKucha 65: Design For Equity
Thursday, September 24th, 6:00pm // Seattle Public Library, 1000 4th Ave // Free
Another staple of SDF2015, the PechaKucha series is always an inspiring convergence of thoughtful, local change-makers on a given topic. This one is not to be missed. And if previous years are any indication, get there early, as seating is limited and not reserved.
[Image Source: PechaKucha Seattle]
TOURS
Mind the Gap: Building a Bridge Between Historic Neighborhoods and Modern Urban Development
Monday, September 21st, 6:30pm // Artspace Mt. Baker Lofts, 2915 Rainier Ave S // Free w/ RSVP
Addressing specific challenges of Transit Oriented Development as it impacts historic neighborhoods, this talk and tour offers ideas and inspires discussion on the realities of a growing city.
[Image Source: Artspace Mt. Baker Lofts]
Bullitt Center Tour
Wednesday, September 23rd, 5:00pm // Bullitt Center, 1501 E Madison St // $5
While Seattleites always have the opportunity to tour the world’s greenest office building, it’s a good time to check out the Bullitt Center’s “living laboratory” with your fellow design-minded community two years in to the building’s completion.
[Image Source: Alex Garland for CHS]
GATHERINGS
Deepening Human Connection
Wednesday, September 16th, 6:00pm // The New Foundation, 312 2nd Avenue S // Free
Seattle Design Foundation exhibits the grant proposals for this year’s theme, Deepening Human Connection. Join SDF at the New Foundation for an evening of design and connection tomorrow.
[Image Source: Seattle Design Foundation]
Closing Party
Friday, September 25th 6:00-10:00pm // Surface Theory, 536 1st Ave S // $20 general, $40 VIP
After two-plus weeks of discussing, challenging, engaging in Design For Equity, it’s time to party. Close out the festival with this finale event, hosted by Surface Theory.
[Image Source: Seattle Design Festival]
A big thanks goes out to the Design In Public for organizing the event, as well as the sponsors, volunteers, participants, and supporters in this year’s Seattle Design Festival. We look forward to checking out the program events in the next couple weeks. And for those interested in pitching in to SDF2015 with their time or their wallets, opportunities are still available. Lastly, follow, share, and engage with #SDF2015 (and get the first word about next year’s festival) on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
Cheers from Team BUILD