Walls and Fences

 This wall is located  in the Pearl District of Portland OR.  It is a remnant of the old building that existed previously.  Now as the face of a mixed use developement called EcoTrust it preserves the original architecture and ties the street to the reclaimed building that houses offices, retail units and restaurants.  Materials: concrete, brick, stone.  Dimensions: Appx. 15'x1' and wraps the street corner. This wall was built to last and and also serves as an example of how existing buildings can be recycled and add character to new development. There should be little to no maintenance issues.

 This retaining wall is located at Tanner Springs in the Pearl District of Portland OR.  As part of an urban park it was also designed to deter skateboarders while keeping with a contemporary style.  Materials: pre-cast concrete, steel fins.  Dimensions: 2' high x 10"wide, and runs the length of the park.  The pre-cast concrete is suited to with stand the elements and should require little if any maintenance, it works well as a retaining wall and is comfortable enough to sit on for a short break. 

 Location:  Olympic Sculpture Park, Seattle WA.  This fence was used to protect the recently planted native plants and guide visitors to the appropriate locations to view the waterfront.  Materials: wood, metal wire.  Dimensions: 3.5'x1/2".  The fence seemed to not only serve it's functional purpose but also a complimented the natural planting.  Maintenance on this fence would be inevitable after a few years but it may not be intended to stay once plants are established.  

Sculpture and Ornamental Elements

 Location: Olympic Sculpture Park, Seattle WA.  An installment purchased from New York these forms create a dynamic and unique environment.  Views are framed and change as people move through the space.  Materials: cor-ten steel.  Dimensions: ~5'x15'  They are quite interesting to walk through and provide several different routes/experiences.  This sculpture is almost indestructible.

 Location: Japanese Museum at Volunteer Park, Seattle WA.   Two of these camels flank the entrance to the museum and give the visitor a hint of the content in the museum.  They also have a sign inviting people to sit on the sculpture as a participatory part of the museum.  Material: Stone  Dimensions:~6.5'x3'  This camel is a bit worn and is perhaps susceptible to vandalism, but also seems quite resilient. 

 Location: Japanese Museum, Volunteer Park, Seattle WA.  Resting on top of an overlook this round sculpture creates an interesting view and also encourages investigation.  Materials: Stone  Dimensions:~9'x2.5'  The sculpture adds character to the site and adds a contemporary flavor to the century old park. This piece is pretty worry free.

Fountains and Ponds

 Location: Portland OR.  This fountain occupies a spot in a central courtyard of condominiums.  A great use of natural water flow, this fountains turns on when it rains.  It's flow is provided by run-off that is collected from the roof and is directed to a trough that, once full flows over a curved steal fin.  Materials: steel, stone, concrete.  Dimensions:~14'x5'  The fountain is very functional as it contains water during a hard rain rather than contributing to overwhelmed storm drains.  May require annual cleanings of inlets/outlets to ensure water flow.

 Location: Jameson Park, Portland OR,  Although this fountain is turned off in this picture, during the summer it is full of people.  Water from an existing creek is pumped through horizontal slits in the stone and spills over the steps into the basin which fills to 18" and then periodically drains and refills throughout the day.  Materials: stone (imported from India), concrete pavers, metal grate.  Dimensions:~40'x20'x18"  This fountain attracts people from other neighborhoods and is quite full in the summer.  This fountain does require regular maintenance.  

 Location: Chinese Historical Garden, Portland OR.  The pond is located in a private garden and reflects the landscape giving depth to the view.  Materials: concrete, stone.  Dimensions:~40'x60'  The pond serves it's function quite well after being modeled after those found in traditional chinese gardens.  The idea was to provide the opportunity to learn about and feel as though you were in China and this pond adds significantly to that concept.  Ponds can be somewhat costly to maintain as they require constant up keep.  

Stairs and Steps

 Location: Japanese Garden, Portland OR. These Stairs do a great job of helping visitors enjoy the garden.  Because they are not constructed in a straight line they advocate a slow pace through the garden.  Materials: granite, stone.  Dimensions:~16"x3"x6"  The materials used are well suited to withstand weather and many people.  

 Location: Jameson Square, Portland OR.  These stairs lead up to a restaurant on the bottom floor of a high several story condo building.  The building borders the park and provides a welcomed amenity to residents and park-goers.  Materials: formed concrete.  Dimensions:~15"x5 1/2"  These steps require little maintenance and would only need to be kept clean.

 Location: Olympic Sculpture Park, Seattle WA.  These stairs provide access out of the garden of the valley.  Although they have a hand rail they may be difficult for elderly persons.  Materials: recycled granite street curb.  Dimensions: ~13"x3'x6".  The stairs are quite functional and provide an artistic element in the landscape with their placement pattern and residual paint.  The stairs should not require much maintenance.

Paving

 Location : Chinese historical Gardens, Portland OR.  The pattern of this paving has cultural meaning and is meant to be walked on without shoes in order to feel the pattern.  Materials: stone, fired tile.  Dimensions:~20'x20'  The paving used here is pretty durable and easily fixed if pieces are ever lost.  

 Location: Tanner Park, Portland, OR.  This walkway provides a winding walk across a pond.  It was built to appear to float on the water and also gives a new view of the wetland and other native plantings.  Materials: stainless steel, fiberglass composite with non-slip surface.  Dimensions: various~6' to 8'.  Very low maintenance.

 Location: Tanner Park, Portland OR.  Built using a european paving pattern, this pathway blends into the landscape as the grout fades at the edges to allow for growth.  Materials: recycled stone from old areas of Portland, concrete base.  Dimensions:~8'wide.  Very durable.

 Location: Jameson Square, Portland OR.  This boardwalk was build as a tie to the other three parks in a series.  The boardwalk is not only a reference to proximity to water but also serves as a raised sidewalk to allow healthier growth of the trees by limiting compaction due to construction and allowing water to percolate through the spaces between the wood.  Materials: wood, metal.  Dimensions: ~16'-18'width.  Will need to be replaced eventually.

Benches and Seat Walls

 Location: City Hall, Seattle WA.  As part of the plaza on the grounds of city hall this bench provides a place to rest and view the street.  It's design blends in with the contemporary design of the building.  Materials: wood, metal.  Dimensions: w18"x h16"x l8'.  Well crafted this wood will last for a while but may need treating. 

Matches the contemporary character.

 Location: Olympic Sculpture Park, Seattle WA.  This seat wall is part of an amphitheater and  Materials: concrete.  Dimensions: 16"x12".  The amphitheater has a very clean look which is enhanced by the shape of the concrete.  The seat-wall itself should need little maintenance but mowing the grass on each tier will require lifting a mower.  

 Location: Olympic Sculpture Park, Seattle WA.  Overlooking the Puget Sound these benches provide splendid views and are easy to get to.  They give back support and the white color contrasts the plant material.  Materials: Powder-coated metal.  Dimensions: 16"x 6'  The design of the bench is also minimally intrusive to the pathway because it is off-set.  This may battle graffiti.