A product of the golden era of automobiles that continues to function as a crucial component of Seattle’s urban fabric, Aurora Avenue operates on multiple scales and within multiple jurisdictions. This thoroughfare travels through many neighborhoods and raises questions of physical and cultural accessibility that are both complex and scaleable, and provides an opportunity to reimagine a vital yet vestigial urban space. From December 21 through March 22, the Henry’s Test Site opened up to the public as a collaborative design lab that used Aurora Avenue as a point of departure for conversations around issues of history, culture, urban development, economics, transportation, and civic infrastructure.

Interdisciplinary groups re-imagined Aurora Avenue, proposing alternate visions and solutions on topics ranging from politics and crime prevention to art and natural systems. Throughout the course of this presentation various experts and design professionals hosted open public charrettes, or design intensives, to address specific themes.

The content and ideas produced during these weekly events illustrated the depth and possibility of cross-disciplinary design in a manner that is accessible and fosters dialogue. These design intensives took place every Thursday during the run of the project from 4:30 to 7:30 pm. All sessions are free and open to the public.

Charrette Schedule

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