Seeds Of a Thesis

Whose Space is it Really?

Growing up in Chelan, I vividly remember a shared sense of us (locals) vs. them (tourists/or ‘206rs’ (a reference to Seattle’s area code). There seemed to be a collective understanding that tourists were the ‘other’ and their presence served a necessary function and should be tolerated to that extent at a minimum.

There is a park in Chelan called Don Morse Park; it once had a retaining wall along its waterfront, requiring the majority of swims along the shore to begin with, plunging your first step into the water to knee-deep depths. Alternatively, If you wanted to jump instead of wade, there was a set of castin-place docks stretching roughly sixty feet from shore. Separating the two concrete piers was a family swim area and an enclosed shallow swim area for young children.

Noticeably and curiously, people chose which dock they jumped from based on residency status. Interestingly, the pier to the south was unofficially moniker the ‘locals dock,’ and the other was sophisticatedly referred to as ‘the other dock.’

New Landscapes, New Reflections

The city commissioned a park redesign in 20122013. The retaining wall, docks, steps, and children’s pool area were removed. The only way to enjoy the water now is through a pebbled beach front. Strategic riparian habitat landscaping is a buffer between the beach front edge and bordering park grass.

My first visit to the ‘new’ Don Morse Park was a bit of a shock. An unspoken designated lake spot for the young people of Chelan to meet, socialize, and swim ceased to exist. I cherished my lakeside memories on the locals’ dock and the sense of belonging I found there; it was sad to think other kids and teens growing up here wouldn’t have the opportunity to experience that.

Wouldn’t it be nice if there was an opportunity for people to expose themselves to the science behind why its so great there?

Despite my initial disappointment, the redesign was pleasant enough, and of course, the lake remained beautiful. But a new pebblybeachfrontand some tall wispy grasses accompanied by an info placard don’t compare to the unique feeling of having that community gathering spot on the pier.

Germination

How can help

Whats the degree of impact one person can have on these systems while they are here?

How can someone a and positively contr to Lake Chelan’s nat occurring ecolog an individuals maintain systems? actively ntribute aturally ogy?

Upon further reflection on this ‘something special’, I concluded that the locals’ dock provided community members with a sense of ownership, belonging, and pride. I realized that acquiring those feelings is more thanjustapleasantexperience;theyarepartofthe fundamental desires that come with being human. A quick review of my undergrad psychology course notes on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Theory gave me prompt confirmation. Designing a space that facilitatesusersmeetingthesefundamentalhuman needs, promoting stewardship, and nurturing ecological thinking fueled the development of my thesis project.

What are the systems that make it this way?

Could Lake Chelan become even more enjoyable with some form of collective effort?

If users can be moved to the point action here in Lake Chelan, could they be inspired to take these questions with them and apply them wherever they go?

Can we ensure that our children’s children are able to have their own cherished memories on the pristine aqua-marine lake?

Is it even realistic to aim for a design to accomplish that?

If so, are we holding up our end of the deal?

Is there already a symbiotic relationship here?

Thought Snake Foundation

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Well, how do I even begin to incite wonder or positive action with design?

There’s Integrative Design, would this be ‘Instigative Design’?

How can architecture activate ecological stewardship?

What is the extent of my power as a designer in this situation?