Program areas at EW
Community education: ew collaborates with communities to plan and design spaces in a way that responds to their most pressing needs. By sharing what we learn, we mobilize a vast network of leaders and organizations who can tap into these powerful communities to co-create healthy, equitable futures. In 2022, here are some of the educational efforts that ew was a part of: 1) the early learning symposium: a conference that strengthened connections between designers and practitioners. Following the conference, ew also provided technical design assistance to childcare providers through the network. (continued in schedule o)2) pathways to equity: a national leadership development cohort to help designers learn best practices for community engagement and equitable design.3) the legacy cities community of practice is a program that brings together interdisciplinary teams older industrial cities to focus on land-use issues like housing, transportation connections, or placemaking and implement solutions through place-based projects in disinvested neighborhoods.4) university of Washington, college of built environment: ew serves on the professional advisory councils for the departments of architecture and landscape architecture, guiding students and informing them about career and internship experiences.
Ew gives: our active team of designers also serve as community ambassadors, since they are familiar with the concerns and needs of our nonprofit partners around the state. In 2022, some of the significant funds that we raised supported other nonprofit organizations like:- the housing development consortium of king county- the sno-valley senior center in carnation- lifewire- the korean women's association- the ethiopian community in seattle- the duwamish river community coalition- compass housing alliance
Pro bono design services: this year, ew contributed design work to serve several washington-based nonprofit organizations. Some examples of projects we provided designs for in 2022:1) the william grose center for cultural innovation, an economic incubator that supports entrepreneurship and workforce development. The center is operated by africatown community land trust in seattle's central district. (continued in schedule o)2) several tiny house villages operated by the low income housing institute and other partners. These tiny house villages allow residents to reclaim their dignity and get on a path to permanent housing, employment and connection to supportive services.3) the homeless remembrance project: ew manages and secures permits for a coalition that installs plaques on the sidewalks of seattle to commemorate people who have died while living unhoused on our streets. 4) reconnect south park is a project to help re-envision a neighborhood that has been the site of many Environmental justice concerns, including the routing of highway 99 through the community.
We plan, design, and advocate for community-centered environments. Some highlights of design projects that we completed in 2022 are: 1) renovations of 234 units of permanent supportive housing for people transitioning out of homelessness in the historic frye building of seattle. 2) the edmonds waterfront redevelopment created accessible, sustainable, welcoming access to a restored beachfront while adding 280 feet to the city's beloved mile-long public marine walkway. It removed a creosote-soaked bulkhead and fill; and added sand, gravel, native plants, and logs to restore the shoreline to natural conditions. 3) andy's place, which includes 82 new units of housing, coupled with facilities for integrated treatment and support services for people with chronic behavioral health challenges.