The Seattle Japanese Garden in the Arboretum was dedicated in 1960. Some of the originally designed features, including a pavilion and gathering space near the north end of the pond, were not built at that time, for logistical and cost reasons. Moreover, the walls that were installed in the north section were constructed using basalt, which departed from the material palette (primarily granite) found elsewhere in the Garden. These walls are now beginning to crumble. There is an opportunity to replace the walls, stairs, and make associated path accessibility improvements.

The 2001 Arboretum Master Plan recognized the importance of the designers’ original vision by including the addition of the pavilion as a future project.

Rendering by Hoshide Wanzer Architects/Berger Partnership.

What's Happening Now?

As Seattle Parks and Recreation and the Arboretum Foundation plan for the replacement of the walls and connecting stairs with hand-crafted granite masonry, they worked with Hoshide Wanzer and Berger Partnership to complete a schematic design for the entire north section of the Garden to ensure that the rebuilt walls will dovetail well with future plans for a pavilion and its surroundings. Currently, the design team is progressing with the construction documentation for the replacement of the walls and accompanying work.