The most recent project I completed for this autumn's EDLPS598 class was a facility enhancement proposal for Hec Edmundson Pavilion here at the University of Washington. It gave me a great opportunity to look closely at Hec Ed and try to figure out what it could use to make it a stronger facility. With that said, Hec Ed has had a major renovation in the last decade, so it is still considered one of the leaders in facilities around the country. I had to look hard and use my imagination to find a compelling and valuable upgrade.
After watching some games from "press row" on the mezzanine level, I realized that those seats aren't used in the best way possible. Not only do many of them have obstructed views due to poorly placed computer monitors, but it is also valuable space for important stakeholders in UW Athletics.
In putting the project together I had to visit the site several times and look at ways the space is currently being used, as well as finding ways to implement my ideas. It seemed that after designing the project in my head that I was going to need to rearrange some of the current seating assignments. This required me to look at other schools around the country ans see how they allotted their seating. Know that Hec Ed is a major basketball venue, I decided to look at Kentucky, UConn, and Duke to see that hey put their band section near the court, where UW puts them on the mezzanine. I felt the vibe and "home-court advantage" would be increased by putting the band closer, freeing up space for premium seating for donors and high-level administrators.
This project was constructive for me in that it provided the opportunity to be creative with an existing structure and see that improvements can be made, evenin the most newly renovated facilities. It's difficult to see a time in the future that this would be my job, but if I ever had input into this type of project I would certainly hearken back to this assignment.
