This model dipicts the finished 92 acre project. Photo courtesy of Richard Carothers Associates

In format ceremonies at the White House on May 19th, Mrs. Ronald Reagan presented one of 18 national Environmental Enhancement Awards to Boeing Computer Services (BCS) of Bellevue and to Richard Carothers Associates (RCA), who prepared the overall Master Plan and has been responsible for all site design and landscape architecture since its beginning in 1980.

Aerial photo of the original 65 acre site. Photo courtesy of Richard Carothers Associates.

The entire site design concept was conceived to minimize earth moving and the removal of existing vegetation. Whenever possible, trees or groups of trees, and ground-plane vegetation has been retained. Broad buffer areas adjacent to existing roadways abutting single family residential development were retained and augmented with new trees and shrubs. A jogging path around most of the site was located within the buffer for use by both the public and Boeing employees.

The Master Plan at Boeing Computer Services, Headquarters & Data Center shows al five phases of this project.

Richard Carothers, President of RCA, and personally involved with the BCS project since its beginning, says that although extensive clearing was required to physically accommodate the buildings (some as large as 300×400 feet), and parking with ratios of 4 and 5 per 1000 SF, respect for the existing topography and vegetation was the primary determinant in the overall site design. This meant establishing parking elevations as near to existing grades as possible, and allowing the road system to “roll” with the existing grades. This ‘site sensitive’ approach eliminated extensive cut and fill slopes typical of any similar projects, and permitted existing vegetation to be retained near the drives and parking.

In addition to traditional landscape design, RCA specified a landscape ‘transition zone’ wherever new and existing landscape areas meet. These zones have been planted and treated in a manner so as to encourage the new and existing areas to gradually appear to be “one” and as near “park-like” as possible.

The notable exception to this concept, and the focus of the landscape design, are the pedestrian courtyards. The ‘courtyard’ concept sprung from the owner’s need for secured entries to the buildings and a decision in the early stages of planning that the secured entry idea could be capitalized upon if the buildings were sited in pairs. The client encouraged the concept, and for the most part, the site has developed in this manner. Thus, the concept of utilizing the courtyard to serve as the ‘front door’ to each building! With parking at each end of the courtyards, the courtyards also function as an exterior “hallway” between buildings, as an attractive place for pedestrians to lounge and eat lunch, and an area to be enjoyed when viewed from inside. The courtyards then P became the ‘people’ focus—the area which is most experienced by visitors and employees alike.

The symetrical design of this project is complimented by a wide variety of color and animation that provides many varied use areas for the end users. Photo courtesy of Design Workshop, Inc.

Each of the three courtyards at BCS has its own personality and a different fountain design. However, each is paved in brick with repeat use of major materials to form the ‘common thread’ which visually ties the entire park together.

In 1979, prior to beginning any site planning, an Environmental Analysis and Design Guidelines report was prepared by RCA for the entire site. In this report, the general concept of broad buffers, retention of native plant materials, gently rolling roadways, and an emphasis in an aesthetically pleasing site was established.

Selection of trees and other native vegetation to be removed or retained was supervised by RCA staff with the aid of a consulting forester.

RCA is a planning/civil engineering/landscape architecture firm based in Seattle. In addition to the BCS site in Bellevue, RCA has planned office/industrial/manufacturing parks and facilities for Hewlett-Packard, Fairchild Camera, Honeywell, Husky Oil, Safeco, Nike, Tektronix, Birtcher McDonald Properties, The Sickels Group, Watt Industries, Weyerhaeuser Real Estate Company, Morrison Knudsen, GTE and others.

Henry Boyar, an RCA Vice President and the Project Manager, traveled to Washington, D.C. to accept the award. Congratulations to RCA on this outstanding example of innovative design.

Landscape Architect: Richard Carothers Associates

Architect: Boeing Computer Services

Developer: Boeing Computer Services

Landscape Contractor: Parkwood, Inc., Kirkwood, Washington

Site Work Contractor (Phase 11): Tucci & Sons Tacoma, Washington

Consultants: Earthwork & Hardscape

The Landscape of the Month is produced by LASN and sponsored by Nightscaping, who donates $50.00 to the Landscape Architectural Foundation (LAF) for each feature. Please contact LASN editorial staff before submitting material for consideration.