City of Everett Gate Way Project, Everett, Wash.

Architect: Designs Northwest Architects, Stanwood, Wash.
Sheet Metal Contractor: Eckstrom Industries Inc., Everett, Wash.

The City of Everett Gate Way Project was designed to improve the pedestrian experience for the city while also incorporating art in a meaningful way.

Designs Northwest Architects’ project included stainless steel sail panels and an archway leading to the city parking garage. The space was designed with the idea that it would be used to display artwork of local area artists on a rotating basis.

From the beginning, Eckstrom Industries Inc., of Everett, Wash., was involved with the city and architectural design team, offering advice on the types of materials that could be used, providing samples and recommending construction methods that would maintain the quality of fabrications while keeping within the project budget.

As a courtesy to the City of Everett, all of the work performed to develop the design was done free of charge by Eckstrom with no guarantee that they would be awarded the project.

This one-of-a-kind project consisted of a set of sail panels fabricated from T304 stainless steel and finished with a unique grain pattern. Powder coated mild steel columns support the panels. The 21,000 pound archway was fabricated from mild steel and was given an enamel finish.

As this $120,000 project progressed, the employees at Eckstrom Industries began to take ownership of this work of art. They found the Gate Way project intriguing and really enjoyed that it was different than their usual work. The pride that the Eckstrom employees had in this city project was a direct result of all their hard work and time they invested in helping improve the city’s pedestrian experience.

The Everett Gate Way Project received a Merit award from the Northwest American Institute of Architects. The competition judges found the project “delightful, accommodating and safe and it incorporates art in a meaningful way. It signals an awareness of the value in improving the pedestrian experience that is good for the city on many levels.”