Built (S6E1): Seattle's Aurora Bridge: Award-Winning Green Urban Infrastructure

Season 6

Sep 4

Built (S6E1) Seattle's Aurora Bridge: Award-Winning Green Urban Infrastructure

Come with us to Seattle's Aurora Bridge -- underneath it, that is -- to an infrastructure project that is setting new standards in sustainability by turning stormwater challenges into innovative green solutions. Meet the developers, architects, and scientists showcasing how integrating eco-friendly practices into urban development can address both business and environmental challenges.

Read Full Transcript

Meet the people behind the Aurora Bridge episode

Mark GreyPrincipal at Stephen C. Grey & Associates L.L.C., Partner at HessCallahanGrey Group, Founder & President of the Clean Lake Union

Rachael MeyerLandscape Architecture Principal, Director of Sustainability at Weber Thompson

Dr. Jenifer McIntyreAquatic Toxicologist and Fish Biologist at Washington State University

The Aurora Bridge: BEFORE the Bioswales

Troll Avenue with Data One site (Phase 1) to the left of the bridge.

Watershed Building Site (Phase 2)

Pedestrian path

Watershed Building Site (Phase 2)

Courtesy of Weber Thompson

The Aurora Bridge TODAY

Freemont's Troll Avenue with view of the Watershed Building (Phase 2).

To the left of the Aurora Bridge is the Watershed Building (Phase 2); to the right is Data One (Phase 1).

Bioswales along Troll Avenue nestled beneath an over-land segment of the bridge, right under the 65,000 vehicles that cross it daily.

Collection of gardens known as bioswales. These gardens guide stormwater runoff from the bridge through vegetation that filters out pollutants before flowing into Lake Union.

The Watershed Building (Phase 2)

Data One Building (Phase 1)

The Fremont Troll—a beloved local landmark that has lurked here since 1990. This giant concrete sculpture grips an actual Volkswagen Beetle, as if it had just snatched it from the road above.

Collection of gardens known as bioswales. These gardens guide stormwater through vegetation that filters out pollutants.

Lake Union

Discover 'Swales': A Short Film on Environmental Sustainability

Swales Film Director Justen Weber & Acclaimed film producer Mark Titus, in collaboration with Eva’s Wild, Art Vision Air and Clean Lake Union. https://www.swalesfilm.com/