Saiki Design | Landscape Architects

State Street is a reflection of the City of Madison’s diversity and vibrant lifestyle, and it is a destination for residents and visitors alike.  The corridor travels eight blocks, connecting the University of Wisconsin to the Wisconsin State Capitol, formalizing the connection between ‘town and gown’ that is so important to the City.  The renovation of the 700 and 800 blocks of State Street embodied the spirit of the City in a urban open space that boasts shared platforms for public speech, street performance spaces, and special events.  

The design team worked diligently to preserve the cherished elements of the existing streetscape and Library Mall but placed an equal emphasis on restoring views to many of the City’s most iconic features, including the Wisconsin State Capitol, Bascom Hill, Lake Mendota and UW-Madison’s East Campus Mall which had been all but lost over years of piece-meal renovation and encroachment by outdated site features.

The design outcome was a unified, integrated public plaza that still provides spaces for ad-hoc performance and pontificating but adds an elegant and timeless character through custom seating, integrated accent lighting, movable tables and  chairs, custom bar-height tables, plantings, and integrated public art.  

The strengths of this project build upon the key attributes of the entire State Street reconstruction, a series of projects spanning over ten years, by facilitating community involvement and consensus building, retaining a pedestrian focus and utilizing simple, timeless materials. Saiki Design was part of a multi-disciplinary team responsible for planning, design, and final construction documents for this iconic and award-winning project.

Saiki Design led a multi-disciplinary team to complete design development, bidding and construction documents for the reconstruction of Monument Square in downtown Racine, Wisconsin. The project design closely followed the schematic design prepared by Crandall Arambula, within a reduced budget and extremely aggressive design and construction schedule.  Bidding documents were completed within six weeks, and the cost for construction was reduced from the schematic design estimate by nearly half.  The end result is a classic downtown square that facilitates social interaction, hosts public events, and enhances downtown street life.

The renovation of the Hilldale Shopping Center involved a reinvigoration of a stable, but aging suburban shopping mall through a multi-use infill approach.  That strategy integrates housing, entertainment, office, lodging, restaurants, structured parking and additional retail.  The insular development pattern of buildings surrounded by surface parking gave way to a dense urban form with building fronting on public streets, outdoor spaces for cafes, plazas and parks, and a new pedestrian environment between shops, living units and office space.  

Saiki Design completed design and construction documents for the phased reconstruction of the State Capitol Promenade.  The design, conceptualized in the Capitol Park Rehabilitation Master Plan, was sympathetic to the original John Nolen plan of 1911 and also provided for the high level of activity and diversity of use of Capitol Square Promenade and Park.

The design and detailing simplified and organized pedestrian activity zones while integrating Homeland Security measures and enhancing tree plantings. The promenade reconstruction was a significant step in the overall restoration of Wisconsin’s State Capitol.

Saiki Design continued to work at the State Capitol by assisting with planning and coordination  to restore the Capitol Park bluegrass lawn, an effort that included a complete renovation of the Park’s irrigation system.  Saiki Design also prepared a tree inventory and forestry management master plan and tree inventory database.  The plan and supporting database provided Capitol Park staff with valuable information on conducting regular tree health assessments, making updates to keep tree inventory current; the plan also includes guidelines for future replacement operations.

Saiki Design provided site and landscape design, construction documents and construction administration services for a major renovation to the Edgewater Hotel on Lake Mendota in Madison, Wisconsin. The extensive scope for the overall project called for a historic restoration of the main hotel tower, circa. 1940; the removal of a portion of a 1970s addition to extend the view from the terminus of Wisconsin Avenue all of the way through to Lake Mendota; the construction of a new room tower, ballroom and convention facilities, and restaurants; a challenging expansion of the existing parking below the plaza; and the ambitious construction of a highly visible public plaza overlooking Lake Mendota.

The project represents a major change to the hotel and to the adjacent neighborhood as a whole. A protracted review and approval process involved numerous City of Madison committees and commissions as well as extensive neighborhood outreach and communication. Saiki Design was an active participant in the public process, shepherding the site planning and design pieces of the project through extensive reviews on behalf of the developer.

Saiki Design played an integral role in developing a comprehensive streetscape master plan and subsequent construction documents for phase one of The Village redevelopment of West State Street in downtown Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.  Through a series of public workshops and streetscape steering committee meetings, a new and exciting vision for The Village emerged that focused on enhancing its place as a unique dining and shopping destination within the greater Milwaukee area.  Building on the groundwork laid during the master planning process, Saiki Design worked as part of a multi-disciplinary team to craft a design that accomplishes an elegant, modern update that also enhances and celebrates the existing historic character of The Village.  Careful attention was paid to the selection of streetscape materials that are compatible with architectural features in The Village as well as the natural elements found along the Menomonee River.   An interactive water feature serves as the focal point and enlivens a pedestrian plaza that is flanked by existing outdoor dining space; its materials pay homage to the unique history of the area.

The streetscape enhancements address pedestrian safety and vehicular access through unique design strategies including reverse-angle parking, shared-use flexible outdoor spaces, designated bike lanes and the use of high-quality materials.   Concrete pavers, street furniture, accent lighting, limestone seating and plantings are repeated along the corridor to unify and enhance the pedestrian experience.  Silva cells and specialized soil blends optimize growing conditions for street trees and planting beds. 

Saiki Design continues to collaborate with the City of Wauwautosa, the Village Business Improvement District and key stakeholder groups in the next phases of design and construction which will include pocket parks, an integrated wayfinding system and the continuation of streetscape design elements as the City continues to rebuild aging infrastructure.