Saiki Design | Landscape Architects

Saiki Design led a consultant team in the preparation of final design and construction documents for Lisa Link Peace Park. The downtown Madison mini-park space had been the subject of years of study and controversy.  A relatively neglected urban open space, Peace Park had been viewed as a detriment to the downtown landscape by many, and depending on the point of view, was also a needed refuge for the homeless and a marketplace for illegal and anti-social activities. Regardless, there was little dispute that the park was under utilized and needed an update.

A volunteer committee, created by Madison’s City Council met for two years and their efforts resulted in the recommendation of a single concept master plan that was subsequently approved. The final design, prepared by Saiki Design, was based on that concept and evolved through a myriad of additional meetings and hearings.

The essence of the plan was to provide access to the park for the entire community. To that end, a welcome center was constructed to house downtown “ambassadors” available to assist visitors and residents with information, maps, recommendations and directions. Public rest rooms in the building that was constructed as part of the project housed a satellite police office and included a police desk, a place for officers to recharge equipment, write reports and created a subtle police presence in the park. The park itself was designed for events of various sizes and contains water features, seating, game tables and other amenities for day-to-day activities.

Elizabeth Link Peace Park received numerous accolades from the local media as well as an Excellence in Design award from the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects.   

Saiki Design has been involved with planning and design at Olbrich Botanical Gardens since 1992.  Our work began with a master plan, developed in a collaborative effort with Sasaki Associates.  The master plan addressed program needs for Olbrich’s extensive education program, the horticulture gardens and support spaces, the conservatory, maintenance and storage facilities and special event activities.  Plan recommendations included overall facility organization and circulation, new garden integration, land acquisition and phased development.  Subsequent work included assisting Olbrich with long range development and a master plan update to address the addition of the Garver Feed Mill property.  

Saiki Design has led collaborative teams to design a number of specific gardens within the property.  Garden design work included renovation of the Sunken Garden, a new Perennial Garden, design of the Donors’ Arbor, development of the Discovery Dock, site planning and expansion of the Botanical Garden for the Thai Pavilion and surrounding gardens.  Saiki Design also led a team of architects, engineers and horticulturists in the planning and design of the award-winning Centennial Rose Garden.  Most recently, Saiki Design worked on an Education Center and Greenhouse renovation project that will significantly expand Olbrich’s educational and outreach offerings and their plant propagation and production capabilities.

Saiki Design was part of a multi-disciplinary team that developed a Preservation Master Plan for the restoration of Taliesin, the home and roots of Frank Lloyd Wright and, arguably, his most representative building embodying organic architecture.  The master plan required a significant effort to understand the theoretical underpinnings and history of the evolving residence. Through a series of in-depth discussions with Taliesin Preservation, Inc and additional research and site-based observations, the design team and client determined that it was neither appropriate nor sustainable for the master plan to advocate the simple replication of an earlier form.

The master plan considers appropriate material selection; layout of natural centers and connections; scale and definable boundaries paths and appropriate signage. The result of such efforts is an increased awareness of how Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin successfully integrates the building with the landscape through his understanding of Nature.

The Taliesin Preservation Master Plan received an Excellence in Planning award from the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects.   

Saiki Design completed a master plan for the University of Wisconsin-Madison Lakeshore Nature Preserve (formerly Campus Natural Areas) which encompasses approximately 300 acres within the urban setting of the UW-Madison campus.  The Preserve includes a complex matrix of forests, prairies, wetlands, and former savanna ecosystems, each having unique requirements for access, maintenance, and preservation/restoration.

An extensive site analysis brought to light numerous issues and challenges that impacted the health of the Preserve; from the presence of invasive species to the impacts of off-site runoff on Preserve hydrology to user impacts in ecologically sensitive areas. The presence of archaeological resources and historic structures added yet another layer of depth and challenge in planning and design. The Master Plan provided broad recommendations for vegetation management, human use and stormwater management but also explored a finer level of detail in planning and design that included recommendations for site features along circulation routes, creation of a design vocabulary for signage and materials, and formulation of recommendations for trail types and standards.

The Lakeshore Nature Preserve Master Plan received an Honor Award from the Society for Campus and University Planning (SCUP) and a planning award of excellence from the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects.

Since 1851, Christ Presbyterian Church has supported people of faith and encouraged them to come together to worship, grow  and serve.  The organization initiated a fundraising campaign to remodel and expand the existing building.  As part of that project, the leadership team envisioned a new entry courtyard and gardens that would foster individual spiritual growth, support the core mission of the church and enhance the well-being of the congregation and the community at large.

Saiki Design was responsible for all aspects of site planning and development including initial concepts and visioning, detailed site design, materials selection and planting design for the courtyard which serves as the physical transition to the building and the symbolic transition to worship.  Inviting, curving asymmetrical lines flow through the new building’s interior and extended through the glass curtainwall and into the courtyard’s pavement banding and woven paver design.  The link between interior and exterior provides incredible views from all levels of the building, tying together the building and the site.    

The courtyard balances space for large gatherings with the creation of  small contemplative nooks and areas for people of all ages to explore.  Symbolic details in pavers, stone, plant types and colors provide meaningful visuals on a person’s journey from the reality of the parking lot to the metaphysical space of worship in the sanctuary; the courtyard is the brief pause in a sequence of welcoming, path finding and spiritual journey.  As one CPC member wrote, “We have enjoyed each of the four seasons in our new landscape and continue to receive complements on the creative and functional design.”

Saiki Design worked with the leadership team at the Christ Presbyterian Church (CPC) on a project to envision an interactive outdoor play space.  Located in an underutilized area immediately outside of Fellowship Hall, the Castlescape provides play opportunities for people of all ages, from young children to adults. Inspired by the site’s historic use as a castle and grounds in the late 1800s, the design features an arcing layout of patios and walks, and uses castle-like materials. The congregation and design committee provided a long wish list of program elements, which resulted in a patio, play spaces for children ages two to five with slides, sand play, creative play, and a reading circle, as well as a longer embankment slide for older children and adults. Castle turrets and slides interconnect in a modern interpretation of Chutes and Ladders, taking advantage of the site’s steeply sloped embankment and using the topography to create overlooks, nooks, and challenging passageways. The design also includes a cobble drainage swale “moat” for stormwater management, as well as wooden boardwalks with a “draw-bridge.”

The idea for the playscape was initially conceived during a landscape master planning process led by Saiki Design but funding priorities at the time were focused on completing the entry plaza and landscape portions of the master plan. The CPC leadership team has recently taken a renewed interest in completing the Castlescape portion of the master plan and realize their desire for an educational outdoor space.  Saiki Design has been retained to prepare design and construction documents for the Castlescape which supports the five major principles, or “Pillars,” of Christ Presbyterian Church’s remodeling goals: welcome, children, worship, education, and community action and mission.