A pig-roasting pit at a garden used by elderly immigrants and a hanging play structure for an experimental preschool are among the University of Washington projects highlighted in a new book on innovative joint ventures between schools of architecture and local communities.

"University-Community Design Partnerships: Innovations in Practice" features an illustrated chapter showcasing the accomplishments of the UW's Howard S. Wright Design/Build Studio under the direction of Professor Steve Badanes.

Badanes and his students in the College of Architecture and Urban Planning tackle two design-build projects each year, ranging from an elaborate covered pavilion at South Seattle's Bradner Gardens Park, to a three-dimensional hanging play labyrinth at the UW Experimental Education Unit, to a pig pit, barbecue area and many other enhancements at the Danny Woo International District Community Garden. All projects required strong collaboration between the student designers and community clients.

"At the heart of this book lies a conviction that design innovation is inseparable from social engagement," writes Jason Pearson, author of the book, published by the National Endowment for the Arts and distributed by Princeton Architectural Press.

Two pages also are devoted to the work of SHED, the Seattle design-build firm founded by UW architecture alumni Damon Smith, Scot Carr, Prentis Hale and Thomas Schaer.

Badanes and Smith will sign copies of the book at the December ARCADE publications party Dec. 5, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Peter Miller Books, 1930 First Ave. in Seattle.

Also signing that evening will be Professor Vikram Prakash, UW architecture chairman, whose new book from University of Washington Press is "Chandigarh's LeCorbusier: The Struggle for Modernity in Postcolonial India." It tells of how bureaucrats and architects struggled with India's colonial past and symbolic future in designing Punjab's new capital.

###
For more information, contact Badanes at (206) 543-6517 or badanes@u.washington.edu, or Prakash at (206) 616-9191 or vprakash@u.washington.edu