Ken Saiki Design | Landscape Architects

State Street is Madison’s downtown retail main street.  It forms a physical and symbolic connection between the State Capitol and the University of Wisconsin.  It also reflects the city’s diversity and lifestyle.  The re-design of the streetscape updated the image of State Street while enhancing the quality of the retail environment.  Challenges also included event programming and promotion, maintenance, street tree health and preservation. An extensive public involvement process, including more than 100 meetings, was instrumental to the success and acceptance of the redesign.  

-Design Team:  MSA Professional Services, lead consultant, civil and mechanical engineering; Ken Saiki Design, landscape architecture and streetscape design, KJWW, electrical engineering and lighting design, ZD Studios, environmental graphics and State St. brand design, Jill Sebastian, Public Artist.

-Client:  City of Madison, City Engineering and Planning and Development Departments,

Ken 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.  

In the early 1900’s, the State Capitol Park was designed in concert with the building by renowned Landscape Architect, John Nolen. Starting in 1999, Ken Saiki Design participated in planning and implementation of Wisconsin’s State Capitol grounds as part of the restoration and renovation of the Capitol building.  This multi-million dollar effort restored the Capitol to its original glory, including meticulous restoration of frescoes, stained glass, intricate woodwork, stone floors and furniture; while updating the infrastructure of the building with contemporary data, HVAC, security and communication systems.  Restoration was based on the original architectural design. 

Likewise, the rehabilitation of the State Capitol Park was closely based on the original design, while recognizing the current uses of the Capitol Square, Madison’s true central park.  The State Capitol Park Rehabilitation Master Plan brought together historians, politicians, State of Wisconsin staff, University of Wisconsin scholars and the consultant team to craft a plan reflecting its historic structure while looking forward to its function in contemporary downtown Madison. 

Reconstruction of the “promenade”, the outer edge of the Capitol Square, introduced high quality materials, lighting, and optimized tree growing conditions. Improvements also disguised security measures in a newly composed streetscape and event venue that recalls the original John Nolen design.   

-Awards:  American Society of Landscape Architects, Wisconsin Chapter

-Rehabilitation Master Plan Design Team:  Ken Saiki Design, Professor Arnold Alanen and  Eric McDonald, University of Wisconsin, Department of Landscape Architecture, J.P. Cullen.

-Promenade Reconstruction:  Ken Saiki Design, Affiliated Engineers, electrical engineering and lighting design, Graef Anhalt and Schloemer, structural engineering, MSA Professional Services, civil engineering.

Ken 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. Ken 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.

Ken 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, Ken 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. 

Ken 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.