2025 Estelle Street P-Patch Pavilions

The Estelle Street P-Patch is a community garden located in Seattle’s Mount Baker neighborhood. Established by local residents, community organizations, the garden has become an important gathering place for gardeners, neighbors, and multiple generations of families. Its informal garden beds, handmade trellises, pathways, and shared spaces reflect the history and character of the surrounding community.

The Neighborhood Design Build Studio was tasked with improving the garden’s three primary entrances and creating a new central gathering pavilion. The project included covered seating, trellises, community message boards, new gateways, and improved pathways. The design focused on making the garden more welcoming, accessible, and secure while preserving the unique qualities of the existing space.

The project team included graduate and undergraduate students who worked together through site visits, design charrettes, models, drawings, and client presentations. Feedback from gardeners and neighbors helped guide the design, materials, and placement of each structure.

After completing the construction drawings, the students prefabricated the wood and steel components at the University of Washington. The finished pieces were transported to the garden and installed on site. Students built the gateways, pavilion, benches, trellises, roof, message boards, and surrounding pathways. The completed project was opened to the community with a ribbon-cutting celebration and neighborhood barbecue.