Mercer Court Opening Includes Urban Farm

October 25, 2013 - Yesterday was the opening of Mercer Court Apartments, the University of Washington’s newest residence halls. Gustafson Guthrie Nichol’s design for the 4.5-acre site was led by Founding Partner Jennifer Guthrie and Senior Associate Tess Schiavone.
 
The residence halls sit within a 1-acre working farm, much of which is above the parking garage. The farm includes a series of raised beds and terraces that allow for a variety of produce from fruit trees, berries, rotating vegetable crops and herbs. The farm is primarily organized and operated by student volunteers, and the University of Washington will purchase farm produce to use in their cafes and dining halls.
 
“For a student living in a nine-story building to be able to pick rosemary or carrots in their backyard is a really unique experience,” said Jessica Rashid, Resident Director of Mercer Court.
 
The landscape design also includes a 20,000-sf plaza, seating areas, native and adaptive planting, and a pilot project for the Burke Gilman Trail. Additional sustainable aspects of the project are highlighted in The Daily.