Tacoma has been shaped by a cycle of civic renaissances and renewals, each leaving behind its indelible imprint. Projecting Drop compresses these layers of history and ambition into a simple expression of past forms, present actions and future vitality.

The project tells the story of a Turkish bathhouse discovered beneath the plaza and provides a clear material link between the City’s past and future. A brilliant blue hexagonal tile surface marks the space of the historic bath below, and brings colour, life and identity to the space. Embedded text allows people to access and share in the City’s collective identity. The form of the City is constantly changing but its past is always just below the surface.

Location: Tacoma, WA
Status: Construction begins 2010