Ellen has extensive experience in the design and development of public spaces and urban streetscapes. Informed by a background in urban studies and broad experience in integrating art into public infrastructure projects and identifying opportunities for art, she has created art master plans, design guidelines and conceptual designs for public agencies. She is interested in creating a balance between broad concepts and the particular- through design details that reveal little known facts or history of a site, creating layers of meaning. Over the years, she has collaborated extensively with architects, landscape architects, urban designers, engineers, artists and scientists. Her art plans are most often developed as a result of extensive community engagement, research, and on-site observations. The plans can result in working documents for use by other artists or provide the basis for the development of specific works of art of her creation. Below is a selected list of completed plans:
Listen to Ellen speak about her role as a design team artist for the Brightwater Waste Water Treatment System.
DIRIDON STATION AREA ART MASTER PLAN
Ellen collaborated with Dan Corson on the overall art plan for the redevelopment of the Diridon Station Area as a multimodal transportation center for the City of San Jose, California. She served on the design team for overall area strategies for the streetscape, underpasses and the station itself.
PORT ANGELES WATERFRONT ART FRAMEWORK PLAN
Ellen served on the design team for the redevelopment of the waterfront and contributed to the overall concept plan and to specific design details. She developed the Art Framework Plan which set forth a long term plan for art integration.
KENT VALLEY LOOP TRAIL ART MASTER PLAN
Ellen developed a comprehensive strategy for integrating art throughout the trail system. This included site specific, site integrated and functional work that would be completed over several years. She identified potential projects, sites, budgets, themes and characteristics. She undertook community unique outreach efforts, including an Instagram photo contest that resulted in more than 80 entries.
BRIGHTWATER ART MASTER PLAN
Ellen Sollod collaborated with Buster Simpson and Jann Rosen-Queralt on the master plan for the Brightwater Waste Water Treatment Plant and Conveyance System. They served on the design team for the plant with Mithun Architects, Hargreaves Associates Landscape Architects and CH2MHill. Ultimately, each completed artworks for the plant. Ultimately, 12 artists were commissioned for works totaling more than $3 million.
CITY OF REDMOND, WA, PUBLIC ART MASTER PLAN
Ellen collaborated with Carolyn Law to develop a comprehensive strategy for public art in the City of Redmond. Envisioning a lively and ever changing panoply of art, the Plan articulated goals, principles, strategies and recommended policies and procedures for implementation. A comprehensive identification of art opportunities built on the concept of LACE (Leading With Art and Cultural Engagement) as a dynamic way of engaging across city departments to realize diverse art projects and programs.
BELLINGHAM, WA, ARTS DISTRICT CONCEPT PLAN AND STREETSCAPE GUIDELINES
Ellen collaborated with Nakano Associates Landscape Architects and Springline Civil Engineering on the project. Together they developed three model projects, including the Plaza at Bay and Holly which also became a festival street.