Welcome to the latest GGLO news.

12/13/2007

GGLO launches new website


GGLO announces a completely revamped website, designed from the ground up to be reflective of the firm’s values and character. The new site features an intuitive design and several innovations that will make using the site an enjoyable experience, such as a redesigned portfolio section, a powerful search tool and, in the near future, a portal for client and employee access to shared project information.

The firm’s hallmark—an integrated approach to design—is a clear statement on the new site. GGLO has understood the advantages to a more holistic approach to their work for years, and both the organization of the site and the information on the site support this concept.

Another goal of the site is to push the personality and character of the firm forward. Many firms bury their people deep within the site, choosing to focus only on their design products.

“Initially, Clients choose to work with us because of our past success and our reputation,” states Jeff Foster, Principal at GGLO. “They come back because of our people. The quality of the experience of working together is as important to us as the work itself.”

A new, behind-the-scenes content management system (CMS) gives GGLO the power to change any aspect of the site quickly and easily. The new GGLO blog, called the “GLOG”, provides an additional forum for discussion and comment.

Mark Wainwright, Marketing Manager at GGLO, loves the new power and flexibility with the site. “During the last wave of website design, many firms created full-blown Flash sites that were neither flexible nor search engine-friendly. Our new site is bigger, easy to update, loads faster, and is literally tied into search engines.


12/04/2007

Fremont Peak Park opens



The City of Seattle held a ribbon cutting ceremony at Fremont Peak Park on November 10th, 2007. The opening was a spectacular reflection of the park’s goal – to support the surrounding community and to create an urban oasis. A cake modeled on the park, music, a clear sky and more than 250 neighbors filled the senses and inspired all visitors.

“We couldn’t have asked for a better day: the sun was shinning, we had live music, the skyline was clear – the whole site was at its best, just in time to for everyone to experience”, said Marieke Lacasse of GGLO, the Landscape Architect for the project.

Fremont Peak Park is a new 24,000 SF park in Seattle that integrates a significant stand of native trees with works of art to create an ‘urban oasis’ with panoramic views of northwest Seattle and the Olympic Mountains. Comprised of three residential lots, the site is tucked into a neighborhood high on the west slope of Palatine Avenue North.

The challenge for GGLO was to design a quiet, contemplative setting that preserved existing vegetation, enhanced access to the panoramic view, and captured the artistic spirit of the surrounding community. Three park zones, a natural meadow, a woodland, and a showcase viewpoint are connected by paths that borrow from the Greek myth of the Minotaur. Native plantings broaden habitat potential and protect neighbor privacy.

For most visitors, the view will be the motive to visit Fremont Peak Park, with art elements and contemplative and natural settings serving to enrich the park experience. The project design team included GGLO and Laura Haddad.