PULLMAN, Wash.– The first feature of Pullman’s developing Terre View Park on Military
Hill is now in place, thanks to 17 Washington State University architecture students.
An ingenious boardwalk-pier over a pond was designed and built in five weeks by students
in Mike Owen’s third-year architecture studio. The project includes seating, railings and an
opening to allow cattails to grow through. A steel-framed ramp connects two levels of the pier.
Additionally, an interpretive sign was built to detail features and credit contributors.
Because the pier was built in a wetland, water in the excavation for the foundation had to be
continuously pumped to maintain a dry working area. The pier structure consists of pre-cast
concrete footings, wood decking, joists, beams and posts that are pressure-treated with
non-toxic preservatives. The detailed and crafted cedar benches and railings are constructed
using precise Japanese joinery.
Larry Fetter, Pullman’s new director of public services, authorized funding to cover the cost
of materials. Because the public will use it, the pier required construction approval from the city’s
building inspector. Bertel Olson, retired CEA professor of civil engineering, donated his time to
complete a geotechnical analysis and write an endorsement letter to the city.
Community planning, design and building projects are common exercises for WSU’s School
of Architecture. Students and faculty have made significant contributions to community
redesigns of buildings, parks, facilities and main streets in Pullman, Wapato, Willapa Bay,
Spokane, East Wenatchee, Toppenish and other cities in the past six years.
The pier will be dedicated in September.
Contributors to the Terre View Park pier were: Holly Anderson, Pendleton, Ore.; Sean
Arrasmith, West Linn, Ore; Licia Arnot, Liberty Lake; Ryan Call, Yakima; Chris Davidson,
Renton; Emily Dixon, Kennewick; Brie Gargano, Pullman; Jason Haase, Tenino; Chris Hope,
Tacoma; Josh Hull, Pasco; Matt Marek, Spokane; Andre Miesch, Pullman; Megan Olson, Brush
Prairie; Shawn Ross, Granger; Richard Taimanglo, Port Orchard; Bethany Vrbas, Oak Harbor; and
Yoke Oh, Singapore.
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