I-405 Totem Lake Freeway Station - Art Walls

The walls of the new median HOV on- and off-ramps at NE 128th Street will have a pattern of maple leaves and maple seeds on a background of rocks and pebbles. This pattern suggests the properties of wind and water, connecting the freeway to the natural environment and waterfront of Kirkland.

Including patterned walls on this project is part of an effort to ensure that when we develop freeway projects, we consider community values and environmental goals equally with transportation. This approach is called Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS).


A pre-cast panel showing the maple leaf design. We'll build parts of the art walls from  panels such as this, which are manufactured off site.  Other parts of the walls will be cast in place (poured into forms/molds on site – see below).


A pre-cast panel showing the maple seeds design.


Placing a form (mold) for a test wall. We needed to test the concrete mix and pouring methods for the art walls in an area that would be covered up later. We poured a test wall on the back of the support for the new NE 128th bridge near 116th Ave. NE.


The completed test wall. After the project team inspected the test wall, we filled in this area behind the bridge support. The test wall is no longer visible.


The real thing. Crews poured concrete into the forms/molds to create a section of art wall in the I-405 median. A maple leaf form is visible in the right foreground.


After the concrete hardened, crews removed the molds and revealed the patterned wall surface.


A close-up of the new patterned wall in the I-405 median.


Another view of the new patterned wall in the I-405 median. The pattern is carefully laid out to emphasize a horizontal/diagonal movement in the direction of travel.


A wide shot of the new patterned wall in the I-405 median. The pattern is designed to be visually pleasing as you drive by.