client: seattle city light
project size: 20 mile stretch of the Pend Oreille River
project responsibilities: assessment, design, project and fabrication management
facility signage: wayfinding, interpretive & code signs, site map, project logo, rack card, tear way map and concept web site.
while at michael courtney design

BOUNDARY HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT is a 20-mile stretch of the Pend Orielle River, located 300 miles from Seattle in the northeast corner of the state. Boundary Dam generates 1/3 of Seattle’s electricity. Using a program of integrated communication pieces for visitors, locals and customers we were tasked with telling the story of the project and identifying various locations within the project. It’s remote location, box canyon surroundings and vast water level changes daily and seasonally created challenges in designing and locating signage. Our process started with three Visioning Sessions with very diverse groups of stakeholders and an assessment of the physical site to help shape our design process. Concept designs were driven by ideas derived from our preliminary client and stakeholder contacts. Attractive, approachable and durable were the directives.