March 31, 2023

In early 2022, I joined the Sasaki Foundation with hopes of working with community experts towards solutions to challenges in their neighborhoods, learning from practitioners about equity in design and planning, and engaging young people in meaningful employment in the design industry. I am thrilled that this hope became reality as we transitioned back to in-person programming, moved downtown with Sasaki, and built new partnerships over the past year.

January 18, 2022

Although 2021 was a year of remote work and staff transitions, the Sasaki Foundation continued our impact through active community-based research, public programming, and design education. We’re proud of the work we and our partners accomplished this past year.

e-Newsletter

Stay updated with the latest stories, news, and events.

August 20, 2021

In spring 2021, the Sasaki Foundation hosted a panel discussion titled Feminist Practices in Design and Data, with Lori Brown, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Professor at Syracuse University and Co-Founder at ArchiteXX; Danielle Wood, Assistant Professor in the Program in Media Arts and Sciences and the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics at MIT; Katlyn Turner, Research Scientist at MIT Media Lab; and Catherine D’Ignazio, Director of the Data and Feminism Lab and Assistant Professor of Urban Science and Planning at MIT. The discussion was moderated by Sasaki senior planner Elaine Limmer.

March 10, 2021

Alicia Deluga connected with David Brade from the Boston Area Research Institute (BARI) to discuss their 2021 conference, Building Back Smarter. The Sasaki Foundation is a promotional partner for this year’s conference.

February 11, 2021

In 2020, the Sasaki Foundation celebrated our 20th anniversary. While the year brought many unexpected challenges, the COVID-19 pandemic and the summer of racial reckoning highlighted the importance of our work in harnessing the power of design thinking to promote equity and empower local communities. Thanks to generous donors, thoughtful partners, and engaged research teams, we were able to adapt, deliver on our mission, and celebrate impact in the communities we serve.

December 10, 2020

In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Sasaki Foundation, we hosted a virtual event on October 22, sponsored by Landscape Forms, with Chief Karilyn Crockett, Chief of Equity for the City of Boston, and Mary Anne Ocampo, Sasaki Foundation board chair and principal at Sasaki.

WP_Query Object
(
    [query] => Array
        (
            [post_type] => Array
                (
                    [0] => post
                )

            [post_status] => Array
                (
                    [0] => publish
                )

            [posts_per_page] => 1
        )

    [query_vars] => Array
        (
            [post_type] => Array
                (
                    [0] => post
                )

            [post_status] => Array
                (
                    [0] => publish
                )

            [posts_per_page] => 1
            [error] => 
            [m] => 
            [p] => 0
            [post_parent] => 
            [subpost] => 
            [subpost_id] => 
            [attachment] => 
            [attachment_id] => 0
            [name] => 
            [pagename] => 
            [page_id] => 0
            [second] => 
            [minute] => 
            [hour] => 
            [day] => 0
            [monthnum] => 0
            [year] => 0
            [w] => 0
            [category_name] => 
            [tag] => 
            [cat] => 
            [tag_id] => 
            [author] => 
            [author_name] => 
            [feed] => 
            [tb] => 
            [paged] => 0
            [meta_key] => 
            [meta_value] => 
            [preview] => 
            [s] => 
            [sentence] => 
            [title] => 
            [fields] => 
            [menu_order] => 
            [embed] => 
            [category__in] => Array
                (
                )

            [category__not_in] => Array
                (
                )

            [category__and] => Array
                (
                )

            [post__in] => Array
                (
                )

            [post__not_in] => Array
                (
                )

            [post_name__in] => Array
                (
                )

            [tag__in] => Array
                (
                )

            [tag__not_in] => Array
                (
                )

            [tag__and] => Array
                (
                )

            [tag_slug__in] => Array
                (
                )

            [tag_slug__and] => Array
                (
                )

            [post_parent__in] => Array
                (
                )

            [post_parent__not_in] => Array
                (
                )

            [author__in] => Array
                (
                )

            [author__not_in] => Array
                (
                )

            [search_columns] => Array
                (
                )

            [ignore_sticky_posts] => 
            [suppress_filters] => 
            [cache_results] => 1
            [update_post_term_cache] => 1
            [update_menu_item_cache] => 
            [lazy_load_term_meta] => 1
            [update_post_meta_cache] => 1
            [nopaging] => 
            [comments_per_page] => 50
            [no_found_rows] => 
            [order] => DESC
        )

    [tax_query] => WP_Tax_Query Object
        (
            [queries] => Array
                (
                )

            [relation] => AND
            [table_aliases:protected] => Array
                (
                )

            [queried_terms] => Array
                (
                )

            [primary_table] => wp_posts
            [primary_id_column] => ID
        )

    [meta_query] => WP_Meta_Query Object
        (
            [queries] => Array
                (
                )

            [relation] => 
            [meta_table] => 
            [meta_id_column] => 
            [primary_table] => 
            [primary_id_column] => 
            [table_aliases:protected] => Array
                (
                )

            [clauses:protected] => Array
                (
                )

            [has_or_relation:protected] => 
        )

    [date_query] => 
    [request] => 
					SELECT SQL_CALC_FOUND_ROWS  wp_posts.ID
					FROM wp_posts 
					WHERE 1=1  AND wp_posts.post_type = 'post' AND ((wp_posts.post_status = 'publish'))
					
					ORDER BY wp_posts.post_date DESC
					LIMIT 0, 1
				
    [posts] => Array
        (
            [0] => WP_Post Object
                (
                    [ID] => 235481
                    [post_author] => 2
                    [post_date] => 2023-08-30 10:21:44
                    [post_date_gmt] => 2023-08-30 14:21:44
                    [post_content] => [et_pb_section fb_built="1" module_class="mongo-image" _builder_version="4.21.0" background_image="https://www.sasakifoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/R_230818_N53_blogheader.jpg" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_row column_structure="1_8,3_4,1_8" module_class="mongo-image-with-text" _builder_version="4.16" background_size="initial" background_position="top_left" background_repeat="repeat" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="1_8" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="3_4" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_text admin_label="Header small text" module_class="slide-big" _builder_version="4.21.0" global_colors_info="{}"]

August 30, 2023

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label="Header big text" module_class="slide-white slide-massive-2 " _builder_version="4.21.0" custom_css_main_element="font-size:6vw;||line-height:6.2vw;" global_colors_info="{}"]

SEED students design urban farm and artist kiosk

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="1_8" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built="1" module_class="padding-top-0" _builder_version="4.16" background_image="https://www.sasakifoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/blog-background.png" background_size="initial" background_position="top_left" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_row column_structure="1_8,3_4,1_8" _builder_version="4.16" custom_margin="50px|||" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="1_8" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="3_4" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_text admin_label="Post Date" module_class="post-date" _builder_version="4.21.0" text_font="|600|||||||" text_text_color="#d59999" text_font_size="20px" text_letter_spacing="2px" text_line_height="24px" custom_margin="||20px|" text_font_size_last_edited="off|" global_colors_info="{}"]

August 30, 2023

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label="Post Title" _builder_version="4.21.0" text_font="|700|||||||" text_font_size="40px" text_line_height="48px" custom_margin="||50px|" global_colors_info="{}"]

SEED students design urban garden and artist kiosk

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label="Author" module_class="post-date" _builder_version="4.21.0" text_font="|600|||||||" text_text_color="#d59999" text_font_size="20px" text_letter_spacing="2px" text_line_height="24px" custom_margin="||20px|" text_font_size_last_edited="off|" global_colors_info="{}"]

Estefany Benitez

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="1_8" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure="1_8,3_4,1_8" _builder_version="4.16" background_size="initial" background_position="top_left" background_repeat="repeat" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="1_8" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="3_4" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_text module_class="bod-bio body-text" _builder_version="4.21.0" global_colors_info="{}"]

This summer, the Sasaki Foundation hosted our sixth annual Summer Exploratory Experience in Design (SEED) program. For six weeks, we hosted 43 high school students representing 10 Boston neighborhoods and six Greater Boston communities. Students spent their summer learning, growing, and creating concepts for Groundwork Somerville’s New Urban farm and the kiosk that will be used by artists at 10 World Trade.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="1_8" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure="1_8,3_8,1_2" module_class="sasaki-half-image-content-box" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="50px||50px|" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="1_8" module_class="order-1" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="3_8" module_class="order-3" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_text module_class="sasaki-post-content body-text" _builder_version="4.21.0" text_font_size="20px" text_line_height="24px" header_3_font="|700|||||||" header_3_font_size="40px" global_colors_info="{}"]

SEED 1, an introductory experience to design, allowed the SEED interns to analyze two of the proposed sites for Groundwork Somerville’s New Urban Farm. Groundwork Somerville is strongly committed to youth development, so this project was perfectly aligned with their mission to empower youth. In six smaller teams, SEED interns conducted an in-depth environmental, social, and cultural analysis of the sites to determine what activities and structures the organization could implement. With the help of their design mentors, each team took into consideration the site uses, materials to incorporate, and the structures to install, so that their respective sites would reach their highest potential. With newly acquired design program skills, students were able to create visual renderings of their site plans, which allowed them to clearly visualize how their sites would look and how they would be used. 

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="1_2" module_class="right-col-padding-left-only order-2" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_image src="https://www.sasakifoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/03_IMG_8251-scaled.jpg" title_text="03_IMG_8251" align_tablet="center" align_phone="" align_last_edited="on|desktop" admin_label="SEED site visit" _builder_version="4.21.0" global_colors_info="{}"][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label="Caption1" module_class="caption-1 margin-top-50" _builder_version="4.21.0" custom_padding="|||50px" global_colors_info="{}"]

SEED students visited Spectacle Island in Boston Harbor and learned about the island's history

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure="1_8,3_4,1_8" _builder_version="4.16" background_size="initial" background_position="top_left" background_repeat="repeat" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="1_8" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="3_4" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_text module_class="bod-bio body-text" _builder_version="4.21.0" global_colors_info="{}"]

SEED 2, our more advanced track, allowed students already familiar with design to experience the pressure of a real competition. Both teams were able to produce excellent work. One of the kiosk designs, the Chromapod, attempted to connect 10 World Trade to the natural environment by imitating a native species of octopus. The other design, WeTu,  aimed to increase the representation of Indigenous cultures of Massachusetts through a weaving structure. Both designs were impressive and meticulously planned. We were honored to have been part of the first youth-led design competition and to have team Sassafras win with their WeTu design! Their kiosk will be fabricated in the next 18 months.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="1_8" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure="1_2,1_2" module_class="sasaki-half-image-content-box" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="50px||50px|" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="1_2" module_class="order-1" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_image src="https://www.sasakifoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Copy-of-PXL_20230726_153752710-scaled.jpg" title_text="Copy of PXL_20230726_153752710" align_tablet="center" align_phone="" align_last_edited="on|desktop" admin_label="10 World Trade site tour" _builder_version="4.21.0" global_colors_info="{}"][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label="Caption1" module_class="caption-1 left-col-caption-1 margin-top-50" _builder_version="4.21.0" custom_padding="|||50px" global_colors_info="{}"]

SEED students toured the 10 World Trade site in Boston, MA

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="1_2" module_class="right-col-padding order-2" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_text module_class="bod-bio body-text" _builder_version="4.21.0" global_colors_info="{}"]

As a part of the program, the SEED teaching assistants created workshops that introduced students to the basics of Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign, as well as the 3D modeling program SketchUp. All teams impressed staff and mentors with the level of work they were able to produce in just six weeks; many students took it upon themselves to master their favorite program. This year the Sasaki Foundation also implemented the Commonwealth Corporation’s Signal Success curriculum, which was a great opportunity for personal and professional development. For a lot of students, this internship was their first job and their first chance to start acquiring the soft skills necessary to be successful in the workplace. 

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure="1_8,3_4,1_8" _builder_version="4.16" background_size="initial" background_position="top_left" background_repeat="repeat" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="1_8" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="3_4" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_text module_class="bod-bio body-text" _builder_version="4.21.0" hover_enabled="0" global_colors_info="{}" sticky_enabled="0"]

This year’s SEED program was an incredible opportunity to see each youth blossom at their own pace. They went from nervous, inexperienced youth to knowledgeable, communicative, and poised speakers. Their final presentations demonstrated just how much young people can excel when given opportunity, support, and resources. The Sasaki Foundation looks forward to staying connected with all these wonderful individuals. Youth development truly is rewarding work; it requires a lot of time, intentionality, and understanding of each student at their current level. The SEED internship is impactful on all who are involved in it. Staff and mentors not only guide students through this experience, but also learn so much about our younger generation, how they think, and what matters to them. Each summer, we are amazed at how much SEED students grow and at what they are able to accomplish, and 2023 was our most impactful yet.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="1_8" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure="1_8,3_4,1_8" _builder_version="4.16" background_size="initial" background_position="top_left" background_repeat="repeat" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="1_8" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="3_4" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_gallery gallery_ids="235491,235492,235490,235493,235487,235489,235495,235488,235494" posts_number="9" show_pagination="off" _builder_version="4.21.0" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][/et_pb_gallery][et_pb_text module_class="bod-bio body-text" _builder_version="4.21.0" global_colors_info="{}"]

Get a closer look at this summer’s SEED experience on Instagram with our SEED 2023 highlights, and watch the final presentations on YouTube.

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_video src="https://youtu.be/taQcGWi50pQ" _builder_version="4.21.0" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][/et_pb_video][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="1_8" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure="1_8,3_4,1_8" _builder_version="4.16" background_size="initial" background_position="top_left" background_repeat="repeat" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="1_8" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="3_4" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_text admin_label="acknowledgements" module_class="sasaki-post-content body-text" _builder_version="4.21.0" text_font_size="20px" text_line_height="24px" header_3_font="|700|||||||" header_3_font_size="40px" global_colors_info="{}"]

 

The Sasaki Foundation would like to thank this summer’s SEED Staff and Teaching Assistants: Folajimi Bademosi (youth manager), Emily Menard (senior teaching assistant), Ezekiel Lucas, Sabiha Miahjee (2020 SEED alum), Noushin Nawal, Nisarga Ramesh, Ruth Saenz, and Jillian Ziegler.

The Sasaki Foundation gives a special thanks to all of our design mentors this year. The time and energy they gave to each of our teams was invaluable and impactful. Our students walked away with so much knowledge and so many connections. SEED 1 design mentors were Gidiony Alves, Sophie Bellamare, Diane Athaide, Anirudh Bodempudi, Nick Dyer, Eileen Gainfort, Mario Ghosn, Kongyun He, Catherine Hunley, Seungeun Lee, Yasmin Maura-Orihuela, Jesus Mendoza Gonzalez, Aeshna Prasad, Rinika Prince, Andrew Sell, Hyeji Sheen, Fanke Su, and Chris Winkler. SEED 2 design mentors were Isaac Andrade, Jared Barnett, Naomi Canino, Hannah Gibson, Alexandre Kinney, Mytreyi Metta, Yixin Miao, Emily Parris, Liwei Shen, and Lucca Townsend.

We would also like to recognize the Sasaki principals and additional staff that participated this year. This program is a rich experience thanks to all of your efforts and contributions. Principals who took part in the weekly interviews were principal and landscape architect Andrew Gutterman, ASLA, PLA; associate principal and architect Meredith McCarthy, AIA; CEO James Miner, AICP; principal and urban designer Mary Anne Ocampo; principal, architect, interior designer, and Chair of Architecture and Interior Design Victor Vizgaitis, AIA, LEED AP; and principal, landscape architect, and Chair of Design Culture Tao Zhang, ASLA, PLA, LEED AP ND, SITES AP. Individuals who presented projects and 101 sessions were Sally Ferrell, Helina He, Felicia Jiang, Mia Kania, Alison Nash, Ponnapa Prakkamakul, Jenn Robertson, Tristan Rock, Mary Sullivan, and Debbie Wallis. Thank you also to Mubarak Ware (2022 SEED alum), who presented as a first year design student at the University of Miami.

Finally, thank you to all our funders, partners, and supporting organizations, who made this summer’s program possible.

Funders: MassHire Metro North Workforce Board via Commonwealth Corporation, City of Boston Office of Youth Employment & Opportunity, Boston Global Investors, Sasaki, and LeMessurier

Partners: Sasaki, Artists For Humanity, Isenberg Projects, and Groundwork Somerville

Supporting Organizations: Boston Planning & Development Agency, Boston Society for Architecture, Boynton Yards, City of Somerville, DREAM Collaborative, Greentown Labs, MASS Design Group, Reclaim Roxbury, Save the Harbor/Save the Bay, and USQ

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="1_8" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure="1_8,3_4,1_8" _builder_version="4.16" use_background_color_gradient="on" background_image="https://www.sasakifoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/previous-post.png" custom_padding="100px||100px|" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="1_8" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="3_4" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_text admin_label="PREVIOUS POST" _builder_version="4.16" text_font="|600|||||||" text_font_size="20px" text_letter_spacing="2px" text_line_height="24px" global_colors_info="{}"]PREVIOUS POST[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label="Previous Post Link" _builder_version="4.21.0" text_font="|700|||||||" text_font_size="40px" text_line_height="48px" custom_margin="50px|||" global_colors_info="{}"]

Sasaki Foundation kicks of 2023 SEED program on July 10

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="1_8" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure="1_8,3_8,3_8,1_8" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="100px||100px|" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="1_8" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="3_8" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_text admin_label="Twitter" module_class="twitter-heading" _builder_version="4.16" text_font="|600|||||||" text_font_size="20px" text_letter_spacing="2px" text_line_height="24px" global_colors_info="{}"]TWITTER[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label="Twitter Feed" module_class="twitter-feed" _builder_version="4.16" global_colors_info="{}"][custom-twitter-feeds] [/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label="Follow Us Link" module_class="follow-us-link-wrapper" _builder_version="4.16" text_font="|700|||||||" text_text_color="#ffffff" text_font_size="20px" text_letter_spacing="5px" text_line_height="27px" global_colors_info="{}"]Follow Us[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="3_8" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_text admin_label="E-Newsletter Form" _builder_version="4.16" global_colors_info="{}"][gravityform id="1" title="true" description="true" ajax="true"] [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="1_8" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section] [post_title] => SEED students design urban farm and artist kiosk [post_excerpt] => This summer, the Sasaki Foundation hosted our sixth annual Summer Exploratory Experience in Design (SEED) program. For six weeks, we hosted 43 high school students representing 10 Boston neighborhoods and six Greater Boston communities. Students spent their summer learning, growing, and creating concepts for Groundwork Somerville’s New Urban farm and the kiosk that will be used by artists at 10 World Trade. [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => seed-students-design-urban-farm-and-artist-kiosk [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2023-08-30 10:43:27 [post_modified_gmt] => 2023-08-30 14:43:27 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://www.sasakifoundation.org/?p=235481 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) ) [post_count] => 1 [current_post] => -1 [in_the_loop] => [post] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 235481 [post_author] => 2 [post_date] => 2023-08-30 10:21:44 [post_date_gmt] => 2023-08-30 14:21:44 [post_content] => [et_pb_section fb_built="1" module_class="mongo-image" _builder_version="4.21.0" background_image="https://www.sasakifoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/R_230818_N53_blogheader.jpg" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_row column_structure="1_8,3_4,1_8" module_class="mongo-image-with-text" _builder_version="4.16" background_size="initial" background_position="top_left" background_repeat="repeat" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="1_8" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="3_4" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_text admin_label="Header small text" module_class="slide-big" _builder_version="4.21.0" global_colors_info="{}"]

August 30, 2023

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label="Header big text" module_class="slide-white slide-massive-2 " _builder_version="4.21.0" custom_css_main_element="font-size:6vw;||line-height:6.2vw;" global_colors_info="{}"]

SEED students design urban farm and artist kiosk

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="1_8" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built="1" module_class="padding-top-0" _builder_version="4.16" background_image="https://www.sasakifoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/blog-background.png" background_size="initial" background_position="top_left" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_row column_structure="1_8,3_4,1_8" _builder_version="4.16" custom_margin="50px|||" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="1_8" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="3_4" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_text admin_label="Post Date" module_class="post-date" _builder_version="4.21.0" text_font="|600|||||||" text_text_color="#d59999" text_font_size="20px" text_letter_spacing="2px" text_line_height="24px" custom_margin="||20px|" text_font_size_last_edited="off|" global_colors_info="{}"]

August 30, 2023

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label="Post Title" _builder_version="4.21.0" text_font="|700|||||||" text_font_size="40px" text_line_height="48px" custom_margin="||50px|" global_colors_info="{}"]

SEED students design urban garden and artist kiosk

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label="Author" module_class="post-date" _builder_version="4.21.0" text_font="|600|||||||" text_text_color="#d59999" text_font_size="20px" text_letter_spacing="2px" text_line_height="24px" custom_margin="||20px|" text_font_size_last_edited="off|" global_colors_info="{}"]

Estefany Benitez

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="1_8" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure="1_8,3_4,1_8" _builder_version="4.16" background_size="initial" background_position="top_left" background_repeat="repeat" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="1_8" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="3_4" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_text module_class="bod-bio body-text" _builder_version="4.21.0" global_colors_info="{}"]

This summer, the Sasaki Foundation hosted our sixth annual Summer Exploratory Experience in Design (SEED) program. For six weeks, we hosted 43 high school students representing 10 Boston neighborhoods and six Greater Boston communities. Students spent their summer learning, growing, and creating concepts for Groundwork Somerville’s New Urban farm and the kiosk that will be used by artists at 10 World Trade.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="1_8" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure="1_8,3_8,1_2" module_class="sasaki-half-image-content-box" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="50px||50px|" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="1_8" module_class="order-1" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="3_8" module_class="order-3" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_text module_class="sasaki-post-content body-text" _builder_version="4.21.0" text_font_size="20px" text_line_height="24px" header_3_font="|700|||||||" header_3_font_size="40px" global_colors_info="{}"]

SEED 1, an introductory experience to design, allowed the SEED interns to analyze two of the proposed sites for Groundwork Somerville’s New Urban Farm. Groundwork Somerville is strongly committed to youth development, so this project was perfectly aligned with their mission to empower youth. In six smaller teams, SEED interns conducted an in-depth environmental, social, and cultural analysis of the sites to determine what activities and structures the organization could implement. With the help of their design mentors, each team took into consideration the site uses, materials to incorporate, and the structures to install, so that their respective sites would reach their highest potential. With newly acquired design program skills, students were able to create visual renderings of their site plans, which allowed them to clearly visualize how their sites would look and how they would be used. 

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="1_2" module_class="right-col-padding-left-only order-2" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_image src="https://www.sasakifoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/03_IMG_8251-scaled.jpg" title_text="03_IMG_8251" align_tablet="center" align_phone="" align_last_edited="on|desktop" admin_label="SEED site visit" _builder_version="4.21.0" global_colors_info="{}"][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label="Caption1" module_class="caption-1 margin-top-50" _builder_version="4.21.0" custom_padding="|||50px" global_colors_info="{}"]

SEED students visited Spectacle Island in Boston Harbor and learned about the island's history

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure="1_8,3_4,1_8" _builder_version="4.16" background_size="initial" background_position="top_left" background_repeat="repeat" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="1_8" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="3_4" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_text module_class="bod-bio body-text" _builder_version="4.21.0" global_colors_info="{}"]

SEED 2, our more advanced track, allowed students already familiar with design to experience the pressure of a real competition. Both teams were able to produce excellent work. One of the kiosk designs, the Chromapod, attempted to connect 10 World Trade to the natural environment by imitating a native species of octopus. The other design, WeTu,  aimed to increase the representation of Indigenous cultures of Massachusetts through a weaving structure. Both designs were impressive and meticulously planned. We were honored to have been part of the first youth-led design competition and to have team Sassafras win with their WeTu design! Their kiosk will be fabricated in the next 18 months.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="1_8" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure="1_2,1_2" module_class="sasaki-half-image-content-box" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="50px||50px|" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="1_2" module_class="order-1" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_image src="https://www.sasakifoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Copy-of-PXL_20230726_153752710-scaled.jpg" title_text="Copy of PXL_20230726_153752710" align_tablet="center" align_phone="" align_last_edited="on|desktop" admin_label="10 World Trade site tour" _builder_version="4.21.0" global_colors_info="{}"][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label="Caption1" module_class="caption-1 left-col-caption-1 margin-top-50" _builder_version="4.21.0" custom_padding="|||50px" global_colors_info="{}"]

SEED students toured the 10 World Trade site in Boston, MA

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="1_2" module_class="right-col-padding order-2" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_text module_class="bod-bio body-text" _builder_version="4.21.0" global_colors_info="{}"]

As a part of the program, the SEED teaching assistants created workshops that introduced students to the basics of Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign, as well as the 3D modeling program SketchUp. All teams impressed staff and mentors with the level of work they were able to produce in just six weeks; many students took it upon themselves to master their favorite program. This year the Sasaki Foundation also implemented the Commonwealth Corporation’s Signal Success curriculum, which was a great opportunity for personal and professional development. For a lot of students, this internship was their first job and their first chance to start acquiring the soft skills necessary to be successful in the workplace. 

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure="1_8,3_4,1_8" _builder_version="4.16" background_size="initial" background_position="top_left" background_repeat="repeat" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="1_8" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="3_4" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_text module_class="bod-bio body-text" _builder_version="4.21.0" hover_enabled="0" global_colors_info="{}" sticky_enabled="0"]

This year’s SEED program was an incredible opportunity to see each youth blossom at their own pace. They went from nervous, inexperienced youth to knowledgeable, communicative, and poised speakers. Their final presentations demonstrated just how much young people can excel when given opportunity, support, and resources. The Sasaki Foundation looks forward to staying connected with all these wonderful individuals. Youth development truly is rewarding work; it requires a lot of time, intentionality, and understanding of each student at their current level. The SEED internship is impactful on all who are involved in it. Staff and mentors not only guide students through this experience, but also learn so much about our younger generation, how they think, and what matters to them. Each summer, we are amazed at how much SEED students grow and at what they are able to accomplish, and 2023 was our most impactful yet.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="1_8" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure="1_8,3_4,1_8" _builder_version="4.16" background_size="initial" background_position="top_left" background_repeat="repeat" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="1_8" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="3_4" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_gallery gallery_ids="235491,235492,235490,235493,235487,235489,235495,235488,235494" posts_number="9" show_pagination="off" _builder_version="4.21.0" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][/et_pb_gallery][et_pb_text module_class="bod-bio body-text" _builder_version="4.21.0" global_colors_info="{}"]

Get a closer look at this summer’s SEED experience on Instagram with our SEED 2023 highlights, and watch the final presentations on YouTube.

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_video src="https://youtu.be/taQcGWi50pQ" _builder_version="4.21.0" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][/et_pb_video][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="1_8" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure="1_8,3_4,1_8" _builder_version="4.16" background_size="initial" background_position="top_left" background_repeat="repeat" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="1_8" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="3_4" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_text admin_label="acknowledgements" module_class="sasaki-post-content body-text" _builder_version="4.21.0" text_font_size="20px" text_line_height="24px" header_3_font="|700|||||||" header_3_font_size="40px" global_colors_info="{}"]

 

The Sasaki Foundation would like to thank this summer’s SEED Staff and Teaching Assistants: Folajimi Bademosi (youth manager), Emily Menard (senior teaching assistant), Ezekiel Lucas, Sabiha Miahjee (2020 SEED alum), Noushin Nawal, Nisarga Ramesh, Ruth Saenz, and Jillian Ziegler.

The Sasaki Foundation gives a special thanks to all of our design mentors this year. The time and energy they gave to each of our teams was invaluable and impactful. Our students walked away with so much knowledge and so many connections. SEED 1 design mentors were Gidiony Alves, Sophie Bellamare, Diane Athaide, Anirudh Bodempudi, Nick Dyer, Eileen Gainfort, Mario Ghosn, Kongyun He, Catherine Hunley, Seungeun Lee, Yasmin Maura-Orihuela, Jesus Mendoza Gonzalez, Aeshna Prasad, Rinika Prince, Andrew Sell, Hyeji Sheen, Fanke Su, and Chris Winkler. SEED 2 design mentors were Isaac Andrade, Jared Barnett, Naomi Canino, Hannah Gibson, Alexandre Kinney, Mytreyi Metta, Yixin Miao, Emily Parris, Liwei Shen, and Lucca Townsend.

We would also like to recognize the Sasaki principals and additional staff that participated this year. This program is a rich experience thanks to all of your efforts and contributions. Principals who took part in the weekly interviews were principal and landscape architect Andrew Gutterman, ASLA, PLA; associate principal and architect Meredith McCarthy, AIA; CEO James Miner, AICP; principal and urban designer Mary Anne Ocampo; principal, architect, interior designer, and Chair of Architecture and Interior Design Victor Vizgaitis, AIA, LEED AP; and principal, landscape architect, and Chair of Design Culture Tao Zhang, ASLA, PLA, LEED AP ND, SITES AP. Individuals who presented projects and 101 sessions were Sally Ferrell, Helina He, Felicia Jiang, Mia Kania, Alison Nash, Ponnapa Prakkamakul, Jenn Robertson, Tristan Rock, Mary Sullivan, and Debbie Wallis. Thank you also to Mubarak Ware (2022 SEED alum), who presented as a first year design student at the University of Miami.

Finally, thank you to all our funders, partners, and supporting organizations, who made this summer’s program possible.

Funders: MassHire Metro North Workforce Board via Commonwealth Corporation, City of Boston Office of Youth Employment & Opportunity, Boston Global Investors, Sasaki, and LeMessurier

Partners: Sasaki, Artists For Humanity, Isenberg Projects, and Groundwork Somerville

Supporting Organizations: Boston Planning & Development Agency, Boston Society for Architecture, Boynton Yards, City of Somerville, DREAM Collaborative, Greentown Labs, MASS Design Group, Reclaim Roxbury, Save the Harbor/Save the Bay, and USQ

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="1_8" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure="1_8,3_4,1_8" _builder_version="4.16" use_background_color_gradient="on" background_image="https://www.sasakifoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/previous-post.png" custom_padding="100px||100px|" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="1_8" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="3_4" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_text admin_label="PREVIOUS POST" _builder_version="4.16" text_font="|600|||||||" text_font_size="20px" text_letter_spacing="2px" text_line_height="24px" global_colors_info="{}"]PREVIOUS POST[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label="Previous Post Link" _builder_version="4.21.0" text_font="|700|||||||" text_font_size="40px" text_line_height="48px" custom_margin="50px|||" global_colors_info="{}"]

Sasaki Foundation kicks of 2023 SEED program on July 10

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="1_8" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure="1_8,3_8,3_8,1_8" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="100px||100px|" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="1_8" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="3_8" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_text admin_label="Twitter" module_class="twitter-heading" _builder_version="4.16" text_font="|600|||||||" text_font_size="20px" text_letter_spacing="2px" text_line_height="24px" global_colors_info="{}"]TWITTER[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label="Twitter Feed" module_class="twitter-feed" _builder_version="4.16" global_colors_info="{}"][custom-twitter-feeds] [/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label="Follow Us Link" module_class="follow-us-link-wrapper" _builder_version="4.16" text_font="|700|||||||" text_text_color="#ffffff" text_font_size="20px" text_letter_spacing="5px" text_line_height="27px" global_colors_info="{}"]Follow Us[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="3_8" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_text admin_label="E-Newsletter Form" _builder_version="4.16" global_colors_info="{}"][gravityform id="1" title="true" description="true" ajax="true"] [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="1_8" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section] [post_title] => SEED students design urban farm and artist kiosk [post_excerpt] => This summer, the Sasaki Foundation hosted our sixth annual Summer Exploratory Experience in Design (SEED) program. For six weeks, we hosted 43 high school students representing 10 Boston neighborhoods and six Greater Boston communities. Students spent their summer learning, growing, and creating concepts for Groundwork Somerville’s New Urban farm and the kiosk that will be used by artists at 10 World Trade. [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => seed-students-design-urban-farm-and-artist-kiosk [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2023-08-30 10:43:27 [post_modified_gmt] => 2023-08-30 14:43:27 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://www.sasakifoundation.org/?p=235481 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [comment_count] => 0 [current_comment] => -1 [found_posts] => 80 [max_num_pages] => 80 [max_num_comment_pages] => 0 [is_single] => [is_preview] => [is_page] => [is_archive] => [is_date] => [is_year] => [is_month] => [is_day] => [is_time] => [is_author] => [is_category] => [is_tag] => [is_tax] => [is_search] => [is_feed] => [is_comment_feed] => [is_trackback] => [is_home] => 1 [is_privacy_policy] => [is_404] => [is_embed] => [is_paged] => [is_admin] => [is_attachment] => [is_singular] => [is_robots] => [is_favicon] => [is_posts_page] => [is_post_type_archive] => [query_vars_hash:WP_Query:private] => 2f41fbf7381527b29021df633e096c63 [query_vars_changed:WP_Query:private] => [thumbnails_cached] => [allow_query_attachment_by_filename:protected] => [stopwords:WP_Query:private] => [compat_fields:WP_Query:private] => Array ( [0] => query_vars_hash [1] => query_vars_changed ) [compat_methods:WP_Query:private] => Array ( [0] => init_query_flags [1] => parse_tax_query ) )
the power of design
belongs to all of us
2019 SEED high school internship
Incubator at Sasaki | Watertown, Massachusetts
the power of design
belongs to all of us
Team at the Incubator at Sasaki
Watertown, Massachusetts
the power of design
belongs to all of us
Team at the Incubator at Sasaki
Watertown, Massachusetts
the power of design
belongs to all of us
Patron touching art in the Please Touch the Art exhibit
Mosesian Center for the Arts | Watertown, Massachusetts | photo courtesy Matt Jatkola

The Sasaki Foundation fosters equity and inclusivity by engaging diverse groups and individuals in the design of the environment. We sponsor research and programs that empower communities and strengthen education in design.

Events

Plant Propagation Party

September 27, 2023

Join the Sasaki Foundation for a plant propagation party in partnership with Sasaki and the Cambridge Science Festival! Bring yourself, and plant clippings if you have them. Meet some new friends, learn about the science of propagation, have a drink, and celebrate the Cambridge Science Festival. Never propagated plants before? No worries. Here is a useful guide for propagating common houseplants in water. Don’t have any houseplants? That’s okay, too! You can still participate, hang out, and go home with a new plant.

What we do

The Sasaki Foundation is committed to empowering communities by tackling the issue of inequity in design. The Foundation works with communities, civic leaders, practitioners, educators, and others to support research and programs that diversify the voices involved in shaping the built environment.

1

Research & Experimentation

Complex challenges—such as climate change adaptation, affordable housing, mobility and transit access, and community building—require interdisciplinary approaches by a diverse set of stakeholders.

2

Community Learning & Engagement

Meaningfully engaging the public in the design process offers the greatest opportunity for success in sustaining communities.

3

Professional Practice & Growth

Industries that have a diverse talent pool and an inclusive creative process are the most successful. A thriving design industry needs a pipeline of diverse, talented, and passionate practitioners.

History

In 2000, the Hideo Sasaki Foundation was established by Sasaki, a multidisciplinary design firm, and included a bequest from the family of Hideo Sasaki, an internationally renowned landscape architect who was admired for his teaching, critical abilities, and multidisciplinary approach to design. Today, the Sasaki Foundation carries forward Hideo Sasaki’s legacy by blurring the boundaries that separate practice and research, academia and industry, the profession and the public to co-create change to shape the built environment.

 

Hideo Sasaki

1970s