Former Environmental Works staff Brad Collins describes the first days at Fire Station 7

Former Executive Director Steve Johnson, now Principal at Johnson Oakliff Architecture & Planning, describes the role the staff of Environmental Works had in the creation of one of Seattle’s most beloved interactive sculptures:

Richard Beyer | Waiting for the Interurban, 1978 | Fremont, Seattle

Jan Gleason, who saw herself as a “social worker in three dimensions,” served as Environmental Works’s executive director from 1997 to 2008.  She designed more than 50 child care centers, as well as affordable housing, medical clinics, and community centers.  Jan co-authored a manual on child care design which has been distributed nationally.  Only the 64th female licensed architect in Washington, she was named a fellow of the American Institute of Architects in 2006.

Jan would regularly voice and act on her belief that affordable housing and child care centers “should be more than just a roof over somebody’s head. Dismal, dreary spaces are oppressive. Light and connections with the outside make us feel better. We believe everybody deserves them.”  Her manner manifested this dedication: she always greeted people with a genuine "How are you?" and cared deeply about everyone in her broadly-defined community.   Her commitment to collaborate with and raise the voices of all communities continues to drive EW’s work today.