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Steffan
Wachholtz, former UCLA Design Department Teaching Associate,
recipient of the American Society of Interior Design (ASID) Interior
Product Design Award and the Resources Council Product Design Award
(ROSCOE) and Nettleton’s Addition resident, has fabricated the first
of a series of
.jpg) Nettleton’s
Addition Historic District entrance signs. The dramatic
sculptural monument is made from reclaimed industrial steel and
stands over 12’ tall. The sign element consists of a vertical, 6’,
stainless steel plate reading “NETTLETON 1887,” the year the
addition was platted. This project was funded by Seattle-based
developer Nitze-Stagen and
Spokane Preservation
Advocates.
Wachholtz’
work, which often gives new life to reclaimed materials, reflects
the story of Nettleton’s Addition, which began as a turn-of-the-19th-Century
streetcar suburb and has recently gained notice as Washington
State’s largest National Historic District. “I encourage redesign
over simply recycling,” reads Wachholtz’ Design Statement. “In many
instances, the energy required for recycling, coupled with the loss
of energy and technology associated with the original object,
results in a net loss in energy and resources. Yet, through artful
rearrangement, modification and augmentation, we can keep the
original object substantially in tact while still finding new life,
beauty and vitality
.jpg) in
its use.”
Wachholtz
is a Spokane native, graduating from West Valley High School before
earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Fort Wright College and a
Master of Fine Arts in Design from UCLA. After a successful
twenty-year career owning a design/art fabrication business in
Venice, CA, Wachholtz returned to Spokane in 2003 where he has
“redesigned” a unique Nettleton’s Addition home where he continues
his creative pursuits. His work can be seen at
www.wachholtz.com.
Nettleton’s
Addition is named for William
Nettleton, whose work in Spokane and the mid-west facilitated
westward expansion by rail. Nettleton’s Addition was among
Spokane’s earliest streetcar suburbs catering to the housing needs
of the emerging turn-of-the-century middle-class. 70% of the
current housing stock was built prior to 1910. Nettleton’s Addition
was added to the
Washington State Heritage Register in 2005 and the
National Register of Historic
Places in 2006.
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