Grand Kakalin
Grand Kakalin
Kaukauna, WI
Kaukauna, WI
'Kaukauna', derived from the Menomonie word 'Ogaq-kane', is interpreted as 'Place of the Pike.' A fitting name for the bend in the Fox River where northern pike congregate. Here, in the pools and eddies at the base of the river's falls, an overlook offers a quiet place for reflection and gathering. Behind, the historic limestone facade of Eagle Mill offers a warm background of industry. Although today the river is highly channelized and dammed, the story and heritage lives strong at the Grand Kakalin overlook. A hardwood deck, layered stone terraces, and weathering steel pike sculpture tie materiality to its unique location. To disguise the base of the sculpture, a repetitive series of fluted steel tubes emerge from the landscape as sculptural vegetation.
Landscape architectural services provided for this project included sculpture design & modeling, site concept & historical research, hardscape & grading, railing & furnishing selection, and planting design.
This project was designed under the tenure of Saiki Design. Sculpture fabrication by L&N Metalworks. Photography by Shane Bernau.
'Kaukauna', derived from the Menomonie word 'Ogaq-kane', is interpreted as 'Place of the Pike.' A fitting name for the bend in the Fox River where northern pike congregate. Here, in the pools and eddies at the base of the river's falls, an overlook offers a quiet place for reflection and gathering. Behind, the historic limestone facade of Eagle Mill offers a warm background of industry. Although today the river is highly channelized and dammed, the story and heritage lives strong at the Grand Kakalin overlook. A hardwood deck, layered stone terraces, and weathering steel pike sculpture tie materiality to its unique location. To disguise the base of the sculpture, a repetitive series of fluted steel tubes emerge from the landscape as sculptural vegetation.
Landscape architectural services provided for this project included sculpture design & modeling, site concept & historical research, hardscape & grading, railing & furnishing selection, and planting design.
This project was designed under the tenure of Saiki Design. Sculpture fabrication by L&N Metalworks. Photography by Shane Bernau.
Design Concept
Design Concept
The "Place of the Pike" became a driving metaphor for the concept design of Grand Kakalin's overlook. The literal imagery brings sense of place to the forefront and appropriately ties into educational programming just yards away at the Kaukauna Public Library and Children's Garden. Like the fish from which the name derives, the overlook provides space for visitors to congregate and mingle in awe of the river's force.
The "Place of the Pike" became a driving metaphor for the concept design of Grand Kakalin's overlook. The literal imagery brings sense of place to the forefront and appropriately ties into educational programming just yards away at the Kaukauna Public Library and Children's Garden. Like the fish from which the name derives, the overlook provides space for visitors to congregate and mingle in awe of the river's force.
