Project Data:

Completion Date:     10/31/2030

Square Footage:      25198

Building Use:           Library & Gardens

Project Description:

Sherman Library & Gardens originally opened in 1966 serving the community as a sanctuary and education environment for history, horticulture and the arts. This gateway to Corona del Mar acts as a custodian for regional history and art from the Pacific Southwest and as a living library for native and exotic plants.

When Sherman Library & Gardens began the process of implementing their new masterplan on the beloved site, they were committed to building upon the rich history of the gardens, engaging the community and expanding educational programs. They also wanted to maintain the charm and character of the gardens while expanding. As a non-profit, Sherman Library & Gardens serves the community; and the team was adamant about engaging the community throughout the design of the new masterplan. The design team partnered with our brand team to create a series of events called “block parties” in which we gathered feedback from neighboring families and businesses on the new masterplan. The insights from these events has directly impacted and shaped the design of the New Masterplan.

ALIGNING THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE WITH THE CORE VALUES

Early conversations surrounding the purpose of the new masterplan all circled back to more garden experiences that represented their values; yet the program didn’t call for any garden expansion. The design team took a risk and studied how to expand the garden without expanding the site footprint. The team proposed an idea that had never been considered before: take advantage of existing site topography to shift surface level parking to semi-subterranean parking and expand the heart of the campus: the Garden. The risk has resulted in a new masterplan that the client and surrounding community fell in love with.

A major design change called for a more prominent entry. The new “gateway” entry on Pacific Coast Highway is activated by opening the strong existing axis to allow more community members into the gardens. This entry also incorporates a new bell tower for the site’s historic bell. The Garden Shop, Restaurant and new Library and Gallery buildings are also relocated to PCH for enhanced visibility, visitor experience and community engagement. The newly expanded central garden walk allows for enhanced community functions such as a dedicated learning lawn, and a brand-new education center building and amphitheater. Culinary gardens and a new greenhouse building flank the learning lawn in the heart of the “edu-tainment” center. To provide equal access and opportunities, full site accessibility upgrades are incorporated into the new program.

This phased 2.2 acre masterplan will come to life in the community over the next several years with final completion in 2030. The new plan quite literally represents the client’s core values of preservation, community, creativity, growth, inclusivity, and sustainability.

Framework for Design Excellence

DESIGN FOR INTEGRATION

The new design integrates all the senses across the garden: from the sight and smell of beautiful botanicals and garden vignettes to the taste of farm-to-table meals. Plans for new sound bath locations and live music dispersed through the garden will engage your hearing. Nearly every experience visitors encounter within the gardens is intentionally planned to delight the senses: soft petals and leaves to trickling water. Incorporating the Sherman Library & Gardens’ core values played a major role in the new design. Most prominently, the project re-orients the entry onto the central gardens main axis and reinforces the garden’s commitment to history, horticulture, arts and education.

DESIGN FOR EQUITABLE COMMUNITIES

The Sherman Library & Gardens is inherently a social place, a place where human connection is encouraged and supported by the beauty of nature. To cultivate this connection and promote inclusion within the community, the team engaged neighboring families and businesses in a series of “block parties” for feedback during the entire design process. Sherman Library & Gardens currently brings in local and regional schools for learning opportunities and access to the gardens. With the addition of a new dedicated education center, they plan to expand these programs significantly, increasing the accessibility and social equity of the gardens within both our local and regional communities. One of the pillars of Sherman Library & Gardens is education beyond one’s time at the visiting. The aim of the education center's expanded programs is that it will increase the impact and reach of what students of all ages learn and take with them after they leave the gardens.

DESIGN FOR ECOSYSTEMS & DESIGN FOR ENERGY

Sherman Library and Gardens are committed to resilient strategies for the future. This project incorporates many sustainable construction approaches including adaptive reuse of existing buildings and adobe structures; and utilizing timber construction for any new buildings. Additional strategies include the recycling and use of existing items as well as local fabrication and sourcing of materials. The incorporation of energy-conscious passive ventilation and operable windows, PV panels and electronic vehicle charge stations further promotes environmental stewardship. The Masterplan re-imagines the gardens as a living lab for environmental stewardship that inspires, teaches and encourages resilient practices by showcasing them throughout the site.

DESIGN FOR WELL-BEING

Creating connections with nature that have a lasting impact beyond your time at the gardens is a goal that influenced the new design. The architecture actually follows nature’s lead and responds to it. By taking advantage of the existing, natural topography and shifting surface level parking to semi-subterranean parking, the design team was able to expand the heart of the campus to increase walking paths and amplify direct contact with nature. Enhanced programs such as outdoor yoga, meditative garden areas, sound baths for stress reduction promote a “healing garden”. Educational programs such as composting, cooking with farm to table ingredients and plant care promote continued learning and encourages overall well-being.

DESIGN FOR CHANGE

The catalyst for this project is the inevitability of change. Nature is ever evolving, and the 2.2 acre masterplan carefully considers the current and future needs of the gardens. Environmental adaptation and urban governance could profoundly affect the functionality, accessibility, and experience of the gardens in the future. Through multiple visioning sessions that included photo journaling, prioritizing experiences, defining goals, and developing performance targets; the team and client created a roadmap for the future that will ensure continued growth with minimal environmental impact.

Firm Name:              Gensler

Completion Date:     10/31/2030

Square Footage:      25198

Building Use:           Library & Gardens

Location:                 Corona del Mar, CA

Design Architect:
Gensler

Associate Architect or Firm:

Landscape Architect:
Lifescapes International

Owner / Developer:
Sherman Library and Gardens

Engineer:
Solid Rock Structural Solutions, Inc. (Structural)
Syska Hennessy Group (MEP)
Tait & Associates Inc. (Civil)

General Contractor:
Slater Builders

Consultant:
First Circle Design (Lighting)

Photographer: