Project Data:

Firm Name:              Studio One Eleven/ Brightview Design Group

Completion Date:     6/24/2018

Square Footage:      11500

Building Use:           Community Buildings - includes dance, visual arts, digital arts, restrooms, and storage

Location:                 Irvine, CA

Project Description:

Composed of 10 new residential neighborhoods surrounding a regional sports park facility, the project is emerging on 1300 acres of the former El Toro Marine Air Base in Irvine. Each neighborhood within the development has a unique character and is anchored by a central park space, with a network of trails and open spaces creating community linkages.

Parasol Park was the first addition to the redevelopment of Great Park Neighborhoods. The park gets its name from the largest tree which remains on the Air Base, a 75 foot Stone Pine tree. The design adds an outdoor plaza with seating, patio space, and a community building. The building was strategically placed and designed to preserve the iconic tree. In order to do this, the team created a burrow under the hillside where the tree stood, blending the structure into the landscape of the surrounding area. One of the challenges in creating this space was to incorporate a gathering area that was 4 feet lower than the already existing sidewalk. In order to achieve this, the team exposed the concrete structure, which was chosen for its durability and thin profile, and a drought tolerant green roof which integrates the structure into the site improves run-off and insulates the building. They also designed a mechanical system with no rooftop equipment or exposed ducting, necessitating the need for below grade distribution. An architectural palette of teak, copper, and slate reinforces the idea that the building emerges from its natural setting, and sliding wooden doors fully open to create an indoor/outdoor environment with the new community center and outdoor plaza. The building is used to host community events and includes educational programs for residents who want to learn to about backyard science and urban sustainability. Surrounding the building is a communal garden and greenhouse staffed by an on-site urban farmer, as well as play areas and gathering spaces specifically designed to encourage socializing within the community.

Cadence Park is a village of buildings each with a unique architectural character and program serving the Great Park neighborhoods. The park features multiple buildings all with different rooflines, forming a distinctive site for the surrounding neighborhoods. Each building was developed for artistic programs including visual arts, digital media, and dance. There is also an event space that hosts a list of scheduled programs that run in conjunction with the nearby Irvine School District. The buildings are designed by material and shape and bring a sense of cohesiveness to the park through one central plaza.

Each park was designed, permitted, and built on a quick time schedule. It was less than one year from its original conception to completion.

C.O.T.E. | Committee on the Environment

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