Landscape architect chosen for Orange County Great Park in Irvine, California
Ken Smith is ready for his prime time close up in the O.C.
As posted in Clippings earlier, the political wrangling has come to an end, and the Orange County Great Park board has selected Ken Smith's design team for the commission. The three finalists offered two compelling designs, and one competent but, to quote Chris Hawthorne, "irredeemably bland." The Smith team proposal had received high marks from the public via an online poll as well as two design juries.
The winning project team lead by Ken Smith is composed of Enrique Norton of TEN Arquitectos, artist Mary Miss, Buro Happold Engineers, Mia Lehrer + Associates, and ecologist Steve Handel.
The design concept is broken into three integrated yet distinct elements, "Three Parks in One: The Canyon, the Habitat Park, and the Fields and Military Memorial." The team states its goal to set new standards for sustainability, ecological responsibility and public space in Southern California. Ground breaking is expected this spring, with some parts of the park opening as early as 2008.
Link: Orange County Great Park
Link: Ken Smith Presentation Doc 1 Doc 2 (pdf)
Article: O.C. Register - Ken Smith selected as Great Park designer
Reference: Orange County Great Park (L+L)
The Canyon
The proposed Great Park Canyon is a heavily planted Canyon nearly 2-1/2 miles long with 60-70 feet of elevation change, functioning as both recreational space and wildlife habitat. The southern end of the Canyon terminates in a large public space with major cultural facilities.
The Fields
The Fields will provide large open spaces along with smaller gathering spaces among open green space. Demonstration orchards and fields will commemorate the O.C.'s agricultural history. Many acres of open lawns will provide gathering spaces and recreational fields. A sports park will offer a major concentration of athletic facilities including playing fields and courts, a track, gym and swimming facilities. The Military Memorial will make used of portions of the El Toro runway which will be used to display 50 historic aircraft. Other portions of the runways will be used to create a meandering walk to connect the park from side to side.
The Wetlands
The Bee Creek Wetlands serve as a floodplain and treatment wetland for urban runoff. The area will provide wildlife habitiats in the form of vernal pools, streams, sandbars and wetlands and will provide access via nature trails, boardwalks and interpretative stations.
Orange Balloons and Bikes:
Providing both vertical and horizontal access to the park, Smith proposes three tethered hot air balloons, and a fleet of bicycles, all providing the obvious orange cirlce motif for the park's identity. The balloons would also serve as icons visible from a distance to mark the Great Park.
