The new design for the existing Park Valencia—the proverbial heart of the Santana Row District—is meant to reinvent, rejuvenate, and recharge this successful and vibrant multi-use plaza space. INTERSTICE proposed to design a new and exciting identity which builds on its popularity, while integrating two new perimeter food kiosks along its southern edge. The kiosks form a garden trellised border, redefining the intimate plaza where new landscape elements create a playful and engaging atmosphere within the intentionally more flexible open plaza. The park is imagined as a gathering of creatures in an oasis: a folded green lawn slopes up to form a sculptural water feature, surrounded by giant chameleon sculptures which share the pond and create a focus to the space.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The chameleons engage the raised seat walls, situated in the four compass positions. They are larger than life, life-like yet abstract, made of pre-cast concrete, smooth and colorful. A chameleon theme is featured in these sculptural elements, in the play area, and the fence surrounding the play area, as well as throughout the larger Santana Row District. The green is an artificial turf centerpiece to the plaza space and serves as a flexible place for play, picnicking, sun-bathing, lounging, and viewing for the stage. The west end of the green slopes gently up to a sitting height with a deep-cast concrete edge for casual seating.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Realignment and renovation of the existing stage creates an improved entry with better visibility and circulation, alignment of the plaza green with the stage for enjoying programmed events, and areas for movable tables and chairs associated with new and existing eating establishments, while the stage is materially unified with the surrounding planters.

 

 

 

 

• Commercial
• In Progress
• Landscape
• Park