Newport Beach Civic Center and Park by Bohlin Cywinski Jackson

Recent update: Bernard J. Cywinski, dies at age 70 on March 2, 2011

The City of Newport Beach has charged Bohlin Cywinski Jackson and team with designing a forward-looking, iconic new Civic Center and Park, consisting of a City Hall, 450 space parking garage and addition to the existing library, all set within a new 17 acre park.

Newport Beach Civic Center and Park

• Architects: Bohlin Cywinski Jackson
• Project location: Newport Beach, California
• Project year: 2011 – 2012

Sustainability is central to the organization of this building. The rhythmic, wave-shaped roofs provide shelter for the two-story City Hall building, their generous overhangs providing sun shading for indoor occupants. Clerestories with operable windows, along with dimmable lighting, create even north-facing light. Under floor air and operable windows will provide views and clean, comfortable air in Newport Beach’s benign climate. Together these passive design strategies provide savings in mechanical and lighting costs.

The 'sails'

Site plantings will include a mixture of native and drought tolerant species that will blend with an existing wetland on the site, as well as offer significant savings in water use. These and other features will help achieve the City’s goal of a LEED Silver rating for this project.

Under the 'sail'

The entrance to the new Civic Center is marked by the council chamber with its iconic ‘sail’ and the neighboring transparent community space, the City’s ‘living room’. The Civic Green, bounded by the new garage and library addition, will serve as the City’s ?front lawn’. The library addition will provide much needed reading space at this popular facility. It will also serve as a second, new entry from the Civic Green.

Aerial view

The Civic Center is nestled within the new park, and will serve as a gateway to a series of outdoor program elements including interpretive trails, children’s play areas, a pedestrian bridge, a dog park and two belvederes that capitalize on the site’s commanding view of the Pacific Ocean.

Walkway

The project is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2012.

Plan

Tags: California, Newport Beach

Category: Public Landscapes

This entry was posted on Monday, March 7th, 2011 at 4:53 am. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.