Project Description
FROM THE ARCHITECTS:
The City of Costa Mesa broke ground on its Lions Park project, designed by Culver City-based architecture firm, Johnson Favaro, on July 28, 2017. The centerpiece of the redevelopment will be a new, two-story, 22,500-square foot library. The project also includes the renovation and repurposing of the existing, old library and the redevelopment of approximately 2.8 acres of park land.
The Donald Dungan Library will contain two community meeting rooms, a makerspace for children and young adults, a 3,500-square foot children's library, and a dramatic, high-ceilinged and light filled second-floor adult reading room and collections area with magnificent views of the newly redeveloped park. The architecture of the new library mixes a mid-20th century modernist sensibility that was in vogue when cities like Costa Mesa came of age with features that recall early California architecture, such as the original adobe structures and the Junipero Serra missions, to create an entirely new architecture that is at once surprising and rooted in its place.
“We are thrilled to be working with the City of Costa Mesa to transform Lions Park into a much-deserved vibrant hub for culture and community,” said principal architect, Steve Johnson.
The old library, situated at the other end of the redeveloped portion of the park, will be renovated and repurposed as a new community center that includes a state-of-the-art events venue accommodating 300 people. It will replace the existing community center building, which will be demolished to make way for an acre of reclaimed park open space. The redevelopment will include a large unobstructed lawn for outdoor community events, new recreation areas, gardens, as well as a new park concessions kiosk.