Project Description
PROVIDED BY THE ARCHITECTS:
Landscape architect James Corner Field Operations designed Tongva Park and Ken Genser Square to act as a gateway into downtown Santa Monica, a community destination, and a city landmark. FFP, as the project architect, designed the park’s comfort station as a grotto embedded in the rolling landscape. A large light-well and light tubes illuminate the “non-building” facility, which complements art by Inigo Manglano-Ovalle as well as outlook viewing structures by JCFO. The park, based on the environmental theme of the arroyo, will have an important cultural role within the community, providing an informal place for play, picnicking, strolling, jogging, sitting, and viewing. The bike and pedestrian paths create a series of physical linkages that unifies the open spaces, which also feature public art, horticultural exhibits, and commemorative elements. The square will serve as the focus for community gatherings and civic events and become the “democratic space” symbolic of Santa Monica’s City Government and community dialogue.