The prominent spaces of this mixed-use development comprise an art-walk along the main boulevard and a grand plaza that mediates between the public sphere and the multi-family residential units. Along the art-walk, a continuous pattern of palms and shade trees provides contextual rhythm. The geometry of the ground plane unifies the architecture and the street, creating a stage for artwork and cultural exhibits. Boulders provide seating, as well as opportunities for carvings and text. The grand plaza is a large space that can be expanded by closing the roadway with bollards, allowing the entire space to be programmed for special activities. The expansive canopy of date palms, placed on a grid like architectural columns, helps to define an outdoor room and outdoor stage. The language of the art-walk carries into the public plaza. The paving pattern takes its cues from the architectural elevations, and includes flagstone, colored concrete, and score joints punctuated by seating boulders and lawn areas. Water features further unify the grand plaza and offer cooling in the arid desert climate.
Location: Palm Springs, CA
Architecture: DesignARC