Urban Design / Civic Center
South Bay Area, CA
This project is a case study on how a civic center can be created on the same site as the existing civic center. The site is currently also occupied by retail stores that are set to be demolished. While research, surveys, and assumptions identified the public users of this site and how to suit their needs best, political uncertainties over whether the current government group occupying the site would stay or move during construction led to a more innovative design. To better allow for flexibility, a multi-phase strategy was developed to allow the existing user groups to stay on the site and remain fully functional until new administrative buildings are constructed. However, with the constraints of changes in office (of elected officials) and funding reallocations, there is a possibility that all the phases may not be completed. In response, each phase is a project on its own that aims to create vibrant public space even if it is ultimately left as the permanent state.