Newport Beach Civic Center and Park

Using the central organizing principles of governmental transparency, democracy, clarity, and sustainability, BCJ worked with the City to develop a new Civic Center, creating what Council Member Ed Selich hailed as a "new civic vision" for the City. A new city hall, library addition, and new garage bound a new public outdoor space, the city’s "civic green." This civic core opens onto a new 17-acre park that includes a restored wetland. The Civic Center was designed to be understood at the scale and speed of the car, while providing a satisfying sense of place for users who come to the city hall, library, and park. The project is inspired by its Southern California beachside location, reflected in the light and airy palette, the many subtle nautical references, and the numerous outdoor spaces around the city hall and library made possible by the almost always sunny, pleasant climate. The site features a series of native and drought tolerant landscape settings encompassing a rehabilitated wetland, children’s and picnic areas, a new dog park, and two belvederes with commanding views of the Pacific Ocean. The two site parcels are traversed by a web of walking trails and connected with a new pedestrian bridge. ...