An intersection of LA’s vibrant culture, food, community and ecology

FAB Park

First and Broadway Civic Park 2019-2022 ENVIRONMENTAL GRAPHIC DESIGN

STATUS

IN PROGRESS

OMA Architect
Studio MLA Landscape Design
Samantha Choo Lead Environmental Graphics
The City of Los Angeles Client

PROJECT TEAM

Lead Environmental Graphics
Wayfinding Strategy
Signage Design
Narrative Signage
Concept Ideation To Development
Construction Documentation

ROLE

An intersection of LA’s vibrant culture, food, community and ecology

An intersection of LA’s vibrant culture, food, community and ecology +

First and Broadway Civic Center Park will be a place where people can celebrate diversity and get involved in the community. The park will have different areas for art, food, and nature, bringing people together. It will showcase Southern California's natural beauty with trees and shaded spaces, while also raising awareness about drought and climate change. There will be a multi-level restaurant pavilion that serves a variety of food options, including a beer garden. Sculpted metal canopies will float above the trees, creating interesting shadows and reflecting the city's vibrant atmosphere.

BACKGROUND

I was tasked with designing the park’s visual identity, wayfinding strategy, and interpretive graphics

City projects always pose a challenge, receiving funding, rounds of approvals from city council to the people, in addtion to the clients. In addition, given the number of people who would be using the intersection from locals to tourists. The intersection needed to have clear signage and wayfinding so that people could easily orient themselves within the project, and also, in context to the city. The intersection being located in a diverse area, and it was important to incorporate the diverse cultures that make up the community into the design.

DESIGN CHALLENGES

First and Broadway is a vibrant intersection in Downtown Los Angeles that serves as a crossroads for the diverse neighborhoods of Chinatown, Little Tokyo, and Downtown Los Angeles. The intersection is also home to the Los Angeles City Hall and Courthouse, the LA Times Building, and Grand Park, making it a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. The cultural intersection is a place where people from all walks of life come together to experience the rich culture and diversity of Los Angeles. The intersection is also a popular spot for events and gatherings, and it is home to a variety of restaurants, shops, and businesses.

ORIENTATION

Coming into a project in later phases has it’s benefits because a lot of the research and direction has already been completed and approved. However, there’s a lot of catching up to do, ensuring I am in alignment with the project direction and understanding the team dynamics.

RESEARCH

With a project involving architecture, the first thing to do is read all the zoning, building, and signage codes. With the main requirements and restrictions noted, I can safely bring value to even the first kick-off meeting.

LEGAL CODES

When joining a large project with multiple design studios and practices already deeply immersed in the project, it can feel daunting coming in blind. I made a point of being curious and learning about each team with their scope, roles, and specialties to ensure not to ruffle any feathers during each meeting.

TEAMS & CONTEXT

I studied the plans for the building and exterior site, including the sidewalks, neighboring streets and buildings, public walkways, and vehicular intersections. I had to understand pedestrian circulation paths, resting areas, gathering spaces, and locations of reserved programming spaces. Additional areas of my scope were to know where deliveries would be made, where fire hydrants, bus stops, and emergency egress locations.

PROGRAMMING & CIRCULATION

Much of the research helps establish the wayfinding strategy and tone of the project. I understood the project needed an civil voice to the design. The designs needed to be timeless, effortless, and thoughtful.

ANAYLSIS AND INSIGHTS

For the concept phase, I took the current designs and offered two distinctly different approaches to the project. The first followed the project tone with its raw brutalism through the choice of minimally altered material, fabrication, and typography. The second option offered something completely opposite. Concept 2 was a loud pop of color, I offered a chance to add a touch of whimsy and delight into a concrete city. Blending the two concepts, the teams preferred the first concept, a graphic system and identity that would blend into the space with a touch of the second concept of color and moments of whimsy scattered throughout the site.

CONCEPT

Locating the wayfinding system was a simple task after I completed my research. With knowledge of the main entry ways and intersection points, my main challenge was integrating a signage system into the project seamlessly and as non-intrusively as possible. I chose specific existing columns and walls to place pedestrian directionals so I integrated the signage into the architecture.

DEVELOPMENT

Working with a renowned landscape design team such as Mia Lehre, the choice of landscaping was a work of art. The landscaping team focused on the landscapes of Los Angeles, bringing in an ecology of native plants, to highlight the drought tolerant plants of Los Angeles. There was an effort to highlight these things through interpretive signage around the park. The main areas of focus were the ecology, hydrology, culture, and food.

INTERPRETIVE SIGNAGE

Using the landscaping design’s low-rise pre-fab concrete walls, I created a bold and simple identity for the site. My main challenge was to create a project identity that was beautiful, integrated, and activated for day and night lighting conditions.

VISUAL IDENTITY

FUNDING, COVID-19, AND HOMELESSNESS

This project went through a few design interactions and approvals with the teams, city, and community. My time in this project was approved and finished before the time of Covid-19. As I eagerly awaited the project breaking ground, I heard all things came to a halt when the budget ballooned and funding fell short. Since then the project has faced delays. H omelessness in Los Angeles has increased significantly and as of 2023, City Council member, Kevin De Leon has brought to motion the First and Broadway should be used for temporary homelessness housing until funding can be allocated for future park development.
Read more about the progression of this site here: https://la.urbanize.city/tags/fab-park

I am completely honored and grateful I was a part of this project. Working with large design firms such as Studio MLA and Gruen Architects, as given me a lot of insight about the dialogue and challenges of architecture, landscaping, and city projects. Although, I am saddened by the delays in this project, I am interested in seeing the political conversations happening around the development of this site.

REFLECTIONS

OMA Design Architect
Gruen Associates Executive Architect
Psomas Civil Engineer
Arellano Associates Community Outreach
ARUP Structural, MEP, Sustainability
RSM Design Wayfinding
Cusick Consulting Art Consultant
Development Industries Constructability Review
Francis Krahe & Associates Lighting
Lenax Cost Estimator
MJM Management Park Management Consultant
Muhlke Consulting Restaurant Consultant
Street Virus Food Culture Consultant

PROJECT TEAM