HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 8.3 AvalonBay Artor
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DATE:
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT
STAFF REPORT
CITY COUNCIL
April 16, 2013
Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
Joni Pattillo City Manager""'
AvalonBay Communities, Inc. Public Art Project
Prepared by Ann Mottola, Heritage and Cultural Arts Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
CITY CLERK
File #900 -50
AvalonBay Communities, Inc. is currently under construction with a residential development
adjacent to the East Dublin BART Station on Iron horse Parkway and Demarcus Boulevard. As
part of their Development Agreement, the developer opted to install public art instead of paying
the in -lieu fee. Per the Public Art Master Plan, all private developers are required to meet with
the Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission for review of the artwork. Upon recommendation by
the Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission, the developer is also required to seek final approval
of the artwork by the City Council.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
1101
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that City Council approve the artwork proposed by AvalonBay, Inc.
Submitted B Reviewed By
Director of Parkzand Assistant City Manager
Community Services
DESCRIPTION:
Background
AvalonBay Communities, Inc. (AvalonBay), is one of the developers of the Dublin Transit
Center, including Dublin Station and Dublin Station II, and has been actively engaged in the
City's public art program. The representative of AvalonBay, Jeff White, served on the Public Art
Selection Committee for the East Dublin BART Station that selected the artist, Cliff Garten.
Page 1 of 3 ITEM NO. 8.3
While the original plan for the project was for Mr. Garten to create two artworks at two different
locations within the Transit Center, it became evident during the design process that the budget
was not adequate for artwork at both locations. Mr. Garten requested the entire budget be put
toward one sculpture of a more significant scale at the BART plaza. Mr. Garten's request was
endorsed by the Selection Committee and City Staff, and approved by the City Council. As a
result, the steel and light sculpture, "Dubliner" was installed at the plaza area of the Dublin East
BART Station. Also at that time AvalonBay generously offered to provide an additional artwork
valued at $50,000 at the median east of Campbell Green at Iron Horse Parkway, which exceeds
the requirements of the Public Art Ordinance.
Attachments 1 and 2 show the site plan and existing conditions.
Artist Selection Process
The Public Art Master Plan encourages private developers to follow an artist selection process
consistent with the City's policies for selection of artists and artworks. AvalonBay has
demonstrated a process similar to a limited or invitational competition. AvalonBay contracted
with Art Consultant Chandra Cerrito to facilitate the artist selection process. Cerrito presented
over 25 qualified public artists to the development team. From those, five artists were selected
as finalists. Finalists received materials regarding the site and project. Each prepared a
presentation of past work relevant to possible directions for this project and they presented their
work to the development team during interviews.
Based on the interview and artists' past work, the development team selected Wowhaus.
Attachment 5 is the artists' resume. Wowhaus was contracted by AvalonBay to begin
conceptual design work. The development team and Art Consultant offered feedback and
direction regarding several initial proposals presented by Wowhaus. A final design direction was
selected and developed more fully, with the input of the project's landscape architect.
In making the selection of this artwork, AvalonBay used criteria inclusive of those used in the
City's process. These criteria include: qualifications of the artist; quality of design;
appropriateness to the site; permanence and integrity of materials. The public access and
vehicular and pedestrian visibility of the artwork has also been reviewed and approved, in
concept, by Public Works. Once approved by the City Council, the artwork will undergo formal
review processes and necessary adjustments will be made to address public safety and access.
Attachments 3 and 4 are a description of the artwork called "Oasis" and a rendering of the
proposed artwork.
Community Outreach
In addition to including Staff in the review and critique of the artwork, as specified in the Public
Art Master Plan, AvalonBay also performed outreach to the Dublin community.
Avalon Bay invited the Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission to select one or two of the
Commissioners to review the artwork in advance of the formal review and recommendation by
the full Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission. On February 19, 2013, Wowhaus and Art
Consultant Chandra Cerrito presented the proposed artwork to Commissioners Deets and
Tutino. Cerrito also shared the proposed artwork via email with members of the residential
community immediately surrounding the artwork site. Feedback from the Commissioners and
community has been positive without reservation.
Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission Recommendation
Page 2 of 3
The project was reviewed and enthusiastically recommended by the Heritage and Cultural Arts
Commission at their March 14, 2013 meeting. By a vote of 6 -0, with one Commissioner absent,
the Commission unanimously recommended approval of the proposed public art to the City
Council.
NOTICING REQUIREMENTS /PUBLIC OUTREACH:
A public meeting notice was mailed to the community surrounding the public art site. AvalonBay,
Inc. also shared the proposed artwork via email with the residential community surrounding the
artwork site.
ATTACHMENTS: 1. Project Site Map and Orientation
2. Photo of Project Site
3. "Oasis" Description
4. Artist Rendering of Proposed Artwork
5. Artist Resume
Page 3 of 3
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OASIS
Artwork by Wowhaus for AvalonBay, Dublin, CA 2013
Oasis is inspired by the history of Dublin, which over 200 years ago served as the crossroads of
two major stage routes. Travelers would stop at Alamilla Spring, in the Dublin area to refresh
themselves before continuing their journey. We imagine that travelers, hot and weary from
their journey, would look forward to this respite and the cool, clear waters of the springs,
which were a welcome oasis.
The artwork is a fantastical interpretation of this theme, evoking an imaginary contemporary
oasis that references the region's history. Sited along a prominent median, colorful mosaic
sculptures of fictional flowers are integrated with undulating landforms planted in "iceplant ", a
drought resistant groundcover that is carpeted with vivid red flowers in spring and that turns
bright red in fall. The artwork and landscaping create an integrated artistic whole, transforming
the linear median into a colorful oasis that complements the existing architecture. Rendered in a
warm palate ranging encompassing red, yellow, orange and pink, the mosaic sculptures
harmonize with the warm tones of the buildings nearby.
Ranging in height from I' — 4', the mosaic sculptures are created from thousands of pieces of
hand -cut glass. Set in thinset with grout, the mosaic is applied to sturdy metal forms — the
sculptures are created by forming metal rod into floral forms; these forms are overlaid with
galvanized expanded lathe; the lathe is coated with exterior grade concrete polymer augmented
by polymer and fiberglass chop. Once the concrete cures, the mosaic is applied to the sculptural
forms. The sculptures are secured on site, bolted to concrete footings reinforced with rebar.
The resulting artwork is safe, durable and secure; Wowhaus has created similar artwork using
the same technique for the San Francisco Arts Commission; two mosaic sculptures are sited by
a library adjacent to a playground and school.
ATTACHMENT 1
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"Oasis " - Artist Rendering
• FLUKE, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Exploration Center, Santa Cruz, CA 2012 ($110,000)
A landmark 13' wide cast bronze whale tail or "fluke" sculpture draws attention to the museum, sited by a major road at the entry to the Santa
Cruz Boardwalk, The Sculpture, which anchors a dynamic oceanic public plaza design rendered in glass aggregate and pigmented concrete, invites
interaction from the 1,000's of students visiting this educational museum each year,
• VILLAGE AT MARKET CREEK, National Endowment for the Arts Planning Initiative, San Diego, CA 2012 (Consultancy)
Wowhaus is identifying and designing myriad pubic art installations for a 60 acre development, including large -scale gateway sculptures,
• GEOLOGICA, Walnut Creek, CA 2012 ($40,000) Mosaic water feature reflects geologic strata, featuring a central geode form,
• SPECTRA, West Berkeley Public Library, 2013 ($49,000) Art glass incorporating dichroic glass, cast glass, and hand -cut prisms to be
integrated into public library, evoking the environmental history of the region,
• SPARK, Chabot College, Hayward, CA 2012 ($117,000)
A series of four architecturally integrated 10' x 12' wide large -scale iridescent glass mosaic murals feature dynamic abstract images of a spark,
emblematic of the spark of inspiration and scientific inquiry,
• WISHING WANDS, San Jose Public Art Program, Berryessa Creek Park, San Jose, CA 2009 ($50,000) Interactive sculptures evoke the
ATTACHMENT 2
childhood tradition of making wishes hv blowing on dandelion seed heads. Myriad 3"Austhan[rnstascatch|ightrefracdngsun|ight
in prismatic rainbows children "catch" and play amidst.
° NAPA RIVER ECOLOGY, [OPIA: The American Center for Wine, Food and the Arts, Napa, Q\ 2007
° LOOK CLOSELY, City of Emeryville, Emeryville, CA 2006 /$100,000\ A series of11 naturalistic, functional sculptures are integrated into the
landscape of a 6 block Greenway; photographic imagery etched in granite is integrated into the sculptures,
° CALIFORNIA NATIVE, Creative Work Fund, Peralta Hacienda Historical Park, Oakland, CA, 2006 /$34,000\
Ayehes of 6 naturalistic, functional sculptures integrated into a public native plants garden reflect the interrelationship between local Native
peoples and native plants,
°«CRAFTAND DESIGN: HAND, MIND AND THE CREATIVE PROCESS", Haystack Mountain School of Crafts in partnership with Cooper-Hewitt
National Design Museum, Smithsonian Institution, 2004
° LIFE ON MARKET STREET, (Temporary) San Francisco Arts Commission's Art on Market Street Program, 5F, Q\ 2004
° CALAVERAS MURALS , Stockton Public Art Program, Stockton, [A 2004 ($100,000)
Eight 1O'hx74'1 lenticular ceramic murals "wrap" utility buildings, , transforming them into iconic, interactive sculptural forms in
the landscape. The murals, created with the participation of over 250 schoolchilrden, reflect the local watershed ecosystem.
GRIZEDAUE ARTS, Artist in Residence, "Hindpoo|", Cumbria, England ZOOZ
SELECT PRESS
San Francisco Magazine, p,18 -21 December, 2009
NBC News, May 21, 2009
POV, Metropolis, June, 2008
Public Art Review, November, 2007
AWARDSIGRANTS
Wornick Distinguished Visiting Professor of Woodworking, California College of Arts and Crafts (S.C)
2010
Center for Cultural Innovation Investing In Artists Grant Recipient
2008
City of Oakland Individual Artist's Grant
2006
Design Annual, Communication Arts Magazine: COPIA Kids Garden Design
2005
Creative Work Fund
2004
Award of Excellence, City of Stockton Planning Commission & Cultural Heritage Board
2004
Design Distinction Award: Environments, I.D. Magazine Annual Review
2002
Excellence Award, Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture
2000
Creative Work Fund
2000
First Prize, Design Resource Awards, Seattle, WA (Ecological Design Competition)
1997
Design Excellence, Berkeley Design Advocates, Berkeley, CA (Urban Design Panel)
1995
41114.111 M �
ENE OSTERAAS- CONSTABLE
BFA, Cum Laude, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 1987
SCOTT CONSTABLE
BFA - Sculpture, School of the Art Institute of Chicago 1982 -85
Foundations /Architecture, RISD 1981 -82