HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDA REPORT 2024 1119 AC REG ITEM 07AItem: 7.A.
CITY OF MOORPARK
MOORPARK ARTS COMMISSION
AGENDA REPORT
TO: Moorpark Arts Commission
FROM: Chris Ball, Senior Management Analyst
DATE: 11/19/2024 Regular Meeting
SUBJECT: Consider Artwork Theme for New City Library Children’s Area and Art
Firm for Artwork Design and Fabrication
BACKGROUND
Construction of a new City Library has been one of the City Council’s top priorities for
nearly twenty years. The project stalled for various reasons until 2016 when the City
Council adopted a new Strategic Objective in an effort to move the Library forward:
Develop conceptual design proposal for New City Hall and Library including a Civic
Center master plan, with Library as initial construction phase .
Since that time, the City Council has approved the Civic Center Master Plan, confirm ing
the location for the new Library near the corner of High Street and Moorpark Avenue, as
well as an “agrarian inspired” architectural style reflective of Moorpark’s agricultural
history. The Design Development Plans have been completed and a Program
Environmental Impact Report (EIR) certified, establishing the regulatory framework
necessary for the construction of the Library. Construction plans and specifications are
currently under development, and the project is anticipated to go out to bid for construction
early next year.
DISCUSSION
The new 17,500 square-foot library building will contain dedicated areas for adult, teen
and children’s services, as well as study rooms, multi-purpose spaces, and areas for
Library staff and the Friends of the Library. The children’s area will include zones for
children’s collections and seating, quiet study areas, and an early childhood area.
Numerous windows will provide ample natural lighting and opportunities for small reading
nooks. The early childhood area will offer seating for smaller children as well as oversized
parent/child seating and open space for story time and activities.
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As part of the design process, the Library design team conducted an outreach campaign
to obtain community input on various aspects of the Library design. Through that process
a natural theme was identified for the children’s area with elements that are reflective of
Moorpark’s agricultural history to echo the agrarian-inspired architectural style. This
theme has been further refined to focus on elements and imagery associated with the
apricot tree. Staff feels that the apricot tree (and related imagery) provides an ideal theme
for the children’s area that incorporates both the natural theme identified during
community outreach and an important aspect of the city’s agricultural heritage, as apricots
were one of the region’s primary crops during the city’s early days, and the city’s name
originated from the “Moorpark” variety of apricot.
Within the children’s area, the story time area has been identified as a primary location
for the installation of a large-scale decorative feature to enhance the space and add an
element of wonder and whimsy. It is envisioned that this will be achieved through the
installation of a towering apricot tree at the northeast corner of the space, under which
children can sit and listen to stories, participate in organized activities, and enjoy self -
directed play. This space could be embellished further with artistic graphics on the walls
and thematic seating elements around the tree. Several support posts in the children’s
area could also be decorated with thematic elements, with the overarching goal of
creating a welcoming space that will delight children of all ages as well as their parents.
Attachment 1 offers an illustration of the Library conceptual floor plan with the location of
the story time area identified in the children’s services area. A sample theming concept
for the children’s area is provided in Attachment 2.
It is important to note that the illustrations in Attachment 2 were selected for theming
purposes and do not represent the proposed artwork for this location. To create a unique
and engaging experience in the children’s area, staff desires to contract with a qualified
art studio to design and fabricate the elements that will populate this space based on the
apricot tree theme. It is critical that the firm not only provide high-quality artistic design
and fabrication services, but also work collaboratively with staff and the project
consultants and contractors to ensure that all thematic elements are compatible with the
library design and ensure that fabrication and delivery are closely coordinated with the
library construction. The selected studio must also have experience creating artistic
elements that are durable and appropriate for a high -traffic public area of this type. For
this reason, rather than go through the typical request for qualifications process, staff
elected to directly seek out a qualified studio with the demonstrated capabilities necessary
to successfully complete this project.
After an expansive search staff identified Studio Y Creations Inc. (Studio Y Creations) as
their preferred provider for these services. Studio Y Creations is a design and fabrication
studio that specializes in designing, fabricating, and installing family-friendly themed
environments. The firm is based in Canada and their portfolio includes over 1,500
projects in eleven countries for a wide range of organizations including libraries, zoos,
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malls, museums, offices, theme parks and more. The firm’s fabrication capabilities
include working with foam, clay, urethane, wood and metal. They offer a collaborative
design process to ensure that projects are customized specifically to the needs of their
clients. Furthermore, Studio Y Creations has demonstrated experience creating
engaging nature-themed environments that incorporate large-scale, durable, and kid-
friendly tree elements similar to the tree envisioned for this project.
Direct feedback received from Studio Y Creations clients confirmed their collaborative
approach to design and indicated that their creations are extremely durable, even in high -
contact family-oriented environments like libraries. Clients also indicated that they felt
that the company’s products were an excellent value. A small sampling of Studio Y
Creations’ projects is included in Attachment A, and additional information about the
company is available at www.studioycreations.com.
The Arts Commission is now asked to consider both the apricot tree theme for the
children’s area and staff’s recommendation to engage Studio Y Creations to provide
artwork design and fabrication services for the thematic elements. Staff, in conjunction
with the library architect, would then work with Studio Y Creations on the creation of
conceptual designs for the desired thematic elements. These would then be brought to
the Arts Commission for review and recommendation to the City Council for approval.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
1.Affirm the apricot tree theme for the children’s area of the new City Library; and
2.Recommend Studio Y Creations Inc. for artwork design and fabrication services for
the Library children’s area.
Attachments:
1 – Library Conceptual Floor Plan
2 – Children’s Area Theming Sample
3 – Studio Y Creations Sample Projects
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Attachment 1
Library Conceptual Floor Plan
Children’s story time area.
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Attachment 2
Children’s Area Theming Sample
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Attachment 3
Studio Y Creations Sample Projects
Themed Library Areas:
Woodland Themed Children’s Area – West Pasco Public Library, WA
Prehistoric Themed Library Children’s Area – Connell Public Library, WA
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Attachment 3
Studio Y Creations Sample Projects
Themed Offices:
Delaware Pediatric Dentistry, Lewis Center, OH Alligator Pediatric Dentistry, Ammon, ID
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Attachment 3
Studio Y Creations Sample Projects
Public Art:
Leonardo da Vinci Horse Head Sculpture Fishermen Sculpture
Chicago Museum of Science and Industry Crossiron Mills Mall, Alberta, Canada
Attractions:
Hollywood Wax Museum Façade Miniature Golf Course
Branson, MO Essex County Turtle Back Zoo, NJ
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