City Council Chambers Renovations
Palo Alto, California
Project Features
- Renovation and Alteration to Historically Significant Structure
- Architectural Features designed to enhance public participation in government
- Addition of TV / Radio Broadcast Facilities
The Council Chamber represents not only a significant architecture, but a significant public function, particularly in Palo Alto, where public involvement in government is strong.
The chamber project was a high profile project including multiple stakeholder groups and a high level of public interest.
The architecture itself was significant, though not beloved by all citizens. Edward Durell Stone had designed the original City Hall with an eye toward discouraging participation (the sixties…). The modernist site plan was hard to navigate and monumental in scale.
The chamber, however, was a delightfully open and friendly room that deserved preservation and respect.
Our work sought to maintain the integrity of all historic components, while adding significant components that harmonized seamlessly with the old.
Project Components
- Interactive presentation facility to allow full digital capabilities for public and staff (not constructed)
- Open podium / staff areas to deconstruct boundaries to public participation
- Extension of critical architectural language to maintain integrity of original architecture
- Renovation significant components consistent with original design intentions.
