Design Competition Finalists

About the Citizen Architect Design Competition

Our region's new Entertainment and Sports Complex (ESC) will be possible only because of the people of the Sacramento region. To honor this contribution, Think BIG Sacramento is working to ensure that a component of the new complex reflect's the public's role. In that spirit, Think BIG announced a new competition to design a public space that will be created by you and for you. The three competition finalists, as chosen by Think BIG, mixed martial artist Urijah Faber and artist David Garibaldi are below. Judging was based on a criteria that measured Feasibility and Viability, Design and Creativity, Regional Pride and Sustainability.

Goals

The design competition aspires to facilitate development of a public space at the ESC, create an iconic symbol of the Sacramento region, and build on the grassroots energy that helped keep the Kings organization in Sacramento.

Vote now

The people have a chance to shape the history of the region by voting for their favorite design. The summaries are listed below.

Finalist A: "Outdoor Amphitheater" by Shaun Baland

This small outdoor amphitheater area would be a simple concrete/brick semi-circle stage with elevated grass and concrete steps/seating. The top of the seating would open up to a small concrete and brick concourse for seating, gathering and vendor space. For sporting events, concerts and other events, the amphitheater is a prime location for remote radio broadcasts, small concerts/plays, comedy shows or any performance that is suitable for smaller crowds. Having some vendor space in the area offers guests an opportunity to purchase souveniers, food and merchandise. I feel this type of space would perfectly complement the large-scale arena and offer a relaxed, intimate gathering space. When the arena is not in use, the area provides a clean, simple, eco-friendly space that is ideal for downtown lunches and gatherings.

I'd like to address each of the judging criteria:

Feasibility and Viability: In light of the obstacles facing funding issues, I decided a financially responsible and conservative entry would make the most sense. This plan requires very simple and minor excavation and grading, with basic electrical and landscaping make up the design so costs and design/location/configuration will be manageable.

Design and Creativity: I challenged myself to submit a plan that is both basic and creative. I feel a simple space allows the city/arena to recreate the space with every event. This space allows pre-event and post-event gathering space that can be marketed with every event. I have offered a sample design that in itself is creative and offers a clean backdrop for any type of show.

Regional Pride: My inspiration for this area is Cesar Chavez Park, which has successfully drawn the public to many free entertainment events each year. People likely won't go out of their way to visit a fountain or statue, but free events will draw people to the arena even if it's empty for the evening.

Sustainability: This design is primarily concrete, brick, grass and landscaping/trees. Eco-friendly options for all components of the plan are possible. The concept allows for drought-tolerant plantings, solar-powered lighting and minimal upkeep. Sustainability is a key advantage in this submission.

In addition to the judged criteria, I'd like to offer an additional one: profitability through the selling of bricks, inclusion of vendors and the leasing of the space, which can all help offset construction costs.

Finalist B: "Walk of Fame" by Troy Bedal

My design, in order to create an iconic symbol from the grassroots energy that helped keep the Kings organization in Sacramento for our Region’s new Entertainment and Sports Complex, would be to simply create a direct path or area of commemorative-personalized bricks of cement in the ground from the main entrance of the ESC to the edge of the street or to where all of us will lead it to. These bricks will be considered eco-friendly. They will be inscribed with each Member and Executive’s names with their local grass root campaign they were involved with such as: ‘HereWeStay, HereWeBuild, SacTown Royalty, and most of all the Citizen Architects of ‘Think Big Sacramento. Then, members of the Mayor’s office and their executive team involved, all the regional sponsorship company’s and their executives involved, to local recent and past Sacramento Icon Sports and Entertainment Legends/Figures such as:(Mayor Johnson, Maloofs, Chris Webber, Doug Christie, Uriah Faber, Carmichael Dave, David Garibaldi, Slamson, Tesla, The Deftones, etc.) These commemorative bricks would initially be designed for the above members and than opening up the remaining space available to all the public and regional die-hard Sacramentans that have a strong civic pride as we all do to be a part of permanent history.

These bricks could be of any flat surfaced shape that would mold together evenly as a separate stained color. This design could possibly be put up in the future as a minor fee that could go towards other construction costs for the ESC (parking) to help make this a dream come true for Sacramento and our Region. In return. each member would receive a replica of their personalized commemorative brick to display in their household or place of business. This idea has shown to be pricelessly rewarding and financially successful at other venues such as the Giants’ Pac Bell/AT&T Park and Disneyland.

This will be very rewarding to all YOU grass root campaign members and executives, the Mayor’s office staff, local Sacramento Icon/Legends and Sacramentans that would more than appreciate this personal symbol of reflection on YOUR passionate hard work and dedication through all these tough times our backs were against the walls but stayed loyal and kept faith. Please help join me in making this design come to life as ‘Your’ very own Sacramento Walk of Fame!