Client: City of Lafayette
Location: Lafayette, CA, United States
Completion date: 2020
Project Team
Artist
Kana Tanaka
Kana Tanaka Art, Inc.
Metal fabrication
Tony Orantes
UrbanLab Design, Inc.
Project manager
Brian Long
Lafayette Library
Overview
Lafayette Library and Learning Center, Lafayette CA
Originally, 109 Chemical Symbols from the Periodic Table of the Elements were created for the Children’s Activity Deck in 2009. Now, updated with the addition of 10 new elements and moved to the two new locations: West Deck and under the skylight of children’s section. The organic pattern of the stainless steel armature that supports the elements is inspired by the shape of local creeks that run through the city of Lafayette.
Part 1: New Location 1. Skylight at Children’s Area: 2’ x 19’ x 9’
New Location 2. West Deck: 2’ x 36’ x 17’
Laminated dichroic glass and stainless steel
Part 2: 16 portholes along the south deck wall
Glass and plexiglas in steel tubing
9” in diameter, 10” in depth (each)
Goals
In the original design, the deck area was made for pre-school children, all the art elements are designed to be accessible for their eye-level. Reflections and colored shadow patterns from the glass art pieces are visible on the deck floor and walls.
Process
Engineering was needed to accept 16 portholes on the deck wall (concrete inside). The application of waterproof membrane on deck wall inside the wooden surface was challenging.