COSTA MESA, CA
Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Orange County is a regional arts center with four world-class performance venues for dance, music, and theater. An expansive, yet underutilized public plaza lies at the center of the existing 14-acre campus. Michael Maltzan Architecture was invited to create a new vision for the Center's public spaces that is both programmatically flexible and architecturally inviting.
The design of the new Argyros Plaza is anchored by a large open public space and a multi-purpose community stage, balanced by three intimate green spaces: a Plaza Entry Grove, an Amphitheater Grove, and a Community Picnic Grove. Each grove offers shaded seating and meandering pedestrian paths. A visually striking grand staircase connects Segerstrom Hall to the plaza level below. The circular geometry of the stair complements the Center's signature architecture and creates an equally distinctive element that enhances pedestrian connections across the complex. Upon exiting the theater, a new observation terrace at the mezzanine level encircles an open air seating lounge. At the base of the stair, a café with relaxed outdoor seating at the ground level provides food and refreshments. The plaza will also integrate technological amenities including free Wi-Fi and enhanced performance lighting and sound, whereby visitors can enjoy a vast range of free programming and events more than thirty weekends a year.
The Argyros Plaza is only one of multiple initiatives that will complement and enhance Segerstrom Center for the Arts’ commitment to providing world-class performances in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, Segerstrom Hall, Samueli Theater, and the Judy Morr Theater. The new Center for Dance and Innovation (CDI), also designed by MMA, includes an entryway that will be accessible by a public garden-like arrival area and a second, curved ramp from the Segerstrom Hall terrace.
Construction will begin on the Julianne and George Argyros Plaza and the Center for Dance and Innovation in early 2016, and is expected to be completed in the fall of the same year.
