Linking Sacramento Capitol Mall

The overall design philosophy is simple and to the point. “Activate and revitalize the Sacramento Capitol Mall so that it becomes a fl uid thoroughfare for those citizens who work in the vicinity and come to visit this bustling surrounding area of Sacramento; while simultaneously creating a destination point for tourists from around the world, to come and experience all that the Capitol of California has to off er.”

Activation – The diagonal transecting paths that cross the mall along the 6 block corridor, serve as natural connections between existing points of interest such as businesses and restaurants, while at the same time, creating new linked points of interest proposed by the new site design. Repeated elements along the length of the axial central path serve to reinforce the unity of the Mall Corridor. Rows of canopy trees, palm trees, light fi xtures, and banners serve as repeated design elements along the mall. This design seeks to connect existing and future places of interest along the Sacramento Mall, thus strengthening and unifying the surrounding community.

Gatherings & Events – The vacant lot at the Northwest corner of the Mall will be utilized to create an Event Plaza with an outdoor auditorium for performances, concerts, open markets, and other large gatherings such as political rallies.

Linkages & Walk-ability – The design seeks to achieve a sense of natural movement across and through the mall corridor. The interlocking diagonal paths not only serve to enhance the commerce and business of the Capitol Mall Corridor, but serve as a unifying system of connections and linkages that solidify and tie together the proposed corridor design. The design is further unifi ed by a single axial pathway running the full 6 block length of the Mall, thus creating a primary thoroughfare for pedestrian traffi c along the mall.

Tall Grass

Grasscrete

CompositeDecking

HarringboneBricks

Slate/Tan Brick

Travertine Slate

Catalyst Site(s) – The spaces that are created by the intersecting pathways serve as versatile public spaces along the central axial path. These public spaces include open green space, paved urban plaza, shaded public market space, and additional on street parking for adjacent restaurants and businesses. These spaces seek to create intimate enjoyable outdoor space and enhance the experience of pedestrian traffi c walking along the mall’s central path. These spaces along the mall are meant to serve as their own destination points along the path where pedestrians can stop and relax. They can also be utilized for various outdoor recreational activities.

Urban Canopy – Rows of palm trees along the central axial path and additional canopy trees along the length of the mall serve to strengthen the city’s urban canopy and create shaded semi-sheltered spaces.

View Corridor – Repeated elements along the length of the central path including a row of palm trees on either side of the path strengthen the view corridor down the mall towards the California State Capitol Building to the east and the Tower Bridge to the west.

Linkages & Walk-ability – The design seeks to achieve a sense of natural movement across and through the mall corridor. The interlocking diagonal paths not only serve to enhance the commerce and business of the Capitol Mall Corridor, but serve as a unifying system of connections and linkages that solidify and tie together the proposed corridor design. The design is further unifi ed by a single axial pathway running the full 6 block length of the Mall, thus creating a primary thoroughfare for pedestrian traffi c along the mall.

Sustainability – This design accommodates for minimal energy usage throughout the proposed Capitol Mall. All of the light fi xtures that are implemented in the design are solar-powered as well as natural water retention ponds and the implementation of rain-gardens and bio-swales to reduce runoff throughout the site. The employment of solar/electrical powered public trollies provides a sustainable alternative to vehicular traffi c and emissions along the mall.

Implementation – This design for the Sacramento Capitol Mall would be very easily implemented in that all of the materials specifi ed in the design are locally manufactured materials which can easily be brought to the site and utilized with minimal energy expended. The species of trees and vegetation being utilized are also local to the area including California Fan Palm and Box Elder, in order to reduce energy consumption and not to impede the natural ecosystem of the area.

California Fan Palm

Sensation Box Elder

Wayne’s Silver

Pipe Vine

Evergreen Huckleberry

Red-Flowering Currant

Points of Interest

Connections

Residual Green Space

Connection Points

g pg pCapitol Mall Design Competition:

Circulation Paths

Canopy View

Transverse Section

A

A B

B

NIght Canopy View Looking Towards Bridge

Central Mall View