Los Angeles Harbor Area Public Access & Urban Waterfront Plan

San Pedro/ Wilmington, CA

The California State Coastal Conservancy's Los Angeles Harbor Area Public Access & Urban Waterfront Plan will help to complete the California Coastal Trail, by closing the gap in the L.A. Harbor Area.

Duvivier Architects was selected by the California State Coastal Conservancy to prepare the Los Angeles Harbor Area Public Access & Urban Waterfront Plan.This plan furthers the efforts of the Los Angeles Harbor Area - California Coastal Trail Access Analysis, by developing specific recommendations for Coastal Gateways. These community "gateways" connect inland communities to waterfront and shoreline areas and to future and proposed Restoration Projects in order to encourage the conservation, restoration and enhancement of coastal natural resources and watersheds. This plan also includes concept and design plans for several Early Implementation Projects such as:

- The East Wilmington Greenbelt, adjacent to the Wilmington waterfront.

- The San Pedro Waterfront Gateway Park, linking the Cruise Ship Terminal via the newly completed first phase of the Waterfront Promenade to Knoll Hill and the 110 Freeway corridor, west to Gaffey Street.

- Beacon Street Bluffs and San Pedro Plaza Park, extending along the central San Pedro waterfront.

- The Point Fermin Coast, extending from Sunken City/Pacific Avenue to White Point/Shoreline Park, along Paseo Del Mar.

Development of this plan has been closely coordinated with the current San Pedro and Wilmington waterfront projects being managed by the Harbor Department of the City of Los Angeles and with the Harbor/Watts Economic Development Corporation. Design and site plans were prepared by Duvivier Architects, Marc Beyeler of the SCC, CMG, Mia Lehrer + Associates and SMWM.

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The East Wilmington Greenbelt

The San Pedro Waterfront Gateway Park

Beacon Street Bluffs and San Pedro Plaza Park

The Point Fermin Coast

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Ballona Wetlands Interim Stewardship and Access Management Plan

Marina del Rey, CA

The State of California acquired the Ballona Wetlands in 2003 and 2004 because it is one of the most significant wetland resources in Southern California. Following its acquisition, the State Coastal Conservancy (SCC), in collaboration with the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG), State Lands Commission (SLC), other agencies and various community and conservation organizations, began the wetland restoration planning process.

Duvivier Architects was hired by the State Coastal Conservancy (SCC) to create the Interim Stewardship and Access Management Plan, which is the first visible step in a series of planning efforts to protect the Ballona Wetlands. This working plan is intended to serve as a guide to manage short-term access and restoration and educational opportunities for three plus years, through the completion of the Wetland Restoration Plan.

The goals of the plan are to:
- Create a handbook and a working plan for short-term stewardship and access over the next 3+ years.
- Provide public access and recreational opportunities compatible with habitat, fish and wildlife conservation.
- Encourage public appreciation of Ballona Wetlands.
- Develop a functional equivalent of a DFG Land Management Plan for the near-term until the final plan is adopted.
- Complement and advance existing activities being undertaken within Ballona Wetlands.
- Redirect non-complementary uses and activities from the Ballona Wetlands.
- Develop signage as needed, in a form and scale appropriate to the setting to enhance visitor education.
- Facilitate trash management.

The guiding principles of Interim Stewardship and Access Management are to:
- Build on what is working now: the ability of projects and programs to build on already successful efforts.
- Enhance partnering and improve working relationships: build on the existing strengths of community non-profits and encourage joint problem solving and public-private partnerships.
- Encourage operational simplicity: undertake programs and projects that facilitate monitoring and management without complex arrangements.
- Provide linkages to other ongoing or emerging efforts being undertaken in the watershed: encourage communication between agencies and organizations working in the Ballona Watershed.
- Don’t compromise future restoration efforts: work smart, focus interim stewardship efforts on projects that will be consistent with and supportive of the long term restoration plan.
- Leverage projects for their educational and interpretive aspects: provide teaching tools and articulate lessons learned with each undertaking within the wetlands.
- Offer an appropriate level of managed community access: provide a balance of resource protection, public safety and passive recreation.

slide show
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download document (7.0MB)

Crystal Cove Historic District Restoration

Crystal Cove, CA

California State Coastal Conservancy
2001


One of the few remaining undeveloped beach and riparian habitats left in Orange county, Crystal Cove is degraded and fragile. Any development will have a substantial impact on the Cove's future. As pressure from interested parties heighten, it is critical that the preservation and restoration of the Cove be paramount during plans for any future development.

The State Parks Department is currently in the planning stages for the development and restoration of this area. It is the goal of the Department of Parks & Recreation "to provide for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state's extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation".

Duvivier Architects was consulted to review the Park Services plan and prepare recommendations based on the comments of the stakeholders. The recommendations covered on-site ecology, historic architecture restoration and planning processes.

It was found that the creek/ocean ecology, sand replenishment and coastal scrub restoration will not survive if overshadowed by issues of parking, use or occupancy. Due to the special circumstances and the fragile nature of the site, Crystal Cove must be a model for using new technology, educational innovations and stewardship of the built and the natural environment.

Alcima Project Restoration

Pacific Palisades, CA

current

Rethinking Suburbia: Suburban Revitalization and Design Guidelines

Benecia - Southhampton, CA 1994

While some suburbs are prospering, many others are facing problems such as excess traffic, smog, decentralization and lack of open space. Professionals from many fields have defined and implemented potential solutions for future developments, but not many address the existing suburbs. Duvivier Architects analyzed how an existing suburb, over time, could be modified with the help of the community driven by some basic, yet innovative, planning changes.

This project includes all facets of a neighborhood revitalization plan. Southhampton, a low-density, suburban community, established their goal to become more economically and environmentally sustainable. As a step toward that goal, the proposal introduced a new mixed-use commercial core, employment opportunities, and mixed-density housing. The plan also proposed streetscape improvements, infrastructure changes, transportation recommendations, and design and landscape guidelines. The final report was presented to the community in 1994.

With a minimum amount of rezoning, an existing monotonous section of Southhampton could become a mixed-use core that is easily adaptable to the changing needs of the community.

Proposed design guidelines for Southhampton include:
- Zero lot lines.
- Altered zoning in certain areas to encourage density in the central core.
- Common, mid-block walkway in exchange for decreased front yard set back.
- Pedestrian and bicycle connections along superblocks.
- Facilitation of remodeling to encourage ongoing community involvement.

Impact of changes on the community include:
- Less commuter miles traveled.
- Encouragement of residents to add to and personalize their units.
- Higher community employment.