North Beach Park

Santa Monica, USA

Parks + Open Spaces

Architects: Tighe Architecture

Year: 2018

North Beach is a new universally accessible, sea-side park for the city of Santa Monica. The site is an acre parcel at the base of the bluff, directly on the Santa Monica State Beach.

Natural landforms create an undulating landscape reminiscent of sand dunes. The elevated earthwork is both educational and fun. It contains areas designated for younger children (2-5), older children (6-12), and for adults.

A unique experience will be achieved through materiality and form. The undulating landforms provide an elevated path that protects the two distinct play zones. A series of shade structures are strategically situated within the park to provide shelter, shade, and shadow. The steel framed canopies are designed with minimal impact on the landscape as prescribed by the California Coastal Commission. The lightweight structures offer optimal transparency while providing the necessary protection from the sun. The follies frame the extraordinary views of the surrounding mountains and the Pacific Ocean.