Cultural Environments Design Focus Studio
Term: Spring 2019, 3rd year
Site: Preisker Park
Location: Santa Maria, CA

”The key to a happy life isn’t to juggle everything, it’s to enjoy juggling.”
- Stephen Guise

People think happiness comes from a balanced life. But in fact, happiness comes from embracing the imbalance. The ying yang symbol was used as inspiration for creating spaces. By taking the symbol of balance, irregular shapes were formed to mimic the imbalance lifestyle that occurs in everyday life. Using design tips from feng shui landscaping, program elements were located strategically along the cardinal points.

The design intent of the restorative landscape provides a place for families of Santa Maria to heal, explore, and mourn the losses to gang violence.