Architecture View Bob Barzan
Artistic Bike Racks Bring a Touch of Beauty to the Design District
Watch for more design changes in the coming months on the streets of the Modesto Design District and the Graffiti Cruise Route. The Downtown Design Group has selected three artistic bike rack designs for the area and they are being fabricated now. Though sites are not yet been selected, installation is set for early September in time for the architecture festival especially Park(ing) Day, September 19.
Two of the designs come from Modesto companies. Phil Murillo and Mario Mendoza of Pride Signs entered a design that combines three features; leaves and branches modeled from the Modesto Ash tree, the iconic Modesto Arch, and a bicycle. “Our approach was to create natural, organic bends with the branches and leaves, as well as prominently incorporating both architectural and mechanical elements.”
The design of Pires, Lipomi, Navarro Architects is titled The Corkscrew for obvious reasons. “Our region has a rich history of winemaking and Modesto is widely known for being home to the largest winery in the world. The Corkscrew provides a fun, whimsical and creative solution for a bike rack.”
From Los Angeles, Rob Berry, from the firm of Berry and Linné, entered the fun and functional Pop Rack. “The playful, drawing-like optical game of this two-dimensional fabrication will further enliven the visual character of the streetscape in the Modesto Design District.”
The three selections come from a field of 10 entries from all over California, several from Modesto. Funds for the project are provided by Artplace America through a grant to the Modesto Art Museum. The museum is working with the city to develop an art policy that will open the door to future projects and guide the city in the selection and installation of city-owned public art. This project is a test case for the policy. The entire project is part of the museum’s Building a Better Modesto program, using public art, architecture, landscape, and urban design projects to improve the quality of life in our city.
One additional piece of experimental public art was recently completed. Thanks to Never Boring Design and Jordi Camps, the utility box at the corner of 10th and J has been covered with four wraps each depicting a painting by Jordi. Go by and have a look.
