PROJECT DESCRIPTION

First built in 1977, Pellier Park in the heart of downtown San José underwent a redesign from the roots up. Where orchards once covered the park and its surrounds, Volume collaborated with SWA (who led the entire park redesign) to create a 115-foot-long history wall that tells the history of Louis Pellier, known as “The Prune King,” who introduced the French Prune to the Santa Clara Valley in 1856. The design system also includes ground markers delineating Pellier’s home's original location on park grounds and interpretive panels for the park's historic plum trees.

The wall’s physical form echoes the “crease” in a plum’s body and the rolling hills of the surrounding valley landscape. The wall’s narrative tells the story of Pellier’s impact on the fruit canning industry, the Santa Clara Valley’s agricultural history, and the original park’s construction. Inspired by the rich hues of the plum fruit, purple is the primary color used on the storytelling wall and surrounding signage. The stencil lettering of fruit crates inspired the basis for the headline typography.

This public park is a huge hit with residents and teaches them a little about the site-specific history, to boot!

PROJECT INFORMATION

Entry Type: Single Entry

Channel: Cross-Media

Primary Role of the Designer: Unknown (NA) / Other (if other, please explain)

Client Relationship: Unknown (NA) / Other (if other, please explain) NA

Intention of the Project: Introduction of a new product, service, or program

Development Budget: Confidential / Not available

Production/Execution Budget: Confidential / Not Available

Source of Funding: Funded internally

Typefaces:

Paper:

Materials: Concrete, Porcelain Enamel, Aluminum

CREDIT INFORMATION

Creative Director: Adam Brodsley, Eric Heiman

Art Director:

Designers: Jon Hioki, Yuya Yoshida, Allier Ho, Elizabeth See

Researchers: Norie Sato, Daniel Affleck

Developers:

Copywriter:

Illustrator:

Photographer:

Printer:

Producer:

Other Credits: Volume Inc. - Design Firm; SWA - Project Lead / Landscape Architect; Daniel Affleck - Landscape Architect Lead

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