Located near residential developments (including apartments across Clairmont Road), the Century City Office Park sought to "suburbanize" itself through design innovations. The offices located closest to Clairmont Road and residential areas are small offices (such as chiropractors, dentists, andpublic relations firms) disguised as residential condos. We have already seen the "Georgian" style office park, with offices built to resemble residential units. However, in thiscase, the units appear to be offices disguised as loft condos.
Another design feature is the placing of the lake at the center, with the offices facing the lake and wrapping around it. Parking is then wrapped around the outside of the offices. Footpaths wrap around the inside of the offices. From the outside, there is little hint that there might be a leisurely setting (the lake is not clearly visible, hidden behind a tree curtain).
The lake itself features green frog ornamentation and a central fountain. The lake supports aquatic bird species including swans, geese, and ducks, and uses well water. However, this is clearly a parklike setting, not a wilderness. Concrete steps lead down to the water at the center, and tables are placed to allow humans to sit and enjoy a meal. The birds themselves swim up, expecting to be fed--no "do not feed the birds" sign is evident (a sign does warn to "not pick the roses," however).
Such a design setting harkens back to the early, picturesque suburbs. The type of office and the clientele certainly reflect a planned exclusivity, although the area is now decidedly middle-class.
More fantastic photos, Robert, and good description of what we're seeing. It's interesting to note how the office park has evolved from early days as a lone building in an open landscape to more of a mixed-form, medium-density campus, with a range of building types for different uses. I assume, for example, the row houses are rented as small professional suites (doctors' offices etc.)?
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