Stop and Smell the... Orchids

Yes, normally, that would be roses but in this case take a moment to appreciate the beauty of the County’s seven Orchid nominations for the annual Orchids and Onions contest this year. The awards call out the best and the worst of architecture and design projects in the county and are sponsored by the San Diego Architectural Foundation.

Overall, some 135 projects were nominated in five categories: architecture, landscape architecture, interior design, historic preservation and miscellaneous which can cover public artwork, statuary, exhibits, and this year, even streetlights.  

While most everyone certainly has an opinion, a jury of seven professionals (designers, architects, planners, artists, educators, and one member of the public) will have the final word on which projects deserve to win an Orchid or an Onion.

“[Our awards are] all about civic engagement, all of the entries are publicly nominated,” said Orchids and Onions spokesman Craig Howard. “One award component is whether your project is doing something good for your community.”

Without further ado, here’s the list of the County’s Orchid nominations:

Landscape architecture:

Waterfront Park: The 12-acre park has redefined San Diego’s front porch. Since the grand opening on May 10, an average of 1,200 people a day visit the park. On Memorial Day, the number of visitors grew to 3,500 and on the Fourth of July, about 10,000 people were drawn to the park’s lush lawns, sparkling fountains and the sights and sounds of fireworks over the bay.   

Architecture:

Rancho San Diego Sheriff Station: The 27,000-square-foot station opened in February and serves Rancho San Diego, Spring Valley, La Presa, Jamul, Casa de Oro, Mt. Helix and unincorporated areas in La Mesa and El Cajon. The station was built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) silver standards and features recycled building materials, natural day lighting, energy-efficient mechanical systems, low-water use landscaping and two retention ponds to treat stormwater.   

Pine Valley Sheriff’s Substation:  The 4,500-square-foot substation features a distinctive gable at its entrance and gives Sheriff’s deputies more space to serve a 400-squaremile area in the East County. The building offers natural lighting, water-conserving fixtures and a roof-mounted photovoltaic system to reduce energy use. 

Miscellaneous:

Public Art at the Waterfront Park: Two reproductions of large abstract paintings greet visitors to the Waterfront Park as they emerge from the underground parking garage. Local artists Harold Cohen and Allison Renshaw created the artworks and the originals can be seen inside the County Administration Center.  

Harold Cohen's "Starting Over"Allison Renshaw's "Last Call"

Public Art at the County Registrar of Voters: Two giant ceramic heads flank the entrance to the new Registrar of Voters building in Kearny Mesa. Renowned artist Jun Kaneko created the sculptures over the course of a year. They measure six-feet-high and four-and-a-half feet in diameter and act as conversation pieces to voters and other visitors to the County Operations Center campus.  

Artifact Display Project at County Registrar of Voters: Four displays by artist Jay Johnson offer visitors a glimpse into the past with County government memorabilia that dates back to the 1850s. The observation gallery draws visitors in with an expansive look at the evolution of the voting process.

Ramona Library Doors: The main entrance to the Ramona Library features stained glass panels surrounding the doors. Local artist James Hubbell created the brightly colored panels. The artwork is titled “Laurel Passage.” 

Typically, the top five Orchid and Onion nominations with the most online chatter qualify for the “People’s Choice” award. The public can vote for their favorites starting Thursday, Aug. 28 and ending Sept. 18.

The Fallbrook Library won the People’s Choice award in 2011. The County Operations Center won the 2012 People’s Choice award.  

The 2014 Orchids and Onions winners will be announced Oct. 2 during an awards ceremony at the San Diego Air & Space Museum.