Water is sacred to the Tongva people, symbolizing connection and sustenance. This design reflects water’s significance through pathways and natural elements that honor the Los Angeles River and Sleepy Lagoon, fostering a renewed community bond with water.
2
Approach
Space for Cultural Exchange
Inspired by traditional Tongva shade structures, the central gathering area supports storytelling, cultural sharing, and connection. Accessible paths, shaded seating, and storytelling signs create a welcoming space for cross-cultural interaction and learning.
TBD
number of community engagements
3
Impact
Indigenous Ecology & Sustainability
Native plant gardens celebrate biodiversity and community wellness. By minimizing concrete and avoiding pesticides, the park’s ecology respects Indigenous practices and fosters a sustainable environment that honors both human and ecological health.
Awards
Honorary Fellow
The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada is proud to announce that Wanda Dalla Costa, a prominent Indigenous voice and practitioner in North American architecture, has been awarded honorary fellowship for 2022.
Wanda Dalla Costa is a member of the Saddle Lake Cree Nation and was the first First Nation woman to become an architect in Canada. Her firm, Tawaw Architecture Collective, is based in Phoenix, Arizona. She is the director and founder of Arizona State University’s Indigenous Design Collaborative, a community-driven design and construction program that brings together tribal community members, industry and multidisciplinary teams of university students and faculty to co-design and co-develop solutions for tribal communities.
Dalla Costa is a prominent Indigenous female voice within the architectural profession–specifically within the academic sphere in North America.
Awards
YBCA's 100 Honorees: Wanda Dalla Costa
Indigenous Design Collaborative's founder and design director Wanda Dalla Costa was recognized as YBCA 100 list of change makers and cultural activists working at the intersection of art, social change and civic life.
Awards
Trailblazer Award: Wanda Dalla Costa
Presented this year as part of NZ20, the world's largest net zero conference and expo, the Trailblazer Awards celebrate leaders who are building a net zero future through their work in the carbon, energy, water, waste, transit and/or policy sectors.
