Hana Gardens Japanese Heritage Garden and Interpretive Plaza — Hana Gardens
The interpretive Japanese Heritage Garden and public plaza at Hana Gardens, an affordable senior housing community in El Cerrito, California built on the site of the former Mabuchi Flower Shop, opened with the building's May 2019 grand opening; West Office Exhibition Design designed the interpretive elements, Van Meter Williams Pollack was architect of record for the building/site rehabilitation, and CREO Industrial Arts fabricated and installed the exhibits.
| Venue | Hana Gardens |
|---|---|
| Project type | Installation |
| Status | Completed |
| Year completed | 2019 |
Credits
| Firm | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|
| van-meter-williams-pollack | Architecture | |
| West Office | Exhibit Design | |
| West Office | Interpretive Planning | |
| CREO Industrial Arts | Fabrication | Weatherproof, vandal-resistant exhibit fabrication and installation |
Description
Interpretive panels set in symbolic flower trays, timeline pavers, and monument panels document the site's history as a Japanese American-owned floriculture business, the forced internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, and the later rebirth of the community; developed with the Japanese American Citizens League and the El Cerrito Historical Society. The project received a California Governor's Historic Preservation Award.