“A public art shade structure that provides functional shade, acts as a visual landmark near the water tower, and plays with light and shadow”
About the Opportunity
The City of South Salt Lake and South Salt Lake Arts are requesting qualifications from artists or artist-led design teams to design and fabricate a permanent, large-scale artistic shade structure. This signature piece will serve as the functional and aesthetic anchor for the lawn portion of the Water Tower Plaza.
Location: Water Tower Plaza, 195 West Oakland Ave, South Salt Lake, UT 84115.
Target Area: Approximately 1,025 SF of lawn space.
Community Context: This is a highly visible public space designed for multi-generational use. The installation must be safe, durable, welcoming, and provide shade.
Commission Budget Up to: $90,000
Project Goals & Vision
We are looking for an art piece that transcends traditional shade structures. The ideal installation will:
- Provide Functional Shade: Offer relief from the sun for the 1,025 SF lawn area, making the space usable during hot Utah summers.
- Act as a Landmark: Create a visual "destination" that complements the iconic water tower while establishing its own identity.
- Incorporate Light & Shadow: We encourage designs that play with shadow patterns on the lawn during the day and integrated lighting for evening ambiance.
- Ensure Durability: Withstanding Utah's seasonal weather (wind, snow load, and UV exposure) with minimal long-term maintenance.
Project Scope
The selected Artist or Artist Team will be responsible for the end-to-end delivery of the artistic shade structure. This project requires a high degree of collaboration with City stakeholders and the architectural design team to ensure the artwork is seamlessly integrated into the Water Tower Plaza's infrastructure.
1. Research
Site Analysis: Review existing site plans, structural drawings, and the architectural vision for the plaza to ensure the structure complements the surrounding environment.
2. Design & Development
Concept Integration: Collaborate closely with City staff and the project's architectural team to ensure the design aligns with the plaza's overall aesthetic and functional flow.
Schematic Design: Provide detailed renderings, material samples, and a site-specific plan for the 1,025 SF coverage area.
Final Design Approval: Refine the design based on feedback from South Salt Lake Arts, South Salt Lake Public Art Board and City leadership.
3. Engineering & Permitting
Certified Engineering: The Artist is responsible for providing stamped structural engineering drawings (licensed in the State of Utah).
Safety & Compliance: Ensure the structure meets all local building codes, including wind load, snow load, and seismic requirements.
Utility Coordination: Coordinate with the architectural team regarding footings, foundation requirements, and integrated electrical/lighting needs.
Clearance Height: Bottom of the art structure must maintain a minimum 10-foot vertical clearance.
Attachment & Loading: Structural design must utilize the center line of the beams as the primary attachment point and withstand a minimum live/dead structural load requirement of 3 lbs/psf, subject to formal review and stamping by a Utah-licensed structural engineer and approval by the City structural engineering team.