Sculptural/Functional Elements RFQ, Green Valley Ranch East, Aurora, CO

Green Valley Ranch East is a comprehensive planned community in Aurora, Colorado, featuring neighborhoods, parks, open space, and trails. The development includes approximately 18.3 acres of neighborhood parks and 49.8 acres of open space, greenbelts, and trails. The community is designed around a grand park corridor with a mix of residential types and Contemporary Craftsman architecture, located over a mile above sea level at an average elevation of 5,450 feet.

The City of Aurora is seeking sculptural seating arrangements for two sites within the neighborhood park—one in the northeastern section and one in the southern location closer to a future K-8 school. These locations are intended for contemplative and relaxing engagement with the natural environment. The art selection panel seeks aesthetic and creative solutions beyond simple benches and boulders. The artwork should include vertical and horizontal components, be visually engaging from a distance, and remain detailed upon close inspection. Thematic possibilities include the surrounding natural environment, Colorado wildlife, changing seasons, the power of natural elements, the concept of flight due to proximity to Denver International Airport, or the history of the area. The artwork should be colorful and may employ whimsy or joy. Materials must be durable enough to withstand Colorado's extreme climate conditions, including temperature swings exceeding 40 degrees, subzero and above 100-degree temperatures, high winds, intense sun exposure, low humidity, and precipitation including rain, hail, sleet, and snow.

Budget: $138,400 including design, fabrication, transportation, installation, and all other project costs. Entry deadline: September 22, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. MDT. Applicants must be US residents. Application materials required: 6-8 images of relevant work, professional resume, and statement of interest. Finalists will be notified in early October, with virtual presentations in mid-November. The artwork should be completed and installed by late summer/early fall 2021. Questions should be directed to Roberta Bloom, Public Art Coordinator, at [email protected].