Bookmark and Share

Advanced Water Treatment Plant

Summary

The Advanced Water Treatment Plant project was instigated by the City of San Diego Metropolitan Waste Water Department to address the City's need for a sustainable supply of drinking water. The plant, incorporating a public education tour route, would re-purify irrigation quality water making it fit for augmenting a raw drinking water supply. Administered by the City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture, San Diego's public art policy at the time promoted the integration of artists with a negotiable brief at the inception of capital projects.

Malcolm Pirnie, Inc., (MPI), an environmental engineering consulting firm, won the contract with a Design Team of engineers, architect, landscape architect and artist. Experienced artist Robert Millar took a leading role in developing a design concept and architectural visualisation which would reflect the technology used in the plant. His approach is illuminated in his selected artist's notes.

The project management of such a complex project was clearly challenging. Feedback from project participants reveals a thought-provoking, frustrating, but ultimately rewarding project. The Technical Memorandum produced for the 30% design stage by the Art Team describes a rich design with layered meaning and references. Their design won a Progressive Architecture Citation for Visionary Design. In the text of a presentation to fellow engineers, MPI's Project Director reveals his respect and enthusiasm for artist involvement in engineering projects.