Excelsior Commons Park

Building from the master plan vision, Damon Farber worked with the City of Excelsior to take two priority projects into reality. Together with VJAA Architects, our team envisioned a modern pavilion to replace the decrepit bandshell. It’s sweeping roof artfully collects stormwater in native gardens that surround the structure, while corten steel benches weave into the hillside to provide expanded seating areas that are both elegant and unobtrusive. Adjacent to the pavilion is the concessions building and plaza, which was designed to support the many events in the park with bathrooms, covered seating, and fire features. Our team also focused on improving the park’s ecology with native plantings, a green roof, and woodland hillside garden. In both projects, existing trees were carefully protected to retain the site’s natural character. Our team is continuing work with the City to implement other projects in the master plan including a lakeside overlook and oak savanna restoration within the historic knoll.