About the Artwork
Water Dip is inspired by the tranquility of underwater space – muted sound, softened light, and slow, floating movement. In this quiet, submerged environment, colors diffuse, edges blur, and movement slows into a gentle rhythm. The California poppy, typically associated with sun and open landscapes, is reimagined beneath the water’s surface, transforming a familiar regional flower into a softened, fantastical presence.
The gradual upward drift of forms introduces a calm sense of lift, becoming a subtle cue for grounding and relaxation within the lobby environment. In a space that is often busy and transitional, the work is intended to slow the visual experience rather than compete for attention. The intentional use of pixelation allows the viewers’ image to merge with the surrounding flora, creating a shared visual field where the two images coexist. This creates a soft, indirect interaction, where viewers can notice themselves within the image without needing to actively engage. Water Dip functions as a visual pause – reducing visual noise and surrounding the space with softness and fluidity. Rather than acting as a focal point, the piece sits within the space more quietly, helping to stabilize the overall atmosphere of the lobby.
By capturing the gentle moment of poppies beneath the water’s surface, Water Dip brings forward feelings of lightness, slowed time, and sensory calm – creating a restorative visual environment that is both immersive and soothing, and enhancing the building’s purpose as a welcoming, healing space for all who enter. In this context, the work supports the broader goals of the Restorative Care Village, a setting focused on mental health, recovery, and supportive care, by contributing to an environment that feels calm, accessible, and supportive for a wide range of users.
About Atelier Manferdini
Elena Manferdini, principal and owner of Atelier Manferdini, has over twenty years of professional experience in design, place making and education. In 2019, Manferdini was honored with the ICON Award as part of the LA Design Festival, which is a prize that recognizes iconic women who have made an indelible mark on Los Angeles, culture, and society in general through their work, character, and creative leadership.
Elena currently teaches at SCI-Arc where she served as Graduate Programs Chair from 2015 to 2025. She has also held Visiting Professor positions at Harvard University (GSD), Cornell University, University of California Berkeley, University of Pennsylvania and Seika University. She frequently lectures, and her work has been exhibited internationally in both architecture and art museums. She is a licensed engineer in Italy, and a licensed architect in Switzerland. She received a Professional Engineering Degree from the University of Civil Engineering (Bologna, Italy) and a Master of Architecture and Urban Design from the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA).
Atelier Manferdini is based in Venice, CA. The firm has completed projects in the US, Europe and Asia. The work occupies a territory between art, architecture, and design. Atelier Manferdini’s 20 years dedication to art in public spaces stems from the desire to help make places of meaning within a community.
“Public Art reflects and reveals our society, adds meaning to our cities and uniqueness to our communities. Public art humanizes the built environment and invigorates public spaces.”
In 2017 Atelier Manferdini facade for Alexander Montessori School in Miami, Florida received 2 AIA Miami design award: People's Choice award of excellence and Merit Award of excellence. In 2016 Elena Manferdini was awarded the PAN Award for best public art project in North America. Her artwork is part of the permanent collections of SFMoMA and LACMA. In 2013 she won the COLA Fellowship given by City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs to support the production of original artwork. In 2013 she received a Graham Award for architecture, the 2013 ACADIA Innovative Research Award of Excellence, and she was selected as recipient for the Educator of the Year presidential award given by the AIA Los Angeles. In 2011 she was one of the recipients of the prestigious annual grants from the United States Artists (USA) in the category of architecture and design.