Specialist This category of post is kept from showing in the blogroll. It’s for Special Lists. Ha.

11 NOHO – Honor

October 6, 2022| 2022 Design Award Recipient, 2022 Honor Award, Specialist|

2022 AIA CA DESIGN AWARDS

Honor award

11 NOHO

Architect: Brooks + Scarpa

Project Location: North Hollywood, California

Photographer: Courtesy of Brooks + Scarpa | Photos by Tara Wujcik and Jeff Durkin

11 NOHO is a new model of mixed-use housing that includes both affordable low-income and market-rate housing together in a single project. Located on the edge of the very popular and trendy NOHO Arts District, the project affords access to important community amenities to an extremely popular and pedestrian friendly neighborhood. Because it is “Inclusionary Housing”, the project affords equal access for very low income who would otherwise not be able to afford to live in this community.

“A strong, holistic consideration of building performance wrapped into an architecturally interesting design that promotes social equity. (The opening) is successful in connecting you back to the City – a major move to breakdown the monolithic box. The jury was particularly impressed with the following performance criteria:

  • Stormwater management strategy
  • Community service via affordable housing.”

– 2022 Design Awards Jury

Design for Integration

Offering shelter and comfort, 11NOHO eschews the typical neighborhood defensive apartment buildings with solid walls and fences in favor of a carved-out cube, a beacon in the neighborhood that celebrates social space by de-emphasizing private space. Strategically placed windows, purposeful exterior circulation and units that wrap the outer-most edges, orient the 60 apartments to social spaces that are spatially apart, yet visually connected to each other and the street below.  

Design for Equitable Communities

11 NOHO is located within 1/2 mile of 14 basic community resources, on a previous single story office building and parking lot as urban infill. The majority of the tenants do not own cars and daily errands do not require one. A large bike room on the ground floor provides permanent long-term bike parking. Short-term bike parking is provided in the front yard for guests. Vehicular parking has been reduced (19 are provided, a 63% reduction) and include one electric vehicle stall. The rear alley is narrow (substandard width) and the reduction in vehicle trips through the alley alleviates vehicular congestion for the community at-large.The innovative design balances privacy with opportunities to connect with the community.

Because 11 NOHO includes 10% affordable units set aside for very low income tenants they have the same access to the pedestrian and resource rich community amenities that would otherwise not be available to them because of the high cost of housing in the area.

Design for Ecosystems

The project’s location is urban and the previous site was one large 100% impermeable surface lot with a small single story office building. ‘Flow-through’ planters which act like swales. It incorporates more planting than most urban buildings. Drought tolerant plants and gravel provide storm water retention and habitats for animals. All impermeable surfaces are directed to the ‘flow-through’ infiltration planters and all exterior lights are shielded.

Los Angeles County lies along the Pacific Flyway, a major north-south route for migratory birds in America. In spring and fall, the region plays host to millions of birds coming through Southern California on their way back to breeding grounds in the north or wintering grounds in the south. The planting is important because birds play a key role in L.A.’s ecosystem. This region has a huge abundance of biodiversity of birds and this building is close to MacArthur Park, which is an urban park with a lake fed by natural springs- providing a key link in this ecosystem.

36% site area designed to support vegetation
0% site area designed to support vegetation before project began
90% of landscaped areas covered by native or climate-appropriate plants supporting native or migratory animals

Design for Water

A Stormwater Management Plan was implemented to promote infiltration, capture and treat stormwater runoff from 90% of the average annual rainfall, using best management practices. 11 NOHO has been designed such that over 30% of the site consists of vegetative landscaping or permeable surfaces. Impermeable surfaces (such as the roof and second floor deck) are directed to on-site infiltration planters, which retain and clean storm water. This results in a site in which over 95% of the surfaces capture storm water in some way. Water savings of approx. 30% above average due to low flow fixtures equates to substantial cost savings for both utility domestic and sewer water rates and payback time is less than 1 year due to the low cost of these fixtures. passive design, low water fixtures and storm water capture all combine to reduce the need for mechanical and electrical loads. This translates into lower utility costs, a burden that can be placed on tenants of affordable housing.

No invasive plants were used. Predicted Indoor annual water use 2,000,000 gal/120 = 16,666 gal/person, (46 gal/day) (+/- 35-40% better than standard per EPA Watersense). 1.2 gallons/sf of landscaped area during month of peak demand

Design for Economy

We prioritized both first and long-term costs for our non-profit client due to the tight budgets of housing and the need to have no or low maintenance costs for the future of the building. Units are small studios, which allow for a very high density and the building envelope utilizes low-cost passive strategies to reduce energy use including increased insulation in the walls/roof, natural cross ventilation and a white roof. The mild, sunny California climate and low solar panel costs results in a short pay-back for the hot water rooftop solar panel array.

Framing efficiencies were utilized: prefab detailed cut list and lumber order, open-web floor/roof trusses spaced more than 16″ and panelized construction. Floor plates, building volumes and shear walls stack vertically, reducing cost and construction waste. The ground floor parking garage is naturally ventilated, saving energy and substantial cost. All of the exterior materials were chosen for their low maintenance qualities. Hot water panel solar system cost has a payback time of less than 5 years.

Design for Energy

Building design must incorporate passive principals first….which require daylight and natural ventilation. Views are equally as important. Percentage of floor area or percentage of occupant work stations with direct views of the outdoors: 95%. Percentage of floor area or percentage of occupant work stations within 30’ of operable windows: 95%.

Passively designed around a large open courtyard, most of the units have cross ventilation and abundant natural light. Upgraded wall and roof insulation, a light-colored roof and roof-top planting mitigate heat gain and reduce energy load. The ground floor garage was specifically designed to be naturally ventilated, reducing energy load. The elevator is intentionally ‘tucked away’ to encourage tenants to circulate through the building using the stairs, which also saves energy and improves health.

This residential building type uses more hot water than other building types, therefore an efficient common boiler was utilized, commissioned and connected to roof-top solar hot water panels, which further reduce fossil fuel use. All of the unit heating and cooling is via a very efficient combination ‘multi-unit’ variable refrigerant flow system. All of the appliances are energy star rated and all of the light fixtures are high-efficacy.

Design for Well-being

This neighborhood is a ‘walker’s paradise’ with a 96 Walk Score and is near excellent transit and bike lanes. Most of the affordable and other tenants that live here do not own cars and can accomplish their daily activities easily without one. A large bike room on the ground floor provides permanent long-term bike parking. Short-term bike parking is provided in the front yard for guests. Vehicular parking has been reduced (19 are provided, a 63% reduction) and 11 NOHO has been designed to encourage walking and socializing. Both exterior stairs have been designed to be special, not standard, and the elevator was tucked out of the way in favor of a more open pathway, which provides tenants with more options for socializing. The design incorporates recommendations from an Acoustical Report that determined street noise was substantially reduced by orienting the units towards the courtyard.

Design for Resources

During construction, 93% of construction waste was diverted from the landfill. Materials were selected for their modest first cost and also their no or low-maintenance qualities.

Strategies were developed to address durability issues, indoor air quality issues and moisture control. Hard flooring is used throughout the unit interiors (no carpet). Where concrete was used it was left exposed and unpainted, with the exception of the recreation room, where the flooring is cork for acoustical reasons.

Framing efficiencies were utilized, such as precut framing packages, joist spacing greater than 16″ o.c., composite wood structural members and open-web wood trusses.

Materials were procured with a recycled content (such as concrete with flyash content and gypsum board with recycled content) and all of the aggregate for the concrete foundations was procured locally. Materials were chosen with integral colors to eliminate the need for any future painting or refinishing, such as the window frames and the integral-colored stucco throughout project.

Major materials have HPD certifications, all materials meet the City of Los Angeles Green Building Code, the California Air Resources Board and the South Coast Air Quality Management District’s criteria.

Design for Change

11 NOHO incorporates passive survive-ability. It minimizes vehicular space in favor of living space and provides multiple transportation options: vehicular, pedestrian, bicycle and electric vehicle. Bicycle space is lockable and incorporates a work space, to make it easy for tenants to use alternative modes of transportation. The building location near existing bus lines allows tenants to use mass transportation in lieu of private vehicles. The building location near a park and other amenities allow tenants to walk to services.

The on-grade garage, with a flat floor, can easily be adapted for another use in the future when vehicles become scarce. Vehicular spaces were reduced by over 60% (from current code) by utilizing incentives from the state for affordable housing. There are 19 spaces for 52 units and 4 on-site employees.

The roof is designed to be ‘solar-ready’ and can accommodate a future photovoltaic solar panel array. The mechanical and plumbing systems are ‘common’ (shared by multiple units) which mitigates the frequency of mechanical failure and boosts efficiency. The solar hot water panels will keep water warm without utility power.

It is designed to last a minimum of 60 years, which runs with the affordability covenants that are required.

Design for Discovery

We keep a detailed spreadsheet of the cost of our projects and the cost of the energy-efficiency measures and have found, in the past 20 years, a substantial decrease in the cost of the energy-efficiency measures and improvement in our ability to meet more stringent requirements due to improved codes, more efficient equipment and lenders that are requiring at least 30% better efficiencies than our state code.

We give tours of our completed buildings to professional organizations (such as the AIA), students, lenders and other interested people and we take pride in the fact that a large majority of our clients are repeat clients. We believe in educating others as to our own ‘lessons learned’ and have also reached out to the Los Angeles Dept of Building & Safety with recommendations to improve the permitting process. A team of Planners from the City of LA has visited the site to discuss the ‘unintended’ consequences of their restrictive interpretation on rear setbacks, first brought up by us during plan check on the project.

Read More →

Desert Palisades – Honor

October 6, 2022| 2022 Design Award Recipient, 2022 Honor Award, Specialist|

2022 AIA CA DESIGN AWARDS

Honor award

Desert Palisades

Architect: Woods + Dangaran

Project Location: Palm Springs, California

Photographer: Joe Fletcher

This residence is deeply connected to the desert environment and its context in the hills above Palm Springs. Surrounded by boulders and spanning a natural arroyo, the home is lifted above existing site features while maintaining its connection with the earth. The design celebrates the hallmarks of classic desert modernism—horizontal lines, the use of natural materials, and expansive glazing. The open, shared areas and intimate enclosures allow individuals to experience several spatial environments.

“The building siting, organic natural materials both indoors and out, and expansive glazing strongly ground it into its surroundings and integrates it in a responsible, environmentally sensitive way. Noteworthy performance features include: 

  • Meets 2030 target goal
  • Use of FSC certified wood
  • Abundant access to natural daylight
  • Use of natural ventilation and +L5 thermal mass”

– 2022 Design Awards Jury

Design for Integration

Set in Palm Springs, this home emphasizes natural materials, and visual and physical linkages between indoors and out. Spanning a natural arroyo, the home is lifted above existing site features, preserving natural waterflows and original boulders. Burnished CMU blocks flank the ends of the main pavilion, grounding the home to the site. The home is clad in unfinished patinaed brass that will naturally weather over the years. Sliding glass doors provide natural ventilation.

Design for Equitable Communities

When designing this home, we wanted to consider the delicate surrounding landscape native to the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. Being one of the first homes in this environment we wanted to set the standard of design quality and care. The materials and tone are consistent with the native landscape. Identifying natural boulders and two arroyos helped us to site the building without disturbing the native terrain and to maintain original drainage channels. The residence is a new classic Palm Springs vacation home, while still being extremely of its place.

Design for Ecosystems

The landscape design uses a wide variety of 100% native plantings including cacti, shrubs, perennial desert flowers, and trees (where strategic shading is most needed). Boulders native to the site have been repositioned to flow seamlessly into the home’s design and in some cases act as architectural features all their own. These actions preserve the micro-climate of the site, and the home becomes an inhabitant of the site rather than an interloper.

Design for Water

The home spans over the sloping site, floating over two natural arroyos. By carefully forming the building around the site, we were able to preserve the functionality of the arroyos and leave the natural watershed undisturbed, preserving the delicate balance that is crucial to this region. Low flow water fixtures are also utilized in the home, minimizing the overall water usage of the residence. The landscape is designed to be extremely drought tolerant and appropriate to the climate. This was achieved with the use of various native plants including barrel cactus, desert spoon, and Mojave yucca.

Design for Economy

The architecture emphasizes horizontal lines, natural materials, and visual and physical linkages between indoors and out. The materials palette is tonal to the landscape, won’t fight the harsh climate, but was selected to weather well with over time. Exterior walls of brass panels float over concrete masonry units that are carefully selected to match the color of the sand on site. Floors inside and out are an unfilled travertine. Teak detailing is found throughout the home, wrapped in brass panels, they will naturally patina over time.

Design for Energy

Several passive energy cooling techniques are utilized. Trellises overhang every western exposure and offer shading to much of the outdoor living space. High performance, thermally broken doors and windows provide thorough insulation. An abundance of glazing throughout the home eliminates the need for artificial lighting during the day. A VRF mechanical system zones the temperature control of the home, ensuring that energy is not spent to cool unused spaces. The residence takes additional advantage of the harsh desert environment and utilized onsite renewable photovoltaic panels to power the home. Low-flow plumbing fixtures and fittings are used throughout the home.

Design for Well-being

Users can interact and connect to the habitat from nearly every space in the home. Floor-to-ceiling windows on each side of the great room provide natural daylight and ventilation. A glass atrium formed by the bridge connecting the two wings of the home provides a moment of transition and calm as one enters the main pavilion of the home. This space is unencumbered by fences or border walls, so swimmers can engage directly with the environment beyond. The master suite also offers sweeping views, as the secondary master contains a private deck, to provide its own moment of quiet connection.

Design for Resources

As a practice we aim to provide the most efficient designs while reducing the need for excess material. The materials chosen for the home will wear well and age over time as it adapts to its surrounding environment, including the brass paneling that will patina over time and CMU blocks that will never need replacement. These are high investment cost materials but will provide a long lifetime of use.

Design for Change

The biggest threat to this site is drought and materials of the structure becoming brittle. The materials we selected are not synthetic will patina over time rather than deteriorate. Flash flooding is also of concern – the home is lifted above the site and natural water channels are well managed. The floor-to-ceiling window/door fixtures provide ample access to light and natural ventilation. This makes the home very survivable in the short term of natural events.

Design for Discovery

The process of completing this project provided many opportunities to learn and adapt to designing in a delicate landscape. This home is very contextual. We learned lessons regarding scale, adjacencies, and function when designing the home to be part of nature rather than fighting against it. Lessons learned from the project have been shared with our team. We reference the scale, floor plans, photographs, construction submittals, etc. to build upon our portfolio and continue to influence better and better practice for each new project we take on. Additionally, the homeowner has opened up the residence to architectural tours to share our learnings with the public.

Read More →

High Desert Retreat – Honor

October 6, 2022| 2022 Design Award Recipient, 2022 Honor Award, Specialist|

2022 AIA CA DESIGN AWARDS

Honor award

High Desert Retreat

Architect: Aidlin Darling Design

Project Location: Palm Springs, California

Photographer: Joe Fletcher, Adam Rouse

Sited on a rocky desert plateau outside of Palm Desert, this home is tightly nestled within a constellation of boulders overlooking the Coachella Valley and the San Jacinto Mountain Range. The residence performs as a simple framing device for the occupant to observe the dynamic surrounding terrain. The home’s diagram is a triptych of elements: a floating roof plane, a collection of wooden volumes, and two concrete anchor walls.

“An impressive zero net energy residential project with broad overhangs in dialogue with the vastness of the high desert; a well executed design and a stunning home. Noteworthy performance criteria include:

  • Water reuse system
  • Energy savings
  • Consideration of well-being
  • Construction material use.”

– 2022 Design Awards Jury

Design for Integration

The residence was initiated to be as energy efficient as possible, by necessity of its remote location. Power outages and water interruptions necessitated an off-the-grid approach. A 15kW solar array was split into three sections, two on the main roof, and one on the detached garage. A battery array in the garage incorporates solar energy storage. Two 5k-gallon water tanks were discreetly installed on the property, allowing for an ample potable water supply. An on-site septic system and low-flow plumbing fixtures keep all waste contained and managed on-site.

Design for Equitable Communities

Design for Ecosystems

The project was designed to be an integral part of its natural environment, with the least amount of disruption as possible to the existing ecosystems and wildlife patterns on site. In addition to keeping all ancient pinyon trees and rock formations in the design, the pool and courtyard water feature, in addition to providing evaporating cooling for the clients, also serendipitously serve as watering holes for location wildlife. The wild site, a large percentage of which was untouched, directly meets the constructed site and become one moment.

Design for Water

Two 5k-gallon water tanks were installed discreetly on the property to allow for an ample potable water supply in the case of utilities going out of service for an extended period of time. An on-site septic system, along with low flow plumbing fixtures, truly keep all waste contained and managed on the site.

Design for Economy

Shared common spaces in the main structure are used by the client when only they are occupying the space, leaving the guest wing dormant until needed for guests, helping reduce energy needs when only the two clients occupy the home.

Design for Energy

The residence was initiated to be efficient in concept, by necessity of its remote location, while providing livable shelter in a diurnal harsh environment. The goal was to use the least amount of power as possible from the municipal grid. Frequent power outages and water interruptions necessitated an off-the-grid approach. A 15kW solar array was split into three sections with two on the main roof and one on the detached garage roof. A battery array in the garage stores solar energy throughout day, which contributes to the building’s performance at night and during extended power outages.

Design for Well-being

The entire house was designed to open up to fresh air, and use minimal to no artificial lighting during the daytime. Every room has access to operable windows with views, with skylights in the single powder room that does not have a window. As the building was seamlessly integrated with the natural boulder formations on the site, as well as preserving every old growth pinyon tree on the property, it’s connection to the natural environment was the driving factor of the floor plan.

Design for Resources

The project was designed with long life cycle materials in mind — concrete, charred and acetylated wood from Accoya that comes with a 30-year warranty, robust steel windows and framing elements, and aluminum windows and doors for long working lives. The house used all water-based sealants, stains, and paints; low to no-VOC products; and has multiple operable windows and doors to allow ample fresh air to cycle through.

The materials of the home were chosen to quietly contrast the lighter palette of the desert landscape. The blackened wood siding is pine wood that is acetylated, burnt, wire-brushed, stained and sealed. All of these treatments are intended to provide a highly textured finish that is bug and rot resistant, and minimizes movement within a climate known for its large diurnal temperature swings. The interior is a collage of concrete, wood, stone, and steel, each responding to its immediate application to maximize durability while providing the home with warmth and a soulful nesting quality.

Design for Change

The project runs on a 15kw solar system, that powers the house throughout the day, along with battery backup storage, in case of blackouts. As every room has operable windows, if power does go out, and the battery backup is expended, cross ventilation can be employed to continue to live in the spaces with comfort until power is restored, or evacuation is mandated. 10k gallons of water storage allow for extended lengths of potable water for drinking and cooking in the event of a water outage. The materials used on the project were selected for their robust nature and durability over time, to mitigate the need for maintenance involving paints or replacement.

Design for Discovery

Read More →

Sister Lillian Murphy Community – Honor

October 6, 2022| 2022 Design Award Recipient, 2022 Honor Award, Specialist|

2022 AIA CA DESIGN AWARDS

Honor award

Sister Lillian Murphy Community

Architect: Paulett Taggart Architects with Associate Architect StudioVARA

Project Location: San Francisco, California

Photographer: Bruce Damonte

This new affordable housing development breaks open perimeter block typology into four articulated masses connected by open-air circulation and multilevel landscapes. This strategy integrates and visually connects the residents to the surrounding neighborhood and creates micro-communities within the building and block.  Integrated design and supportive programming create a healthy, dynamic and supportive environment that helps build community.

“This multifamily project is handsome, variegated, and possesses a good urban presence. It addresses the needs of families living and working in the urban environment; extending the range of its impact by providing services to the broader neighborhood. Commendable performance criteria include:

  • Exceeded the 2016 Title 24 code
  • Achieved a 38% reduction from the benchmark EUI which is laudable for an affordable project”

– 2022 Design Awards Jury

Design for Integration

Breaks in building massing create small, distinguishable communities within the building and block, provide visual connection, and maximize sun exposure. This strategy provides ample fresh air, sunlight and greenery for the entire building.  The corner stair tower acts as a beacon at the terminus of an urban view corridor. Its dynamic, airy interior and stunning views welcome residents to use the stairs, encouraging a healthy and active lifestyle. Sustainable strategies balance health, wellness and economy.

Design for Equitable Communities

The building is designed for its urban setting, woven into a lively, walkable, neighborhood. Such amenities as the bicycle pavilion and stroller parking support a car-free lifestyle and design elements such as the airy stair tower encourage healthy habits.

Open air circulation and common amenities strategically located adjacent to landscaped courtyards offer health benefits and opportunities to encounter neighbors.

The ground floor child development center serves families in the community, with free services to eligible local households. The community room on ground floor is strategically located to allow for public access. All common outdoor spaces are fully accessible.

Design for Ecosystems

The design of open spaces and their interface with the public right of way and pedestrian mews use native, adapted Mediterranean, and very drought tolerant species with tremendous variety of size, form, color and texture. Taller vertical plantings create smaller intimate spaces that feel protected from overhead views and will grow to provide greenery outside upper level windows, framing views to the neighborhood beyond. Native grassy species used in the existing adjacent pedestrian mews were repeated along that frontage. These species are appropriate for the stormwater planters and reinforce a bayside character that existed here before any development.

Design for Water

Stormwater that falls within project boundary is collected and directed to stormwater planters that slow and clean water before releasing to the City system. Stormwater planters are scattered across the project in main courtyard, upper podium spaces, along perimeter of building, and along the adjacent pedestrian mews. Low-flow water fixtures are used throughout. The project is fully set up to utilize a separated reclaimed water system for all toilets in the building, once the City of San Francisco implements the reclaimed water supply in the neighborhood.

Design for Economy

A variety of residential unit sizes are designed with great efficiency, allowing minimized square footage yet extremely livable units. Breaking the building into wings lent itself to grouping and stacking of repetitive unit types for construction efficiency, and prefabricated wood framing reduces cost and waste. Exterior circulation reduces reliance on mechanical systems and provides a healthier environment; generous windows provide ample daylight. Exposed concrete structure and exterior and interior finishes were chosen for economy and durability. Efficiencies such as centralized open space in lieu of private balconies and shared laundry have the added benefit of promoting social interaction.

Design for Energy

The project exceeds California’s stringent energy standards. Photovoltaics generate solar thermal hot water, offsetting energy usage. Strategies to reduce energy consumption include electric heat and stoves, LED lighting, Energy Star rated appliances, generously sized windows for ample daylighting, and outdoor circulation with photocell lighting controls. Exposed concrete walls on south side provide passive thermal cooling and heating benefits, and sunshade formats respond to solar orientation. A fast EV Charger provided in the garage (all on-site parking spaces are EV capable/EV ready) promote the use of electric vehicles and designated car-share vehicle parking space encourages car sharing.

Design for Well-being

The project enhances residents’ quality of life and promotes healthy living. The light and airy main stair tower, designed in reference to Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move initiative, encourages fitness by inviting residents to take the stairs. The building’s massing strategy sites the tallest to the north, maximizing sunlight into courtyards. Outdoor spaces provide ample biophilic connection and a variety of structures, rather than age-restrictive equipment, to encourage creative play. Exterior circulation provides safe, fresh-air passage and ample windows provide abundant daylight. Quality indoor air is enhanced through low-VOC paints and finishes, operable windows, and filtered mechanical ventilation.

Design for Resources

Anticipating a 50-year building life and striving to be good stewards of both the environment and the non-profit client’s funding, the design team applied solutions that balanced affordability with longevity. For instance, fly-ash concrete structure and finishes were used throughout for economy and durability, providing passive thermal and environmental benefitss. FSC certified wood was applied where able for such items as apartment doors. Low/No-VOC interior products and finishes contribute to healthy indoor air quality, and approximately 65% of site construction waste was diverted from landfill.

Design for Change

An affordable housing development, the building is not intended to change use but was designed with some flexibility. All units are adaptable to accommodate residents with disabilities. All of the on-site parking is EV capable/EV ready to allow for installation of EV chargers in the future. Most spaces within units and common areas have passive systems available, including generous glazing for daylight and operable windows for passive ventilation, which allows for adaptability to outside conditions. For instance, in adverse outside air conditions, such as pollution or wildfire smoke, residents can close operable windows and the mechanically-ventilated air to their homes is well-filtered. Likewise, as has been revealed in the COVID pandemic, the health benefits of natural ventilation are significant, and when outside conditions are optimal, the exterior circulation design reduces reliance on mechanical systems, while providing a healthy alternative via natural ventilation. In addition, the project is fully set up to utilize a separated reclaimed water system for all toilets in the building, once the City of San Francisco implements the reclaimed water supply in the neighborhood.

Arguably the biggest change facing 691 China Basin is its location. The Mission Bay neighborhood is built on landfill and actively sinking. As a result, the building was built on steel piles and a spider web of grade beams support the building and central courtyard structural slab on grade. Flow-through planters in the courtyard had to be placed between the grade beams, requiring tight coordination with the landscape architect.

However, the streets and sidewalks in Mission Bay are not as stable and are actively sinking. Working in collaboration with the developer, contractor, and other stakeholders, who all brought previous experience and lessons learned from earlier development in the neighborhood, the design team incorporated design strategies to maintain accessibility as the neighborhood infrastructure declines. For instance, buried steps will reveal themselves as the sidewalks sink, and hinge slabs on exterior access points respond to the movement of street and sidewalks around the perimeter of the site.

Design for Discovery

Anticipating a 50-year building life and striving to be good stewards of both the environment and the non-profit client’s funding, the design team applied solutions that balanced affordability with longevity. For instance, fly-ash concrete structure and finishes were used throughout for economy and durability, providing passive thermal and environmental benefitss. FSC certified wood was applied where able for such items as apartment doors. Low/No-VOC interior products and finishes contribute to healthy indoor air quality, and approximately 65% of site construction waste was diverted from landfill.

Read More →

Caymus-Suisun Winery – Merit

October 6, 2022| 2022 Design Award Recipient, 2022 Merit Award, Specialist|

2022 AIA CA DESIGN AWARDS

merit award

Caymus-Suisun Winery

Architect: Bohlin Cywinski Jackson 

Project Location: Fairfield, California

Photographer: Matthew Millman

Caymus-Suisun Winery sets a new standard for hospitality in an emerging wine region, creating an elevated yet approachable experience and fostering a sense of discovery and immersion within the landscape. The winery includes a glass-enclosed tasting pavilion, sheltered welcome and retail building, and 29 acres of orchards, gardens, and vineyards. The tasting pavilion opens to let the valley’s hallmark breezes flow through, while a pyramidal oculus emphasizes changing light throughout the day.

”Very powerful and well detailed, pavilion style building with impressive passive heating and cooling measures.” – 2022 Design Awards Jury

Design for Integration

The project provides immersion and connection to the landscape while maintaining occupant comfort in a region with hot, dry summers and cool winters. Strategies for natural ventilation and minimizing direct sunlight throughout the day create an open and airy environment throughout. Integral to the sense of presence within this emerging wine region, the tasting pavilion’s deep overhangs and dramatic west cantilever provide shade during warm afternoons as the sun moves toward the nearby hillside.

Design for Equitable Communities

The site shares an entrance with a neighboring restaurant, hospitality and events center, helping to form a cluster of activity and encourage visitors to park and explore several amenities during a visit.

Design for Ecosystems

Our clients wanted each guest visit to involve exploration of the site’s dry-farmed vineyards and variety of diverse crops, including fruits, vegetables, and new tree plantings that provide additional habitat for small fauna and pollinators on the valley floor. Choreographing this indoor/outdoor approach, we integrated publicly accessible pathways through the site to encourage visitors to move seamlessly from tasting environment to landscape. Abundant natural light and wide openings in each tasting environment, as well as sheltered outdoor areas, help visitors experience the sights, sounds and smells of the surrounding landscape as they enjoy their visit.

Design for Water

Stone dripline infiltration trenches integrated into the outdoor circulation around the tasting pavilion mitigate stormwater and minimize volume of stormwater going into underground systems. Permeable pavers and perennial plantings throughout the site promote stormwater infiltration.

Design for Economy

Our clients wanted flexibility and multiple uses for tasting environments, both as a strategy to help groups of different sizes find their ideal setting as well as meeting the need for hosting varied community gatherings and events. We created tasting areas for different group sizes to feel comfortable, but left flexibility to easily scale up or down to accommodate different functions. Efficient back of house organization and location in core masses responded to our client’s operational and service needs while maintaining the interior’s clean lines and restrained materials palette.

Design for Energy

Large door openings and motorized transoms take advantage of southwest winds off the San Pablo Bay, reducing the need for cooling in the afternoon hours and allowing the building to open to the outdoors. The transom windows also provide nighttime flushing, using overnight air to pre-cool the building mass. On warm days when doors are closed, high-efficiency rooftop heat pumps and indirect evaporative coolers provide a comfortable interior environment. Hydronic tubing in concrete slab-on-grade provides radiant heating in winter and chilled floor cooling in summer. Deep overhangs reduce solar heat gain, particularly within the west tasting areas in the afternoon.

Design for Well-being

We conducted spatial daylight analyses to create an open, light-filled environment while minimizing direct sunlight into tasting areas during the warmest times of the day. The oculus over the central tasting area includes integral tint, low-e coating, and a frit pattern to reduce heat gain and moderate natural light. All tasting areas have expansive views to the outdoors, while deep overhangs, particularly over the west terrace, provide shade during warm afternoons. Large openings and motorized transoms take advantage of cooling southwest winds off the San Pablo Bay, while the motorized transoms provide nighttime flushing to pre-cool the building mass overnight.

Design for Resources

The Tasting Room is a steel-framed building. The Retail Building is a wood-framed building, with concrete masonry (CMU) walls and mass-timber roof structure. The project uses a limited material palette of wood, concrete, an aluminum and glass window system, and mass timber. Finishes were minimized by limiting painted gypsum-board to Back-of-House spaces. The project team worked with local artists and craftspeople to integrate interior furnishings made with local and regional materials.

Design for Change

The valley is a floodplain and the buildings were raised several feet above natural grade to remain above floodplain elevation without changing the natural drainage of the site.

Design for Discovery

Because the project was recently completed and opened to guests in June, a POE has not been conducted but is planned after 12 months of occupancy to understand how the design is working for staff, visitor comfort, flexibility of different tasting environments, and more. As a relatively new project typology for our firm, we plan to share information about process, successes and improvements with our staff to inform future projects.

Read More →

Glorya Kaufman Performing Arts Center – Merit

October 6, 2022| 2022 Design Award Recipient, 2022 Merit Award, Specialist|

2022 AIA CA DESIGN AWARDS

merit award

Glorya Kaufman Performing Arts Center

Architect: AUX Architecture 

Project Location: Los Angeles, California

Photographer: Nic Lehoux

The Center is a remodel of and addition to a 1950s-era Temple located at the center of Vista Del Mar’s campus and was conceived and designed to be the home of Vista Del Mar’s innovative therapeutic performing arts program. The Center provides space for both learning and performing dance, music, and theatrical productions. Accessory spaces allow for production coordination, stage craft, dressing and changing, rehearsal, and classrooms.

”The design strategy to to wrap a new skin around the existing building created a beautiful structural form; the way it transitions between day and night is particularly successful.” – 2022 Design Awards Jury

Design for Integration

The building is designed as a series of vignettes that express motion, music, and movement. A semi-translucent façade wraps the structure and, in the evening, it transforms into a glowing heart at the center of campus. Besides adding a distinctive aesthetic, the highly durable polycarbonate façade is made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic and can be recycled again at the end of its lifecycle. Directly behind the façade, a series of rhythmic columns create an interplay of light and shadow.

Design for Equitable Communities

Despite being located in the center of Los Angeles, the campus of Vista has largely gone unnoticed for the entirely of its existence as the work they do is largely confidential due to HIPPA law. The performance venue is both a place for students and residents of Vista but is also now offered to the larger performance community – musicians, dancers, actors – as a venue to use for their work. This unique opportunity to expose the history and mission of Vista to the outside world will allow the non-profit to increase the audience they are sharing their mission and vision to.

Design for Ecosystems

We were able to maintain the embodied carbon of existing building and structure. The façade made from recycled plastic and can be recycled once again at the end of its useful life. Finally, low-impact development (LID) principles are firmly in place for landscape and stormwater mitigation, and drought tolerant plants are used in the landscape.

Design for Water

Design for water consists of both indoor and outdoor State of California and City of Los Angeles Green Building measures. The indoor plumbing fixtures are designed for water efficiency and conservation and provide a 20% reduction in the overall building’s use of potable water. The project site is also designed to the City’s Low Impact Development and Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance guidelines. These mitigation measures ensure that any stormwater runoff on the project site, which consists of 7 tributary areas, are first captured by biofiltration planters followed by a treat and discharge process through the use of underground sump pumps that reduce the volume and intensity of runoff into the stormwater system. The hardscape areas for vehicular access provide a permeable asphalt which allows water to infiltrate into the soil.

Design for Economy

The project’s budget was limited to what the donor’s gift was. In certain instances, standard “off-the-shelf” products were used in lieu of custom or luxury finish options so that funds could be allocated towards more impactful design moments. High quality intensive use upholstery for the theater’s seating will last decades, wood grille panels with acoustic felt for the theater’s walls and ceiling add both natural materials and visual interest within the space, wood-sprung stage flooring and rehearsal space creates a safe platform for students and performers, and performance-specific stage surfaces can be placed on top of the stage to enhance the performance while protecting the stage.

Design for Energy

The performing arts center utilized 4,700 square feet of an existing building, which reduced the carbon footprint by approximately 100 metric tons of embodied CO2 (per Construction Carbon Calculator). Despite the added financial and schedule impacts, the decision to save materials and divert waste from landfills set a high bar for sustainability early on. The existing building was “wrapped” by and L-shaped addition that not only architecturally transformed the building but stabilized and insulated it.

The new façade is a modern polycarbonate skin that is 100% recyclable material made of 35% recycled plastic, allowing for daylighting to all accessory spaces and classrooms. An integrated LED lighting system reduces energy costs, low-flow water fixtures limit the use of potable water, and a high albedo roof deflects sunlight and reduces the overall building temperature. The building is designed to meet Cal Green requirements and has infrastructure for photovoltaic panels to be installed as budget permits.

Design for Well-being

The project’s mission was to design sustainable and environment for both students and the community that will experience it. The Center heavily emphasized the need to provide acoustically sound spaces, soft wall and ceiling textures in the theater, shock absorbent dance flooring for the stage and rehearsal room, a playful color palette throughout the building, sensible transitions from darker rooms to more naturally illuminated areas of the building, and various means of accessibility between the two floors and easy accessibility to the landscaped outdoor areas of the project. The Center’s shape and proportions are also designed to sensibly tie back to Vista Del Mar’s overall campus building scale and density.

Design for Resources

The Design Resources were heavily influenced and prioritized around the health of the students and their sense of awareness. The students can experience the importance of sustainable products, the finishes of the building, and the natural and diverse landscape throughout the site as well as the importance of the preservation of the existing Temple structure. Exterior materials were locally and nationally sourced to minimize carbon footprint. Besides adding a distinctive aesthetic, the highly durable polycarbonate façade is made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic and can be recycled again at the end of its useful life.

Design for Change

This project is the home for a therapeutic arts program that supports the education and learning of students in grades Kindergarten through 12th that are autistic, non-communicative, or have experienced trauma and are progressing through their journey of healing. Designing an autonomous and resilient structure is beyond doubt a responsibility that we took extremely seriously. The project has been designed and engineered for energy and water conservation as well as environmental noise measures to increase its performance, and livability. To the best of the budget’s means, the materials are frugally selected and came from the principle of utilizing the most practical, adaptable and durable materials for survivability.

Design for Discovery

The Center and the team of professionals who guided the project to completion have formed a strong bond and relationship with each other, the Owner, and the end users of the facility. They continue to explore additional projects that will support the mission and vision of Vista Del Mar and their desire to integrate more fully with the surrounding community.

Read More →

Kol Emeth – Merit

October 5, 2022| 2022 Design Award Recipient, 2022 Merit Award, Specialist|

2022 AIA CA DESIGN AWARDS

merit award

Kol Emeth

Architect: Field Architecture

Architect on Record: EID Architects

Project Location: Palo Alto, California

Photographer: Joe Fletcher

Congregation Kol Emeth’s new home fosters its community’s religious
practice while also embracing the natural world as a source of spiritual
wellbeing. Three interwoven structures contain a sanctuary, classrooms,
administrative and multi-purpose areas, and a native garden. The indoor and
outdoor spaces flow together seamlessly to physically and visually connect congregants
with their surroundings. Kol Emeth is the first LEED Platinum synagogue to also
be a Net Zero Energy and Net Zero Water Building for irrigation.

“Well detailed without being fussy. A beautiful building marrying a highly successful sustainable approach with materials creating rich, layered, textured spaces.” – 2022 Design Awards Jury

Design for Integration

The synagogue complex integrates high energy performance with natural materials and systems to create a finely-tuned spiritual experience. The organization of its three volumes—along with key design details such as skylights, clerestories, and sliding glass walls—enhance daylighting and minimize heat gain. Project components were fabricated offsite, minimizing the construction footprint and construction waste. Recycled and reclaimed materials reduce the building’s embodied energy. Surface water is collected and biofiltered, and solar energy is harvested.

Design for Equitable Communities

Kol Emeth sustainability strategy began with site and connectivity. Out of 5 alternate locations researched, the existing lot was selected for its connection to existing pedestrian and bicycle networks.

Skylights, clerestories, and full length sliding glass partition walls, create an environment which includes the outdoors in indoor functions, and provides a connection the surrounding environment in every space of the building.

A street facing promenade garden traverses the length of the building’s primary façade. The garden places a working natural system along the entire length of the building, which functions as an integral outer-layer of the building, and an invitation to the extended community to leave the car at home and walk.

Design for Ecosystems

The footprint of the building was optimized to house parking underneath the above grade developed surfaces, maximizing retention of native soil and removing no trees. This also allowed elimination of parking heat island effect and contaminated surface runoff. Surface water shed is biofiltered, and collected for an eco-balanced native garden and soil mix that restores the natural ecology of the region and fosters pollenating songbirds, animals, and insects. A street facing promenade garden traverses the length of the building’s primary façade. The garden places a working natural system along the entire length of the building, which functions as an integral outer-layer of the building.

Design for Water

The footprint of the building was optimized to house parking underneath the above grade developed surfaces, maximizing retention of native soil and removing no trees. This also allowed elimination of parking heat island effect and contaminated surface runoff. Surface water shed is biofiltered, and collected for an eco-balanced native garden and soil mix that restores the natural ecology of the region and fosters pollenating songbirds, animals, and insects.

The building employs a comprehensive rainwater catchment system. Native landscape is designed based on rain water harvesting and gray water catchment yield for a net zero irrigation landscape.

Design for Economy

A restrictive budget for the fully fund-raised building required innovative solutions early in the design process and disciplined follow through during development. The rigor of the process began with the selection of the site. Several sites were evaluated, and ultimately, the decision was made to build on the existing building site despite its stringent size limitations. This demanded that right sizing the buildings look to creative spatial configurations in order to accommodate the changing needs of the community.

Building economy was incorporated into the design thinking from its inception. Strategic thinking behind the fabrication, assembly, building sequence, and timing allowed the double benefit of stable costs and controlled timeline – allowing the control of two volatile elements in today’s construction market.

Design for Energy

The building is Net Zero Energy, harvesting solar energy through a 136kW Photovoltaic system, which in addition to providing power for the buildings accommodates installed EV charging for 25% of all stalls, and infrastructure allowing expansion to 90% of all stalls. Strategically placed skylights allow for the re-purposing of parking space to programmed play, learning, and flexible spaces, designed and issued as part of the project documentation.

The material strategy for the building looks to reuse, reclaim, and reduce embodied energy and carbon footprint. Recycled re-bar, fly ash concrete, advanced framing, and OSB Structurally Insulated Panels were used as the building’s primary structural materials. The structure is insulated on the interior and exterior faces. Interior ceilings are lined with renewable woven hemp ceiling panels, over which timber slats are hung to modulate daylight from the skylights above, while creating a dappled light show that enlivens the spaces of congregation, and expands awareness of the movement of the sun.

Design for Well-being

As the first synagogue in the world to achieve LEED Platinum, net zero energy, and net zero water, Kol Emeth is designed for the well being of its users. Structure and skin are fabricated and finished off-site to reduce footprint and waste. Air quality, daylight, and views were used as design drivers.

Orientation and apertures are calibrated for optimal daylighting and solar gain control. Skylights, clerestories, and full length sliding glass partitions, create an environment which includes the indoor/outdoors functions, and provides a connection to the surrounding environment and views from every space of the building.

Design for Resources

The material strategy for Kol Emeth looks to reuse, reclaim, and reduce embodied energy and carbon footprint. Recycled steel, fly ash concrete, advanced framing, and Structurally Insulated Panels were used as the building’s structural materials. Interior ceilings are lined with renewable hemp panels, and timber slats are hung to modulate daylight from skylights above, while creating a dappled light that enlivens the spaces, and expands awareness of the movement of the sun.

Five North American weather-resistant wood species comprise the façade lattice. The timbers are reclaimed “shorts” – wood pieces too short for the mills to sell, and timber downed by wildfires, many of which were diverted from landfill. Local & regional material sourcing, natural weather resistant materials, low carbon concrete, and recycled glass cast countertops are among a number of the strategies employed in reducing environmental impact.

Design for Change

Since Kol Emeth’s completion in 2020, the congregation has increased its programming substantially, and has seen a significant increase in membership. The design was posed with an unprecedented challenge with changing social engagement patterns brought about by the global pandemic almost concurrently with its opening days. With flexibility, contiguous indoor outdoor programming, and cross-functionality at the core of its design, the building use was adjusted and a new modus operandi developed that provided an enduring sense of connection when it was needed most.

Rising mean temperatures and extreme weather events were designed for using a hyper-insulated envelope, well beyond code minimum. Together with strategic aperture sizing and orientation, glass and shading, the building provides for a passive moderation of temperature extremes – creating a high level of thermal comfort without reliance on mechanical systems.

Innovative security mitigation strategies were used throughout relying not only on technological solutions but also on analogue and social strategies. Entrances and exits are places in proximity to gathering spaces with direct visual connection so that community members can monitor safety. Security bollards on the street side of the building were avoided by the use of carefully placed landscape boulders integrated into the edge of the community garden.

Design for Discovery

Beyond full systems commissioning, all project constituents were incorporated into the design process from the earliest stages. This resulted in a strong feeling of ownership and personal and collective investment in the successful realization of an ambitious design.

Post occupancy surveys have been conducted regularly, adaptations made when needed, and each validates the success of the project further. Given the high level of flexibility that the project was designed for, some initial challenges for the best use of the spaces came to light in the early days of the building’s occupancy. These challenges require ongoing experience design and architectural involvement in facility programming. The adaptations made to the programming not only optimized use of the spaces, but given the unique nature of the indoor / outdoor flexibility, also resulted in unexpected and innovative programming that was well received by the community.

Read More →

Loyola Marymount University School of Film and Television – Merit

October 5, 2022| 2022 Design Award Recipient, 2022 Merit Award, Specialist|

2022 AIA CA DESIGN AWARDS

merit award

Loyola Marymount University School of Film and Television

Architect: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill

Project Location: Los Angeles, California

Photographer: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill

The School of Film and Television (SFTV) is a four-story jewel box-like building, hosting stop-motion and camera-directing studios, technical labs for post-production and animation, flexible all-purpose classrooms, office spaces, and an 80-seat theater. Clad in a perforated brise-soleil, the building makes the most of LA’s climate, offering shaded outdoor circulation and gathering spaces. The theater, clad in matte metallic panels, activates the ground level. Canary yellow furnishings accentuate the theater’s rooftop and courtyard gardens.

‘”Very compelling resolution on a tight budget. The façade treatment is subtle, elegant and inspires active engagement by the users.” – 2022 Design Awards Jury

Design for Integration

The SFTV is a campus focal point, that promotes environmental and human health with ample outdoor space, and active design. By placing all circulation and student lounge space on the exterior of the building, the design reduced the area requiring air distribution by 40%, ultimately yielding exceptionally low HVAC demand. In addition to the 9,500 square feet of passing space and cafe-style seating, the building boasts two areas that function as outdoor classrooms.

Design for Equitable Communities

LMU’s student community will benefit from the social spaces and theater. While LMU is a private campus, they frequently hold public and community events which the theater and pre-function courtyard was designed to accommodate.

Loyola Marymount University operates a private bus system to and from the adjacent communities to reduce dependence on personal vehicles.

Design for Ecosystems

In an effort to restore the regional ecosystem, native plantings were used throughout the landscaping. The project increased the number of trees on the site, planting more than removed during construction.

Outdoor classrooms and outdoor circulation encourage connection to the local ecosystem while minimizing the need for conditioned spaces. By placing 9,500 square feet of passing space and cafe-style seating outside, the design reduced the area requiring air distribution by 40%.

Design for Water

The SFTV Building is outfitted with a greywater drainage system that deposits into a pipe system that is connected to a campuswide greywater system that is under-development.

All plantings were low-water and drought tolerant. A drip irrigation system provides the minimum amount of water needed to feed the plantings on the terrace and surrounding grounds.

This project has a negligible hot water load, making a central service hot water system unnecessary.

Design for Economy

The dense Audio Visual teaching program with its typical high energy demand and cooling requirements, was offset by a sustainable building envelope, passive cooling strategies and optimized mechanical systems which yielded a very high performing, yet cost effective, building.

Design for Energy

The Energy Use Intensity is 21.9 kBtu/sf considering the total building area, considering only the conditioned area the EUI is 34.0 kBtu/sf. A modern variable refrigerant flow (VRF) system was selected for its zone-specific optimization benefits

The lighting strategy for the building reduced the Light Power Density (LPD) to .57 Watts per square foot. This is nearly half of the California T-24 allowable LPD. LPD reductions yielded a savings of ~18,000 kWh/yr against the ASHRAE Baseline.

Design for Well-being

Courtyard spaces and breezeways provide students with sustained access to the outdoors year-round while external circulation provides crucial access to daylight and natural ventilation. These outdoor spaces deliver options of how and where one can learn, teach and recharge. When needed, these spaces support pandemic safety compliance by offering open-air programmed space. In addition, these outdoor areas are prime examples of biophilic design that provide direct access to nature nearly year round.

Design for Resources

A structural embodied carbon LCA was conducted, and the result is 246 kg CO2/m2. The post-tensioned slab thickness tapers in the cantilevered portions of the building to reduce the amount of concrete used.

Material selections were made based on need and performance. The structural slab was utilized as the finish floor material in all circulation zones. A conscious effort was made to select materials that had an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) certification.

Design for Change

A basic tenant of the clients design brief was that the building must be adaptable to future uses. By analyzing the clients preferred teaching modules across all of their programs, a set of space modules were used to organize and stack the program. The classroom modules accommodate LMU’s typical class size for any department and are coupled with robust storage. Furniture selections are consistent and mobile; they can be quickly reconfigured, or relocated to other rooms or storage.

Design for Discovery

Extensive time spent on campus experiencing the culture and frequently meeting with the client group (faculty, staff and students) has proven to address many issues, quantitative and qualitative, above and beyond the given scope of the project. The end result is much more than an academic classroom building.The final project gives staff, faculty and students options of how they want to teach, learn and recharge. It has become a social hub for the university at large.

Read More →
↑