TCA Architects

Brooklyn Basin Parcel H

tcaeditor - May 15, 2025

In a challenging market, TCA was asked to re-envision this approved development as two projects instead of one- a lower density Phase 1 of townhouses, and a higher density future Phase 2 that could be either a podium or tower, depending on market conditions. TCA’s novel solution for the first phase was “stacked towns”, which allowed the developer to bring to market a unique for-sale product at a higher density in Phase I. Phase 2 includes higher density podium or tower options. In a neighborhood of monotonous 8 story rental buildings, the design sought to exploit the differences with these prototypes. The 5 story- townhome project expresses the inherent verticality of the townhomes via a façade with deep incisions. The Phase 2 options anchor the prominent frontage on Clinton Basin with a singular large-scale façade expression for the podium, or a dramatic “blade of glass” that sits on an undulating base for the tower option.

High-MASS

tcaeditor - Oct 18, 2023

Advancements in engineering and changes to building codes are creating new opportunities and applications for Mass Timber buildings. High-MASS (Materiality, Applicability, Sustainability, Scalability) is a Mass Timber building that was originally envisioned as a high-rise multifamily project using traditional concrete slab construction. The re-envisioned design will utilize the heavy timber option in Type IV-B, allowing up to 12 stories of Mass Timber over 1 level of Type I-A concrete at the ground level. The design accentuates the beauty of wood by allowing it to be exposed. Heavy Timber columns, beams and a portion of the ceilings are exposed, giving us a rich, warm aesthetic finish. The exterior expresses the aesthetic through transparent window wall in front of a grid of wood columns, with wood composite veneer panels over the remainder of the facade. The most efficient means to provide lateral resistance for the project is with concrete shear walls located in the vertical core. The lighter Mass Timber building in the Bay Area has many benefits including, but not limited to, quicker erection time with less labor, materials which sequester carbon, health and biophilic benefits for the residents and a nearly Net Zero building. High-MASS is the perfect blend of nature and science.

MODERA RINCON HILL

TCA Architect - Feb 15, 2023

Modera Rincon Hill is a 14-story, 180 unit apartment community that sits at a key hilltop intersection in the Rincon Hill neighborhood of San Francisco. The project, along with the Sailors’ Union of the Pacific building across First Street, bookends a major departure gateway from San Francisco to the Bay Bridge. Like the Sailors’ Union, the building massing is composed of an assemblage of discrete masses. The stepped 5 to 7 story podium is clad in precast concrete, again in acknowledgement of the Sailors’ Union. It employs projecting bay windows, a cornice, and deeply inset openings. The light and glassy 14 story tower faces First Street, a section of it extending to ground and incorporating the main entry. The Lansing Street frontage faces the narrow pedestrian/auto “shared street,” with a smaller scale residential focus employing townhouse- style stoops in a manner sympathetic to traditional San Francisco residential architecture.

4TH & HILL

tcaeditor - Jan 28, 2023

A 31-story apartment tower located at the intersection of 4th and Hill in downtown Los Angeles. There are four districts that converge at the site: Bunker Hill, the Financial District, the Jewelry District, and the Historic Core District. The project is directly adjacent to the entrance to one of DTLA’s main transportation arteries Pershing Square Metro Station, one of the busiest metro stations in the area. Containing 428 luxury apartment homes, the tower is envisioned to be a beacon for the community. Through design and programming, the base of the building is proposed to not only ground the beaconing tower, but also to activate the currently lackluster Metro station corner. Orientation of the building captures views of the LA City Hall to the Northeast, Angels Flight to the West, the Historic Broadway strip to the South, and Pershing Square to the Southwest. 4th & Hill is designed to achieve LEED Gold-certification.

1335 GRAND

tcaeditor - Oct 03, 2020

1335 Grand Avenue is a 28-story luxury apartment tower along Grand Avenue in downtown Los Angeles. The high-rise will contain 297 residential apartments, 6,200 SF of retail, 16,000 SF of amenities and will be topped by an expansive sky deck overlooking the downtown skyline. Five levels of above grade parking wrap around the tower and support an open-air pool deck that is located six stories above the surrounding streets. This 1.25 acre site is in the emerging South Park district of downtown Los Angeles.

Modera Little Italy

tcaeditor - Oct 01, 2020

The project is an ideal gateway to downtown San Diego from the north side of town. San Diego’s casual coastal lifestyle inspired the design as it references the dynamic waves of the ocean. Angled walls create multiple corner conditions and vantage points that direct views towards the waterfront. The result is a unique design that is both iconic and practical. The program calls for a 21-story tower comprising of 182 residential units and 12,000 sf of retail. Parking will be above and below grade through shared access with the existing county garage. Leasing is located on grade with the residential amenities located on the tower’s podium and sky deck.

800 Western

tcaeditor - Oct 09, 2017

This project is designed as a modern abstraction of Art Deco and Streamline Moderne in response to the existing historical Art Deco building on-site. It is a contrast between today and the modern times of the 1920s. The existing building is regular in shape, formulaic in its façade rhythm of pilasters and decorative cornice. The new retail building façade meanders from floor to floor and the shopfront glazing layout varies in width and transparency in relationship. This design characteristic is drawn across to the building where retail uses continue the street wall. The building design reflects today’s notion of evoking motion with subtle reference to the past automobile culture. Reinforcing this theme is the assortment of material and transparency with the enhanced panels shift in various directions. The dynamic façade of the retail continues to the most prominent corner on the site by engaging the tower to the highest reaches of the building that is visibly celebrated with views of Los Angeles.

The Grand

tcaeditor - Jun 15, 2017

On a prime sloping parcel at the edge of Downtown Los Angeles, across the street from the iconic School of Visual and Performing Arts and just southwest of Chinatown, this proposed new 299-unit, mixed- use, multifamily tower will anchor the north end of Grand Avenue with a dynamic and iconic, yet efficiently-designed structure that breaks the standard mold of fortress-like block housing and establishes in its place a progressive template of urban porosity, openness to views, and generous outdoor space, while still maximizing unit count and advancing the argument for verticality and density in Los Angeles. The roof of the parking forms a plinth that incorporates a generously- sized, south-facing swimming pool for residents, in addition to open green and plaza spaces that can be developed to house a playground and other outdoor amenities.

2222 FIGUEROA

tcaeditor - Mar 02, 2017

Located between Downtown Los Angeles and the USC campus, the 2.3-acre site is flanked by the Expo Line to the east and the MyFigueroa Streetscape Improvement project to the west. The property is bounded by Figueroa, Flower, 22nd and 23rd Streets and is a collection of rental and for-sale housing above 20,000 square feet of pedestrian-oriented commercial space facing Figueroa and the adjacent light rail station. The project includes 1,063 units, 645 condominiums, and 5% low income housing. Amenities include pool, bicycle accommodations, a beach volleyball court and multiple fitness centers.

MERCURY

TCA Architect - Nov 15, 2016

Constructed in 1963, the former headquarters of the Getty Oil Company was originally designed by renowned architect Claud Beelman and is considered one of the city’s finest expressions of mid-century modern architecture. In 2007, TCA converted Mercury from office space into 238 condominiums with 10 distinctive floor plans ranging from 740 to 1,500 square feet. The major design challenge was the unusual dimension of the units (18’ wide by 52’ deep). The solution was to place the bathrooms and walk-in closets) to the deepest portion of the unit and reserve the natural light for the open common areas. In the deepest units, the entry door was embedded nearly midway into the dwelling, which helped mitigate the perceived depth of the space. The rooftop was transformed into an urban oasis with the addition of a pool, indoor-outdoor fitness facility, and expansive lawn for residents to enjoy 360 degree views of Los Angeles. Across the street, the Metro Red Line subway station connects to Pasadena, Long Beach, Hollywood, Universal City, and many downtown destinations including Staples Center, Walt Disney Concert Hall and world-class restaurants.