TCA Architects

HANOVER DIRIDON

tcaeditor - Sep 15, 2023

Hanover Diridon at 717 West Julian sits on the edge of two worlds in San Jose- a lower density largely residential neighborhood of bungalows and apartment buildings, and the planned “Innovation District” as envisioned as part of the Diridon Station Plan in San Jose. The Innovation District includes planned housing as well as a large office presence from some of Silicon Valley’s largest employers. The building design expresses this nexus in three parts- a larger scaled gesture to the future district, a reduced scale rhythm to the residential district, and a dramatic corner gesture and plaza where the two meet.

LA PLACITA CINCO

tcaeditor - Sep 15, 2023

La Placita Cinco repurposes the prototypical auto-oriented strip mall into a neighborhood-serving, inclusive community consisting of family-oriented affordable homes, outdoor amenities, and reinvigorated commercial center. The site, formerly called Tiny Time Plaza is a 2.25-acre commercial property situated between a residential neighborhood to the north and east, and industrial and commercial uses to the south and west. The 50 year old retail center consists of 2 single-story commercial buildings and a former gas station. The asphalt surface area encompassed over two thirds of the property with ill defined edges that blended into the pedestrian walkways in front of the building storefronts and adjacent public sidewalks. “La Placita Cinco” replaces the former gas station and portion of the parking lot, encompassing a third of the overall property with a 3-4 story mixed-use building consisting of 50 two-, three-, and four-bedroom apartment homes with ground floor community space.

The massing of the building provides a strong urban edge along the Fifth Street commercial corridor, while responding to the Hawley Street residential connector by opening its courtyard and stepping down the building height. The two commercial buildings and all their tenants remained, and were integrated into a reimagined site plan that is anchored by the three buildings. The commercial buildings were reinvigorated by the complete transformation of the building facades with new architecture, signage, and enhanced pedestrian [ADA] access. The remaining surface parking was redesigned to support active use. Wide, landscaped plazas were added along the retail facades, allowing the businesses to extend their operations outdoors, including outdoor dining, and to support pop-up programming such as farmer’s markets and special events. Between the two retail buildings, a mini park was added to accommodate a variety of uses, from fitness programs and concerts, to a welcoming place to meet a friend or let children play while running errands.

Mercy House is providing supportive services for residents and neighbors. The ground floor space of the housing was designed to be available as a resource for community nonprofit organizations to host events. There are spaces that could be used for small meetings (job interviews, counseling, etc.) and larger ones such as neighborhood association meetings, art classes, training sessions, etc.

The project leveraged traditional and innovative funding sources that are unique to rehabilitating a blighted commercial property with affordable housing. In its final form La Placita Cinco is supported through a 9% tax credit award, and cooperative lender and investor partners who worked diligently to find solutions that supported both the new construction of affordable residential units with the plaza renovations. Making everything possible was the support from the City of Santa Ana, who approved not only all the necessary entitlements, but also $6 million in subordinated funding to ensure the financial feasibility of the project.

Design Architect: City Fabrick

THE GARRISON

tcaeditor - Sep 10, 2023

The Garrison is a 5-story, 94 unit multi-family residential project on West Katella Avenue in Orange, California. The 1.1 acre site is located directly east of the 57 freeway and the Santa Ana river, and is proximate to the Angel Stadium, the Honda Center, and ARTIC. The site sits within the Stadium Promenade center and is walking distance to entertainment, dining, and bike trails. The design concept is all about capturing and framing “long” views – looking out and over the immediate industrial and commercial context toward the exciting activity of the surrounding area. Amenities like the 7,500 SF courtyard and the intimate rooftop deck are placed strategically to take advantage of these views, so that residents can enjoy spectacles such as the Disneyland fireworks from the comfort of their own home. The project’s architectural expression is inspired by boutique hotels, which celebrate individuality and contrast the old with the new and the gritty with the glamorous. The design sets itself apart from existing developments in the area by focusing on material choice, combining sophisticated boutique-inspired gestures with a rustic industrial palette. This creates an eclectic and unique juxtaposition within the promenade that will draw vibrancy and activity.

ONE PASEO

tcaeditor - Sep 08, 2023

Located in the Del Mar Heights community of San Diego, One Paseo is a mixed-use project incorporating residential, retail and office space. The residential component (designed by TCA) provides the critical mass needed to sustain 24/7 activity by locating housing in direct proximity to shopping and working environments. Horizontal proximity integrates these essential uses supporting a sustainable, pedestrian friendly and livable environment. Ultimately, the intent is to energize the community with a variety of demographics by providing a choice in housing types that in turn creates a vibrant social fabric. The housing type is 4 and 5 stories of housing above ground-floor amenities.

The retail component (designed by Ware Malcomb) consists of 12 single-story restaurant and high-end retail buildings totaling approximately 96,000 square feet. The craftsman-style buildings feature primarily wood frame construction, intricate details and various finish materials to create a community-oriented environment. The neutral color palette for the buildings allows the merchandise and tenants to be the focal point. Two office buildings (designed by Gensler) totaling over 280,000 SF round out the site and create the perfect Live, Work, Play environment.

Wallace on Sunset

tcaeditor - Sep 06, 2023

Wallace on Sunset is a 7-story, 200 unit mixed-use project containing 4,700 SF of ground floor retail in Los Angeles, CA. In response to its context, which dramatically varies on all four sides of the site, the project uses simple rectangular masses. These masses are broken up with undulations and pops of color on the facade. Balcony railings consist of aluminum and glass on the outward facing facades to preserve views and minimal metal rails at the courtyards. The sweeping frame around the fitness center’s glass volume along with the solid canopies above the balconies is sheathed with pre-finished metal panels. Wallace on Sunset is a LEED Gold-certified project.

Concept/Entitlement by HED Architects.

MERRIWEATHER

TCA Architect - Sep 04, 2023

The master planning evolved around the creation of the shared, linear park. The park’s central location provides both orientation and a shared sense of place for all the adjacent buildings in Columbia, Maryland. The park is then linked to Merriweather Drive at both its east and west ends by the primary public roads which lead into the district. These tree-lined roads are designed as outlined in the Design Guidelines to be animated with retail shops and restaurants, and have generous sidewalks promoting pedestrian activity. The project embraces the naturally distinctive context of the Merriweather district neighborhood and is a truly unique collection of residential, retail, office and entertainment space located within a surrounding forest. The buildings draw whimsical design inspiration from local forest inhibitors the “fox” and the “owl.” Marlow (the fox) a visually prominent beacon for the community and is expressive, bold and vibrant. Juniper (the owl) is quiet, calming and serves as a connector to the adjacent outside public symphony. While both buildings are intricately connected to nature, they purposefully juxtapose each other, contributing to a dynamic living environment.

Merriweather fly through video: https://vimeo.com/368404510

5001 73rd Street

tcaeditor - Aug 07, 2023

5001 73rd Street is an affordable project for low-income families and individuals with annual incomes up to 60% of the San Diego County median income, with one-fourth of the apartments set aside as permanent supportive housing for homeless families and individuals. The site provides an opportunity to serve as an anchor for the neighborhood, providing a buffer between a busy street, car dealership, and single-family neighborhood. The design draws inspiration from the California Coastal Modern architectural style, maintaining simple lines and refined details while blending with the existing single-family neighborhood. The building articulation and material choice follows the Central Urbanized Planned District’s design guidelines for Contemporary Style for multifamily developments. Planned amenities include a ground floor community room, office space for case management, 2 elevated courtyards, a playground, a computer lab, electric vehicle chargers, an area for bicycle storage and repairs, a laundry room, and an outdoor tot lot. Designed to be sustainable, the building would be all-electric with on-site solar panels, heat-pump water heaters and drought- tolerant landscaping.

ADDISON

TCA Architect - Jul 21, 2023

Addison is a seven-story, 107 unit apartment project in the Arts District of downtown Berkeley, California. Drawing upon the property’s location in the heart of the Arts District of Berkeley, CA, the building features a ‘Poetry Garage Door’, a collaboration between a local poet and artisan, that pays homage to the celebrated “Berkeley Poetry Walk” one block east on Addison Street. The ‘Poetry Garage Door’ is crafted from laser-cut, backlit, metal letters that completely fill the entryway with the poet’s verses. The site is within walking distance of UC Berkeley and Berkeley City College, BART, shops, restaurants, bars, and the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive. The project is the first double podium, “5 over 2” project in Berkeley. Addison’s street frontage is made active by resident amenities, highly visible from the sidewalk and framed by storefront scaled openings. The roof deck and upper residential levels have spectacular views of San Francisco Bay. Unique features of Addison’s sustainable design include a panelized rain screen and rainwater cistern that provides water to the dog wash; and a puzzle lift auto park system that can more densely accommodate up to 68 vehicles.

ANTON LADERA

TCA Architect - Jul 18, 2023

Anton Ladera responds to the growing population of the Bay Area tech cities in Mountain View, CA. The community contains 144 apartment units in four residential levels over two below-grade levels of garage. The podium style building is oriented around two courtyards; which open onto a heavily amenitized ground floor including the leasing office, club room, fitness center, bicycle repair, lounge. Tenants also enjoy access to two-podium courtyards, pool/spas, BBQs, private resident patios, a dog park, game lawns and roof deck.