TCA Architects

LAKEMONT ORCHARD

tcaeditor - Dec 20, 2023

Nestled in between Cougar Mountain and Lake Sammamish, Lakemont Orchard represents a modern expression of a lakeside cabin. Inspired by its natural surroundings, Lakemont Orchard offers a warm, inviting environment for residents to call home. Light woods mixed with plaid textures and pops of color create a sense of peaceful charm.

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

Mass Timber Pavilion

tcaeditor - Sep 12, 2023

TCA renovated a single-story building of 11,500 SF to accommodate our Orange County team of 55 employees. Design features include a custom Mass Timber Pavilion which encompasses the large main conference room and extends out over the adjacent kitchen area. Mass timber has several health benefits, including:

Improved indoor air quality: Mass timber has natural moisture-regulating properties, which can help to improve indoor air quality. Unlike traditional building materials, mass timber does not off-gas harmful chemicals into the air, making it a healthier option for occupants.

Biophilic design: Mass timber buildings can incorporate biophilic design, which is the concept of connecting people with nature through design. Biophilic design has been shown to reduce stress and improve overall health and well-being.

Acoustic properties: Mass timber has excellent acoustic properties, which can help to reduce noise levels in buildings. This can improve the overall comfort and well-being of occupants.

Fire safety: Mass timber is highly fire-resistant due to its thick, solid composition. It also has a natural charring effect, which helps to protect the timber from fire damage. This makes mass timber buildings safer for occupants in the event of a fire.

Overall, mass timber has several health benefits that make it an attractive option for sustainable and healthy building construction, especially in office environments.

WAIKIKI BOUTIQUE HOTEL INTERIORS

tcaeditor - Sep 09, 2023

In this renovation concept for a casual 3 star hotel, a contemporary, yet timeless design blends a soulful Hawaii with modern notes; elevating the guest to a new and sophisticated 4 star experience.

The Promenade at Rio Vista

tcaeditor - Jun 23, 2023

Utilizing the same documentation standards for new construction helped complete plan check in one re-submittal. Built in 2002, this sprawling mixed-use complex located in Mission Valley, CA needed a comprehensive overhaul to the common and leasing areas. The renovation included updates to leasing, clubhouse, club room and fitness. In addition, TCA converted an empty retail shell into a new pet spa amenity. TCA worked closely with the ownership team to provide general code review, project documentation, consultant team coordination, agency processing and services during construction.

Interiors by Mannigan Design

W HOTEL RESTROOM RENOVATION

tcaeditor - Dec 01, 2022

TCA converted the former single-sex women’s toilet room to serve all genders in San Francisco, CA. Stalls are all concealed behind a smooth black millwork wall made of a highly durable P-Lam, specifically selected to mimic a lacquered wood finished and to match the Lobby Bar paneling. Inside, each stall is flush-framed with sound-proof 8 foot high doors. Two-inch square LED down-lights decorate the ceiling and a contemporary concrete ramp-type sink lines an adjacent wall.

Marriott LAX

tcaeditor - Sep 25, 2020

The renovation of the Marriott LAX in Los Angeles, includes the complete renovation of 1,004 guestrooms and suites, a new M Club Lounge located at the top floor of the 18 story tower with expansive views of the airport, and the full renovation of the public areas and restaurants at the lobby level. The M Club will feature communal tables with full connectivity. The bar will serve locally inspired beer and wine offerings. The lobby and registration area will accommodate the large number of transient guests with spacious social gathering areas open to a new sports bar – Champions Bar & Grill. The three-meal Latitude restaurant and JW Steakhouse will also be updated and refreshed. Estimated construction cost of $30 million with a projected completion date of mid-2017.

METRO 417

TCA Architect - Apr 15, 2020

This historic building is located in the heart of downtown and once served as a station for Los Angeles’ fabled Red Car trolleys. Constructed in 1925, this building has been designated a historic-cultural monument. It’s one of the largest historic adaptive reuse projects in LA County history and many elements of the building were salvaged for architectural appointments. In addition to respecting the building’s historical significance, this effort of preservation was intended to give the spaces more character and reflect the building’s past. Remodeling presented many design and structural challenges. Since the structural elements couldn’t be changed, they had to be worked into the design. The building’s main lobby and public areas are largely intact and were refurbished using the existing mosaic tiles and marble columns as design inspiration. These distinctive features represent the height of the 1920s style and craftsmanship. Amenities included a rooftop garden, fitness center, movie screening room and an additional parking structure for residents’ convenience.

1100 WILSHIRE

TCA Architect - Oct 10, 2016

The 22-story triangular spire in Los Angeles sat virtually vacant for nearly 20 years before a trio of developers bought it in 2004. Previously comprised of office suites, TCA converted the building into 228 high-end condominiums totaling 260,000 square feet of residential living space. Floor plans range from 788 to 3,466 square feet of one and two bedroom floor plans or two-story loft-style penthouses. The major challenge was rerouting the plumbing systems as the entire 37 stories of the building needed to be re-cored to accommodate each unit.

SAN JOSE TRIBUTE

TCA Architect - Jan 07, 2016

In the city of San Jose a new 280 key hotel tower is planned for the property immediately adjacent to the former Montgomery Hotel, now operating as a Four Points by Sheraton hotel – a Starwood brand. The Montgomery, built in 1911, in the Italianate Commercial style, is on the National Register of Historic Places. The designers were challenged to integrate the hotel functions with the new tower while preserving and enhancing the historic value of the existing building. The new tower will rise adjacent to the historic building, defining a tall slender atrium space, and then cantilever out over the historic structure beginning on the 7th level. The new hotel is expressed in a modern style with floor to ceiling curtainwall glazing. A rooftop pool terrace, events pavilion and fitness club compliments the hotel program.