TCA Architects

The Quarry

tcaeditor - Jun 10, 2023

A master planning concept vision revitalizes an expansive quarry into a dynamic waterfront community, centered around the creation of a marina. The design involves ingeniously flooding the quarry with bay water, facilitated by the construction of connecting canals, thereby transforming it into a deep-water harbor. This visionary endeavor paves the way for a diverse array of residential, commercial, and hospitality developments, including single-family homes, apartments, retail establishments, and hotels, promising to invigorate the surrounding landscape.

The unique topography of the site offers sweeping vistas and lends itself to a variety of architectural styles, adding to the allure of the envisioned community. Noteworthy features such as existing structures, including iconic smokestacks, are seamlessly integrated into the master plan, contributing a sense of history and character to the proposed development.

WILSHIRE LA BREA

TCA Architect - Jun 05, 2023

Bounded by busy streets, Wilshire La Brea is the corner to bus stops in both directions and it will be adjacent to a future subway stop. It is bordered by smaller scale residential properties on two sides and book-ended by historic Los Angeles structures. To respond to the rich context of the site and the opportunity to create a truly urban transit-oriented community, the sidewalk will be widened along Wilshire Boulevard providing space for exterior dining and ample pedestrian passing. The southern tower has six levels of residences and the northern tower has thirteen. Both towers are arranged in a “wing” configuration, which creates building “fingers” that surround open-ended courtyards. The courtyards open to the east taking advantage of city skyline views and providing a more articulated building face to the adjacent residential neighborhood. The fingers also “step” down toward the east, dropping several stories from the high point to present a more modestly scaled façade facing the adjacent residential neighborhood. Wilshire La Brea is a LEED Silver-certified project.

5550 WILSHIRE

TCA Architect - Jun 03, 2023

5550 Wilshire transformed an under-utilized city block in Los Angeles while reinforcing the historic character of the neighborhood. Art Deco/Moderne exterior design details connect the building to its surroundings while thoroughly modern units and amenities offer residents a vibrant contemporary lifestyle. Some unusual constraints or opportunities that the project presented, for example: Mixed-use activity retail along Wilshire required separate parking and entry sequences into the building. Design imagery that acknowledges historic district while still being a contemporary building. Variety of unit designs to capture the site’s potential, especially articulating the corners on Wilshire. Switching to townhome plans for the upper two floors allowed for a stepped configuration characteristic of Art Deco façade with overall horizontal massing articulated with vertical modules.

Rancho Los Amigos

tcaeditor - May 30, 2023

Rancho Los Amigos, situated in Downey, encompasses 62 acres of land with a rich history deeply rooted in the medical industry. Originally established as “The County Poor Farm,” its primary aim was to offer medical care and housing for the impoverished. Over time, the property underwent various transitions within the medical sector, eventually serving as a campus for rehabilitation and psychiatric services. However, with the advent of advanced medical facilities established by private corporations, Rancho Los Amigos fell into disuse. Many buildings have since been demolished, while some of the century-old structures have been recognized as historic landmarks.

TCA was entrusted with the task of repurposing the land, with a focus on incorporating residential and sports/physical fitness elements. Along the main boulevard adjacent to the project site, plans include the construction of a basketball arena intended to host an NBA G League team and other events. Additionally, a sports facility and soccer field will be developed around a central town center, leading to a connecting ribbon park. Approximately 1400 units of rental residential properties will also be integrated into the plan. Pocket parks will enhance the pedestrian experience along designated streets, which will further link to a future train station located on the southwestern corner of the site. Through thoughtful design considerations, the project aims to achieve a cohesive layout that seamlessly incorporates the historic structures into the overall vision.

Picerne Lomita

tcaeditor - May 25, 2023

Picerne Lomita was the first large development to be approved in a city that has not seen development in years. It will bring the first luxury apartments to the City of Lomita and serve the growing population that wants to live and work in the South Bay area. Situated on a major intersection, the project had to contend with a corner gas station and limited access. The project is designed to look at the “long views” of the hills beyond the gas station. The enhanced materials were placed on the project to bring visual attention to the top levels and major corners of the project, again drawing your eyes away from the existing context. The south facing main courtyard is designed with resort style pool and spa, with an adjacent clubroom and fitness amenity space. A business center and golf simulator are also available to the residents. The roof top deck looks down at the courtyard as well as the views beyond.

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.

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.

DOMAIN SAN DIEGO

TCA Architect - Sep 20, 2020

Domain San Diego is an ultra-modern, high-density apartment community designed to meet the needs of the young professionals and students of San Diego’s growing Millennial population. The luxury for-lease community offers 379 apartment residences in two separate, four-story buildings over two levels of basement garage offering 750 secured parking spaces. As a critical design element targeting the project’s young professional demographic, the property features a 5,500-square-foot recreation/leasing building that offers an expansive pool area with cabanas, a spa, barbeque pits, waterfall and trellises that take advantage of the area’s temperate weather, creating lush landscape. The two-story clubhouse also features a fitness center and makes use of reclaimed teak flooring throughout and a glass wall with outdoor decks overlooking the pool scene. With more than 12 floor plans to choose from, ranging from studio to two bedroom residences, Domain’s interior’s reflect a refined modern influence that is the preference of today’s young professionals, offering: private patios and balconies; modern, stainless steel appliances; granite counter tops; large and luxurious oval tubs; and floor to ceiling windows in select units.

Westgate

TCA Architect - Sep 15, 2020

Westgate is an 11.7 acre mixed-use TOD, and an urban-infill development within walking distance of Old Pasadena’s historic downtown including Pasadena’s Metro Gold Line Del Mar Station and Central Park. Westgate is LEED Silver Certified under the City of Pasadena’s Green Building Ordinance and is the first smoke-free community in Los Angeles County. The entire master plan includes 820 residences, 15,000 square feet of retail, two public parks, and two public plazas, with an overall density of 70 dwelling units per acre. The planning and entitlement process began in 2004 with numerous sessions working with City planners and engineers. Public design charettes with community members enabled residents and the local business community also to provide input and concerns. The project delivers on the City’s specific plan which calls for the site to provide an “eclectic urban village,” deliver housing and mixed use as a Smart Growth development and to redevelop a key downtown brown field site previously struggling with underuse.

THE VILLAS AT BRIO

TCA Architect - Sep 10, 2020

The Villas at Brio is a boutique apartment community located on a quiet residential street in Glendale, California that straddles the boundary of an adjacent industrial zone in this particular neighborhood. The project is comprised of 14, three story townhomes that average approximately 1,400 square feet on and elevated podium over a one story parking structure. Each unit is comprised of two bedrooms on the first and third floors with an open ‘living’ floor between on the second level and interconnected by open tread, cable rail stairs. The courtyard provides private access to each unit through front ‘porches’ which also serve as outdoor space and intended to promote social interaction among neighbors of this small community. Additional private outdoor space is provided by a balcony on the third floor off the master suite. Metal shingle siding, exposed steel channels, three story glass enclosed stairs and industrial aluminum windows play off the industrial character of the location and maximize light within each home. The wood fencing, refined landscaping and inviting interior pallet further enhance this unique contemporary community in this transitional corner of Glendale.