TCA Architects

NALIKO

tcaeditor - Sep 23, 2025

Nāliko is an innovative development that unites contemporary architecture with traditional Hawaiian design. As the first wrap type of its size on O‘ahu, the project reflects a thoughtful integration of building and environment. Anchored along a community walking path, the design opens outward to create an active pedestrian experience. Landscaping and programmed activities flow seamlessly from the path into the site, connecting with interior amenity spaces. Efficient double-loaded corridors frame both public and private courtyards, fostering connection and retreat. The architecture celebrates Hawaiian vernacular traditions while embracing modern construction techniques. TCA’s Interiors Studio is leading the interior design for the project, ensuring a cohesive vision inside and out.

PARK ON FIRST

tcaeditor - Sep 21, 2025

Park on First sits at the eastern entry to Santa Ana and is adjacent to Prentice Park and the Santa Ana Zoo. TCA planted the “seeds” for structural and environment improvements that would foster the future development of this challenged neighborhood… and lead to a district wide revitalization. The design concept resides between nature and the built environment so the public and residents can participate in the special nature of Prentice Park and adjacent zoo. The large central courtyard is strategically positioned between residential buildings to reinforce a “living in the park” environment while providing a publicly accessible and porous connection for future developments. The courtyard is activated with various amenities and landscaped in alignment with the zoo’s South African fauna. Each building facade uniquely responds to its context.

VOX AT CUMULUS

TCA Architect - Jan 14, 2025

Located directly adjacent to the La Cienega/Jefferson Expo Line, VOX at Cumulus is a comprehensive residential and commercial mixed-use project that embodies all the defining characteristics of a Transit-Oriented Development (TOD). The site plan and architecture respond directly to the urban scale, fabric, and culture of its surroundings. The design is inspired by the notions of progress, change, and motion: the La Cienega frontage undulates back and forth to create a dynamic façade and to help break up the mass. VOX is a 7-story type III podium building, with access to 160,000 SF of indoor and outdoor amenities. The heart of the project features a publicly accessible 1-acre park, the Zocalo, and is flanked by 100k SF of commercial space, anchored by a new Whole Foods Market. In addition to providing a space for community events, such as movie nights and hosting food trucks, the Zocalo also serves to capture storm water and reduce the heat island effect. Those elements go hand-in-hand with more than 1,700 solar panels built into the complex, which helped the property achieve GreenPoint Rated Platinum certification. The master plan of the 11.4 Acre Cumulus District is guided by the principles of connectivity and placemaking.

ARQ at Cumulus (high-rise on-site) designed by SCB.

CARMEL BUNDY

tcaeditor - Jan 08, 2025

Carmel Bundy offers 621 new units conveniently located next to the Expo/Bundy station. The light rail train line will connect the project to the beach at Santa Monica pier as well as downtown LA. The development spans across 3 blocks in the newly defined Exposition Corridor Transit Neighborhood Plan and is part of the Transit Oriented Communities Incentive Program, which reserves 11% of the units for extremely low-income tenants. The development is a much-needed addition to a neighborhood with a strong demand for housing and aims to increase the density near transit for an easier commute. The project consists of 3, 8-story buildings with large massing step-backs on the upper floors that offer breathtaking views of the ocean and downtown. The curved element at the corner of Bundy Dr. and Expo Blvd. welcomes commuters from the station, directing them towards Bundy Drive where the same material is used to frame the glass facades that form the main entrances of all the buildings. The ground levels are designed to be pedestrian-friendly and engaging, with lobbies, double-height amenity spaces, and private residential stoops. The exterior design features vertical articulation, which breaks down the scale of the buildings into recognizable residential modules and provides further opportunities for private residential outdoor spaces.

Cabrillo College Housing Concept

tcaeditor - Dec 21, 2024

Located on the community college’s campus, the envisioned affordable student housing community provides a live-learn environment for families and students at Cabrillo and UC Santa Cruz. The design is driven by creating a place where students can be proud to live. An iconic jewel building for childcare, landmarks the community and establishes neighborhood identity. The grand promenade is a residential version of the central spine on campus that says, “welcome home.” Along the promenade and in building courtyards are opportunities for outdoor socialization and study. Facing the ocean view and visible from the freeway, the 4-story facades feature indoor sky lounges as special architectural elements that offer a branding opportunity for Cabrillo. The facilities feature an array of amenities both shared and tailored to the family and student populations. There are common study areas, a food pantry, and counseling offices; children play areas, game room, and fitness room; and sky lounges, meditation room, and laundry facilities. The design promotes pedestrian connectivity to the campus, encouraging healthy living and community engagement.

5420 Sunset

tcaeditor - Dec 20, 2024

5420 Sunset is a six-story mixed-use 735-unit apartment building that will also house 95,000 SF of ground level retail. The retail level will be home to an up-scale national brand grocer offering food service and on-site dining. A new residential community will sit just above street level within lushly landscaped courts surrounding a resort style pool that looks out to the Hollywood hills, Griffin Observatory, and the Hollywood Sign. The buildings’ exterior design language reflects a piece of Hollywood’s history by evoking a modern interpretation of Art Deco and Streamline Moderne, with an emphasis on horizontality, simple forms, geometric patterns, and an earthy palette of material finishes.

6TH STREET PLACE

tcaeditor - Dec 20, 2024

6th Street Place addresses the widespread homeless population of downtown Los Angeles. 6th Street Place uses modular construction, and services will be provided by The People Concern, a case management and advocacy organization with deep ties to the Skid Row community. The concept of community is at the core of the project’s design. Each pre-fabricated module is articulated individually on the façade, giving identity to the resident within it. Together, the modules form a cohesive building, just as a collection of individuals make a complete community. Not only does 6th Street Place provide much needed housing, but a strong sense of community through art and architecture. Built in a factory and assembled on site, modular design is environmentally friendly by reducing construction waste and impacts to the community. The project achieved LEED Gold certification.

ORCHARD PARK STUDENT HOUSING

tcaeditor - Dec 10, 2024

Orchard Park marries the rigor of the Prescient system with the playful, organic nature of a field of trees. The 19-acre site at UC Davis is a community of 11 graduate and family residential buildings and 2 amenity buildings. TCA designed the buildings to incorporate Prescient, a panelized light-gauge metal framing structural system. With an on-site assembly process, Prescient enabled the entire project to be built faster and with fewer costly on-site modifications. The TCA team embraced the efficiency of only 3 building types and oriented the buildings to introduce variety as they are nestled among the Heritage trees sprinkled throughout the site. The two unique and playful community buildings activate the site’s open space while blurring the line between indoor and outdoor space. The family community building, The Treehouse, features a CLT roof, with an exposed wood ceiling. This mass timber feature combined with interior design by TCA’s Interiors Studio, embraces the organic themes of the community and creates a strong connection to nature. Orchard Park’s residential buildings achieve LEED Platinum certification.

SEASIDE

tcaeditor - Dec 06, 2024

The Seaside Apartments renovation modernizes an existing apartment community by upgrading amenity spaces and enhancing the overall resident experience. The improvements were designed to support a higher quality of life and promote a balanced, connected community. Key enhancements included the expansion of the leasing office to incorporate a new fitness center, the construction of a new clubhouse to serve as a social hub, and the enlargement of an existing fitness building. Additionally, a residential building was removed to create a pocket park, offering new outdoor space for resident enjoyment. All upgrades were thoughtfully integrated within the residential setting, contributing to a more vibrant and attractive living environment.

PALOMA AT MAINPLACE

tcaeditor - Nov 25, 2024

Paloma at MainPlace is part of the first phase in what will be the transformation of MainPlace Mall to meet the demands of current and future market trends by weaving housing, businesses, and amenities into the fabric of the existing mall environment. The design of the 310 unit wrap building responds to the guiding principles, placemaking, and urban design strategies of the MainPlace Specific Plan with a focus on the arrival experience to brand an iconic destination, preserving an urban street that promotes a diversity of uses, playful treatment along MainPlace Drive that enhances the cultural experience and expression of Santa Ana, and the spaces in between which create a unique lifestyle experience.