TCA Architects

Tustin Legacy Master Plan

tcaeditor - Sep 06, 2023

Naval Air Station Santa Ana, established in 1942 and known as the “Lighter Than Airbase,” is renowned for its two iconic blimp hangars in Southern California. Although the base closed in the early 90s, its architectural significance endured, influencing the development of Orange County’s central landscape. Tragically, one of the hangars was lost to fire, but the surviving hangar continues to be a prominent feature in the master plan developed over the past thirty years.

Next to the established entertainment district lies a tract of undeveloped land. Originally intended for a 6-acre apartment project, the plans evolved to encompass over 50 acres of mixed-use housing typologies. Numerous visioning initiatives were undertaken to enhance circulation, create a sense of place, and develop an iconic design that integrates with the existing context. The current and proposed road framework and park system present both opportunities and challenges. Scenarios and massing studies focused on transforming the automobile-centric design into a pedestrian-friendly environment that complements the proposed park system.

The final master plan introduces up to 3,000 units in various product typologies and massing scenarios. The mix of product types, placement of community-serving retail, parks, and pedestrian connectivity establish a vibrant center for the Tustin Legacy Master Plan.

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

THE ASHER

tcaeditor - Sep 01, 2023

The Asher is comprised of two residential buildings on a 12.6 acre site, divided by a Linear Green which serves as a publicly-accessible, park like space in the city of Fremont. The Linear Green joins with the East Greenway, which is a pedestrian link between Litchfield and Walnut Ave; and fosters a safe connection for the neighborhood. The design allows the dwellings to front existing neighborhood streets; activating the surrounding neighborhood and providing a defined street edge. The architectural motif was to ground the style within the context of Fremont’s history and existing vernacular. Mid-century modern architectural style speaks to the City’s formation in 1956.

Interiors by: Rodrigo Vargas Design

Placentia Veterans Village

tcaeditor - Aug 25, 2023

The Placentia Veterans Village, offers 50 furnished apartment homes to low-income and disabled veterans residing in Orange County, including a designated manager’s unit. These veterans have access to a range of on-site services, including comprehensive, individualized case management and service coordination to connect with education, employment, healthcare, benefits assistance, legal assistance, and family reunification services.

Located on 3.66 acres of unimproved land in an industrial/commercial corridor of Placentia, the development enhances the quality of life in the area while helping to meet the need for affordable housing for veterans.

The Placentia Veterans Village apartment project is designed in a traditional Craftsman style using simple expressive forms and articulated massing to create an environment that is both comfortable and familiar. The one and two bedroom residences offer amenities such as indoor and outdoor community spaces, elevators, private terraces and laundry rooms. The project also provides a private community garden along with ample green space for the residences. The development is designed to achieve LEED Gold certification, utilizing energy efficient design principles and building materials.

Funding for the project comes from a variety of sources, including a federal Low Income Housing Tax Credit, California Proposition 41, a conventional mortgage (relying on a HUD VASH subsidy), Project Based HUD VASH and/or Project Based Section 8 – Orange County Housing Authority, and a pending City of Placentia Development Impact Fee Deferral.

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.

Orchard Park Interiors

tcaeditor - Aug 05, 2023

Orchard Park is a student housing project located at UC Davis. The interior design consisted of residential design including common areas, corridors and units. The scope also included two community buildings. This project was unique in that there are two separate housing components – graduate and family housing. This along with the architecture led to the evolution of two different concepts that would co-exist on the property. The graduate concept being “greenhouse vibes” – a fun and eclectic vibe, with medium wood tones, industrial metals, mix of indoor/outdoor furniture set against an A-frame backdrop. The family concept was coined “the treehouse” to playfully create an experience for adults and children. This concept had a strong wood component, highlighting shades of green, tree forms as inspiration and hammock details in the furniture. Overall the project design intent has a vernacular and indoor/outdoor feel to connect with its location. Also to be playful, modern and approachable for the residents to enjoy.

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.

BLU

TCA Architect - Jul 15, 2023

Situated on a difficult hill site facing the Oso Creek Channel in the city of Laguna Niguel, the completed podium site rises above the future wrap site allowing for views of the hills of Ladera Ranch to the East. The main courtyards of both buildings, which contain the pool and resident amenity areas, open toward the view. The architecture is contemporary in nature, with pops of accent colors and enhanced materials at building corners and key architectural elements.

BALDWIN ROSE

tcaeditor - Jul 14, 2023

Baldwin Rose is a veterans housing project that brings 54 units of critically needed affordable housing to low-income veterans and their families residing in the San Gabriel Valley. Of the 54 units, 32 are designated for low-income veterans and their families, and 22 are specifically for homeless veterans. 19 units are fully accessible for persons living with disabilities. The project also includes one onsite manager’s unit.

Designed in a Craftsman style using composite shingle roofing, fiber cement lap siding, stone, and wrap around porches, the dual-site project is designed to create a strong sense of place and a feeling of security, without being isolated from the neighborhood at large. The buildings are organized and oriented to front the main artery (Baldwin Ave) creating a pedestrian-friendly environment. The units are arranged in a series of “row houses” that collectively integrate the project within the surrounding community of single-family homes and every unit comes with a large private patio or deck.

The main “campus,” located on the East building, provides residents of all ages with ample outdoor space, including a tot lot, landscaped sitting areas and edible gardens. There is also a large community room for recreational activities.

The project is designed for LEED Gold and was built in accordance with ENERGY STAR Homes version 3 guidelines. Sustainability measures include a graywater irrigation system, and solar hot water, among others.

The City of El Monte will be transferring property rights to the site and is also providing financing in the form of a low-interest loan over a period of 55 years. Funding was also provided through NOFA and TCAC.