TCA Architects

AMLI MDR

TCA Architect - Aug 29, 2024

Responding to site context and creating a strong link between the buildings and the community was among the top priorities during the planning stages of AMLI-MDR, located harborside in Marina del Rey, CA. Influenced by the scenery of the marina, the design drew inspiration from an image of a boathouse. Simple shed roof with exposed rafters and wall cladding composed of sidings, plaster and stone materials create a sublime visual nautical theme. Large corner windows and open rail balcony blurs the line between indoor and outdoor. Ultimately, the design is about living close to the water where people experience their surroundings – the sound of the water, the breeze of the sea and saltwater air. The 10.4 acre site will be developed as a 585 unit mixed-use apartment project configured in 6 separate buildings. Each of the buildings contain a lobby on the promenade with an elevator, club house, and amenity space such as a dog wash or bike shop. Some buildings will either have a roof top deck or landscaped garden. The property will also feature pool areas, fireplace structures, monument walls, trellises, plazas and promenades.

4TH & HILL

tcaeditor - Aug 28, 2024

A 31-story apartment tower located at the intersection of 4th and Hill in downtown Los Angeles. There are four districts that converge at the site: Bunker Hill, the Financial District, the Jewelry District, and the Historic Core District. The project is directly adjacent to the entrance to one of DTLA’s main transportation arteries Pershing Square Metro Station, one of the busiest metro stations in the area. Containing 428 luxury apartment homes, the tower is envisioned to be a beacon for the community. Through design and programming, the base of the building is proposed to not only ground the beaconing tower, but also to activate the currently lackluster Metro station corner. Orientation of the building captures views of the LA City Hall to the Northeast, Angels Flight to the West, the Historic Broadway strip to the South, and Pershing Square to the Southwest. 4th & Hill is designed to achieve LEED Gold-certification.

NEPTUNE MARINA

TCA Architect - Aug 26, 2024

In the city of Marina del Rey, Neptune Marina is inspired by the era of mid-century modern design. The design of Neptune Marina reflects the same timeless quality, clean simplicity, and integration with nature as the mid-century style is known for. The form giving influence of the project is derived from an architectural expression of post and beam with ample windows, open floor plans, and desire to bring the outdoors in. The architecture presents a disciplined use of material that integrates texture, stone accents, and natural color palette with the addition of a modest yet playful splash of color. A conscious effort was made to synthesize vernacular tradition with a modern language to create architecture firmly rooted in its own place and time. Symbolic forms and icons are borrowed from the past, and re-arranged in striking new compositions. The goal is not to attempt to change the course of a culture nor to produce stylistic replicas of a time past, but rather to fuse the current social realities and cultural expressions with the physical experiences of the site’s history.

ADDISON

TCA Architect - Aug 25, 2024

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.

MERRIWEATHER

TCA Architect - Aug 25, 2024

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

LATERRA DEL REY

tcaeditor - Aug 20, 2024

LaTerra Del Rey brings 210 units in a 6-story California Coastal modern style Type III Wrap to Marina Del Rey. The 2.83 acre site, within the Glencoe Maxella Specific Plan, previously held office space. The project will have a mix of Studios, 1, 2, and 3-Bedroom units. A density bonus was achieved with the inclusion of 18 affordable apartments for very low-income households. LaTerra Del Rey will have approximately 24,000 SF of indoor and outdoor amenities including a 13,000 SF Sky Deck.

THE ASHER

tcaeditor - Aug 15, 2024

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

WAIKIKI BOUTIQUE HOTEL INTERIORS

tcaeditor - Aug 13, 2024

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 REDWOOD DOWNTOWN

tcaeditor - Aug 10, 2024

The Redwood Downtown introduces 35 units of much-needed affordable workforce housing to Crescent City. This ground-up, infill development transforms a vacant downtown site into a vibrant mixed-use community with retail, advancing the City’s revitalization goals and strengthening the downtown core. To embrace the Northwest style, the structure has no stucco and is covered by siding resembling redwood, providing durability for the climate.

THE CHARLIE

tcaeditor - Aug 10, 2024

The Charlie (12575 Venice) is the companion project to 12444 Venice also by LaTerra Development. A 2 story commercial building on a 0.33 acre site, was replaced by this 75,267 SF residential project on Venice Blvd. The Charlie is a 5 story apartment building (4 stories of type VA over 1 story of type IA podium) above a subterranean parking structure. Ground floor units activate the pedestrian edges. The building includes a central courtyard to allow extensive light and air in. A generous sky deck on the 5th story maximizes views to the ocean and the Santa Monica mountains to the north. The Charlie is located in the residential and commercial neighborhood of Mar Vista on the Westside of Los Angeles, California. The small, but active community offers proximity to plenty of entertainment options, activities, and amenities.