Orchid

Albert Einstein Academies (Beautification)

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 05:49:32 -0400

In 2005, Albert Einstein Academies (AEA), the first elementary school in San Diego County to achieve an International Baccalaureate (IB) certificate, moved their German immersion program to the aging, 1950's era former Brooklyn Elementary school property in the inner city community of South Park. Soon after occupying the site, students, parents, and staff started a significant, non-public funded beautification of the campus and the surrounding streets. Started by a master plan prepared by two dads of AEA students, enthusiasm took root by the entire community, including families from all over the world. Programs and projects that ensued, included surrounding streetscape improvements, planting of organic gardens, a gardens of the world project, building of a greenhouse, turning a large gravel play area into a sodded sports field, painting of murals, planting of hundreds of new trees (a majority of which intentionally bore edible fruit), building of two pizza ovens, collaboration with local restaurants to support the neighborhood and develop healthy foods programs, creation of outdoor classroom space, and a complete restoration of a dilapidated adjacent community park site. AEA's campus beautification was a primary catalyst in the rediscovery of an aging San Diego neighborhood that has since been reinvigorated with new retail and restaurant development within blocks as a direct result of what the students, parents, and staff have just begun in South Park.

Hillcrest 2.0

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 02:54:41 -0400

Hillcrest 2.0 is a unique volunteer-led and community-oriented Neighborhood Plan created by the Hillcrest community and the Hillcrest Business Improvement Association (HBIA). With over 450 hours invested into the project, 151 contributing community members, 7 UCSD student research groups, and a little over 1 year of charrette-style forums, the final document was completed in February 2011. Through community participation and guidance from notable speakers: Dr. Mirle Bussell (UCSD), Dr. Sherry Ryan (SDSU), Howard Blackson (Placemakers), and Mark Steele (MW Steele Group), the Hillcrest community was able to create innovative and sustainable plan recommendations for their district. Hillcrest 2.0 encompasses architectural style, historic preservation, and sustainable design concepts which are intended to enhance the quality of life in the area, reduce the environmental impact of build-out, and preserve the district’s unique neighborhood character. Noteworthy and innovative recommendations in this plan include: an incentive program for developers to provide exceptional and sustainable elements at the ground level, a push for a more bicycle-friendly environment, an emphasis on the streetcar as an alternative mode of transportation, the creation of a highway lid on top of State Route 163, and a proposal to create a National Main Street on University Avenue. The enthusiasm for the revival of the streetcar in San Diego reached incredible heights, and community members involved with this document were able to persuade the San Diego Association of Governments to modify their lack of funding for the streetcar in the 2050 Regional Transportation Plan. In February 2011, the volunteer effort paid off when Hillcrest 2.0 was submitted to the City of San Diego’s City Planning & Community Investment Department. This allowed for their concepts of sustainability and preservation to be incorporated into the Uptown Community Plan Update, which will guide the future development of Hillcrest for the next 20 to 30 years. Hillcrest 2.0 should not be viewed simply as a report with recommendations; it is a reflection of the success and change that individuals can make in their own community and we hope that our process will be replicated by neighboring areas so that San Diego will remain a thriving city that highlights the eclectic styles that each neighborhood has to offer. Hillcrest 2.0 can be found at: http://hillcrestbia.org/news/hillcrest-2-0/ http://hillcrestbia.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/HBA-Recommendations20...

Fletcher Cove Community Center Remodel

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 02:35:16 -0400

Sitting on a bluff top over looking the ocean, this former 1940s Army barracks, is an absolute gem of a project that the community of Solana Beach worked hard to make happen. As a collaborative effort of community fund raising, contributions from the City of Solana Beach, the Americans with Disabilities Act funds, and pro bono design services by local architect, Stephen Dalton, the Fletcher Cove Community Center project came to exemplify civic participation at its grassroots best. Keeping the same small foot print as the original building (rather than following suite with the surrounding McMansions), the Fletcher Cove Community Center retains a certain modesty that lends itself to respect for the ocean, and the surrounding topography that make this site unique. As well, it creates space–something those of us once knew before the advent of zero-lot-line development practices in recent decades. With ADA compliance, and environmental stewardship as programatic directives paramount to this project (LEED silver was the target rating applied for with the USGBC), the Fletcher Cove Community Center is a poetic lesson in vernacular and literal interpretations of its context–in addition to its cultures past and present. This is reflected in details as subtle as its azure blue hue, and as emphatic as its wave action roof line. Additionally, by exposing the structure, the community center becomes an educational tool, in that it simplifies the understanding of the space and how it works; while formal simplicity is maintained by its shotgun-shack-aspect-ratio, and the porosity of window and door apertures that blur the boundary between indoors and out. http://www.ci.solana-beach.ca.us/csite/cms/369.htm http://www.solanabeachcommunityfoundation.org/Home/fccc-remodel

Sustainable North Park Main Street

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 01:17:00 -0400

Sustainable North Park Main Street Sustainable North Park Main Street (SNPMS) is a broad, yet very grounded vision of a greener future for North Park. Applying simple interventions across North Park’s historic business district, SNPMS proposes a coordinated approach to sustainability. It involves building owners, business operators, and the community in creating a lasting framework for economic prosperity, community action, and an improved urban environment. The resulting work presents a broad scale re-envisioning of North Park’s commercial corridors, developed by young volunteer graduates of the NewSchool of Architecture & Design working in conjunction with volunteer professional architects as well as various community and sustainability stakeholders. This work was the subject of a public show at Art Produce Gallery August 13 to 20, which can be viewed at northparkmainstreet.com. Imagined within the larger context of North Park, five key intersections in North Park are illustrated as they would appear if a number of simple – and very feasible – sustainability measures were to be brought together in a coordinated fashion. These measures include building retrofits, new business practices, and public improvements that work together to support the goal of greening North Park. The work presented by SNPMS resulted in North Main Street receiving a $25,000 grant from the Office of Historic Preservation for the development of a Sustainability Implementation Plan – currently underway – which will help guide North Park Main Street in its efforts to create a community resource center for sustainability. SDG&E also granted $5,000 to supplement work on the Plan, which will be completed by October 1, 2011.

The I.D.E.A. District

IDEAdistrict — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 22:41:28 -0400

The Power is in the I.D.E.A. Innovation – Design – Education – Arts Why has the concept of a mixed-use district driven by a Design jobs cluster, nourished by Education, enriched by the Arts and focused on Innovation caught the imagination of San Diego business and community leaders? They understand that in the 21st century it will not be enough to rest on our past business success, great weather and beautiful environs. We have to intentionally plan for the future. A future that will see increasing interdependence between design and technology A future that must provide high paying jobs to attract and retain young, creative and educated citizens to ensure our competitive position moving forward And, a future enriched by art, entertainment and recreation, the hallmarks of all great livable and vibrant cities The goal is to enable this vision to become a reality and to unleash the potential it holds to drive new businesses and new jobs for our region. Our aim is to inform, to inspire, and we invite you to participate in shaping this economic development initiative. Starting with the central I.D.E.A. Design: To conceive, invent, execute, or construct according to plan. Cluster: Geographic concentrations of companies, suppliers, support services, financiers, specialized infrastructure, producers of related products, and specialized institutions whose competitive strengths are improved through the existence of shared advantages. Major trends in the global economy, coupled with San Diego’s strategic location, business climate, and entrepreneurial spirit, all point toward the opportunity for the I.D.E.A. District to be the “next big thing”. In addition, there are specific characteristics of the existing district, located on 35 city blocks in San Diego’s Upper East Village, that make it ideal for this use, including the presence of several major educational institutions that emphasize design, multiple small but growing design-related businesses, and a building environment with the appropriate character for this purpose. Making this vision a reality can have a transformational impact on our city by creating as many as 10,000 jobs in the next decade. But this is not an opportunity that will last indefinitely and it requires immediate action.

Advanced Water Purification Facility

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 21:41:47 -0400

The City of San Diego has limited local water sources and relies on importing approximately 85 to 90 percent of its water supply. Environmental stresses and court-ordered pumping restrictions have reduced the amount of water that can be delivered to San Diego. These circumstances and the threat of further limitations on our water supplies have intensified the need for new sources of water. In spring 2011, construction was completed on the Advanced Water Purification (AWP) Facility. The facility is part of the City of San Diego’s Water Purification Demonstration Project, which is evaluating the feasibility of purifying recycled water for reservoir augmentation. The AWP Facility will operate for approximately one year and will produce 1 million gallons of purified water per day. The intent of the Demonstration Project is to establish the technical, water quality, environmental, public outreach, regulatory, and funding requirements necessary to implement a full-scale project. One aspect of the public outreach goal is to allow the public a first-hand view of the process through facility tours. The AWP Facility is designed in such a way as to facilitate public tours while still maintaining an operating demonstration facility. A key challenge in the design of the project was the limited footprint for equipment installation. All piping and electrical wiring was installed overhead to keep working areas and the tour path unobstructed from the public. The result of the compact, yet effective design has been an operational facility that can also accommodate dozens of visitors at a time. Tour participants follow a colored pathway through a multi-barrier process that starts with membrane filtration, followed by reverse osmosis, and finally advanced oxidation with ultraviolet disinfection. This interactive experience is enhanced by informative banners along the path and decals that represent where the water is in the purification process. More than 500 guests have visited the facility in just the first two-and-a-half months of tours. In addition to a design that allows for an easy facilitation of tours, the facility incorporates techniques that save both energy and the functionality of the equipment. For example, the reverse osmosis units incorporate an energy-recovery device that reuses wasted pressure in order to reduce the intensive energy needs of the reverse osmosis process. Additionally, the equipment is regularly maintained to reduce wasted energy and to also sustain the life of the membranes for several years. This AWP facility is a perfect example of a design that incorporates an educational experience as well as fulfilling the need to demonstrate water purification technology for approval by the local governing officials.

Sharp Memorial Hospital Green Roof

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 19:01:27 -0400

There are well documented studies that demonstrate the healing properties of nature, as well as ornamental landscaping. Awareness of this concept and the holistic welfare of patients are engrained into the culture of Sharp Healthcare in San Diego, California. Yet, portions of their new hospital wing at Sharp Memorial created views from patient rooms to a barren emergency room rooftop. The hospital’s response was to commission the design and construction of a green roof to create more pleasant views from patients’ rooms. In response to the linear nature of the space and the fact that the roof is not accessible to patients, the design team decided to depict a staff of music, allowing both landscape and music to provide beauty and inspiration. The first few bars of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony “Ode to Joy” were selected for the project which was depicted in the placement of large planters on a music staff. The ode, written in 1785 by German poet Friedrich Schiller, is “celebrating the brotherhood and unity of all mankind”. It was put to music by Ludwig van Beethoven as the final movement of his 9th Symphony in 1824. The music staffs were created utilizing Trex composite lumber for the frames and large planters to depict both treble and bass notes. In keeping with the dry Mediterranean climate of the region, succulent groundcovers on 4” of soil media filled in the music staffs and were combined with the notes which are large planters containing Yuccas and Agaves. Background Palo Verde trees, rosemary, and climbing roses were also added to the planting palette. All plantings are irrigated with an efficient drip irrigation system. In addition to enhancing views from patient rooms the green roof provides a number of environmental benefits. These include the benefits of living plant material in oxygen production and carbon storage, as well as reducing roof top temperatures, providing insulation, and capturing rainwater.

Pier 32 Marina on San Diego Bay

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 18:02:02 -0400

Located on San Diego Bay at the mouth of the Sweetwater Channel in National City, Pier 32 Marina is located six miles south of downtown San Diego. This project has become an informal community center for National City, and is adjacent to a park. National City was once a working wharf in the 1800's where ships would off load lumber, grain, honey, salt and many other items. The project scope included the design of two main buildings linked with pedestrian bridges and a stair tower. These two buildings house marina support spaces including locker rooms and showers, an exercise room, dry/heated storage, laundry facility, boater's lounge, community conference room, large outdoor terrace, a pool, grocery/deli tenant space, and open office spaces for the marina management and other tenants. Also included is a residential unit for rental, or to be used by the marina management. Lastly, there is even a putting green, and a large multi-use outdoor viewing platform. The design incorporates an authentic post-and-beam structural system with exposed columns and beams, wood decking at ceilings, and bolted plate connections. The building's linear form is an extrusion of shed roofs with a raised clerestory roof monitor running through. Exterior materials include durable cement-board siding at the lower story base and ship-lap cedar siding at the upper story. Sloped roofs utilize standing-seam metal roofing panels. Interior spaces open up to the promenade and upper terrace with expansive operable overhead doors.

The Village Community Presbyterian Church

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 16:52:53 -0400

The Village Community Presbyterian Church in Rancho Santa Fe, designed by church architecture specialists Domusstudio Architecture of San Diego, has been honored with a 2011 Lily Award from the Rancho Santa Fe Association. The award is named after Rancho Santa Fe’s first architect and Building Commissioner Lilian Rice. The church’s design represents an architectural anchor in the community, positioned at the opposite end of the Village from the beloved Inn at Rancho Santa Fe. “The building’s Lilian Rice design blends nicely with the character of Rancho Santa Fe”, said Sr Associate David Keitel. The structural complexity and creativity of exposed steel trusses crisscrossing the dramatic sanctuary also earned a People’s Choice award at the 2011 Excellence in Structural Engineering ceremony for Josephson Werdowatz & Associates, Inc. Dedicated in May 2010, after nearly two years of construction and remodeling, the Village Church today is distinguished by hand-made Spanish tile roofing on a 42-foot dome and adjacent tower. A new courtyard setting is at the heart of the church campus, and the new sanctuary offers seating for nearly 600, with improved visibility and audibility from all areas. In addition to its new sanctuary, Village Church construction also included offices, classrooms and a children’s playground. The project was constructed by ROEL Construction Company, and Landscape Design was provided by Deneen Powell Atelier, Inc. Founded in 1956, the Village Community Presbyterian Church is a longtime pillar in the Rancho Santa Fe area. With more than 1,200 members in its congregation

RC Baker Foundation Education Center (at CAF)

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 16:37:56 -0400

The story of Challegned Athletes Foundation and the thousands of athletes worldwide whose lives are changed through this San Diego based organization is told via an active and impactful narrative throughout the building via supergraphics, murals, timelines, larger than life hero-like applications, signage, kiosks and digital display to inspire and encourage athletes struggling to overcome their challenges, and donors, volunteers and supporters to step up and help in any way they can. The cause is aptly championed through this narrative and lives are transformed as a direct result. The single positive keyword driving the interior concept is "Momentum." From athlete to donor, to families and loved ones who are involved, everyone who embarks on this mission is propelled forward in life changing ways.