Groundbreaking for Mendocino College Lake Center

October 22, 2011

A festive groundbreaking ceremony for Phase 1 of the new Mendocino College Center in Lakeport was held on Thursday, October 20, under bright sunshine. The event was attended by over 120 people, including community members, college staff and administrators, the architects and contractor.

The event started with words by college president Kathy Lehner and board of trustees chair Joel Clark thanking the community for their support of Bond Measure W, which made this project possible. Mark Rawitsch, the Lake Center Dean of Instruction, spoke about how this facility will enhance the District’s ability to better serve the Lake County students. Director of Facilities Mike Adams thanked the stakeholders and design team, and was given a tomato (see photo) for planting on the site, a long tradition signifying planting the seeds for growth.

Project Architect Nate Bisbee of TLCD Architecture talked about how this project was designed to take advantage of the beautiful site and views, and Wright Contracting president Mark Davis spoke about their excitement of working on this project, and their long relationship with Mendocino College, going back to the original campus construction in Ukiah. Ruzicka Associates graciously hosted a reception after the ceremony at their offices just north of the site. The ceremony also included the mandatory photos of the Board of Trustees with the golden shovels.

The new Lake Center, located on a 30-acre site on Parallel Drive, will include 15,000 square feet of classrooms, computer, art, and science labs, administration and student support spaces, and a round classroom/community room. The facility replaces the existing center, which is located in leased office space one mile to the north. The new facility is scheduled to be completed by the Spring semester of 2013.

Leave a Comment » | Construction, Events, Higher Education, News | Permalink
Posted by Brian

Family Justice Center Sonoma County Opens it’s doors!

October 13, 2011

I was thrilled to be at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Family Justice Center Sonoma County yesterday with my team-mates Mark, Dennis and Leslie. It was quite a turn-out with lots of folks who had a hand in the project at various stages and quite a number of our Sonoma County political representatives.  The high point for me was seeing the end result of a project that started with sketching out the vision of the Site Committee in charette sessions in early 2010.  Those sketches morphed their way into 3D drawings of the space, which we fine-tuned and fitted out with color, material and lighting solutions.  The result is an amazing facility that provides a warm, welcoming and safe environment for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and elder abuse. My favorite room in the project is “The Nest” which lies in the exact center of the building.  The oval shape, dome ceiling and soft lighting represent the vision of the service providers and community based organizations that want victims in our community to know that people care enough to provide a special place for them as they journey through a challenging time in life. To read more about the project check out the recent article in the Press Democrat.

Leave a Comment » | Awards & Recognition, Civic, Events, Interior Design, Interiors, News, Open Practice, Project Update, Santa Rosa | Tagged: | Permalink
Posted by Suzanne Nagorka

Reflections on the Monterey Design Conference

October 12, 2011

Over the weekend, eight members of TLCD Architecture travelled down California’s coastline to the AIACC Monterey Design Conference. As a non-architect (though somewhat of a closet arch-geek) I was thrilled to be invited to attend the conference as a TLCD representative. After a couple of days back in the office and some time absorbing and reflecting, I thought I would share a little from my experience…

The Monterey Design Conference is held every two years at the epically beautiful Asilomar Conference Center in Pacific Grove and draws some of the most renowned architects of our time.  As a first-timer to the event, one could image that I was a bit nervous.  Like a rookie ballplayer joining a team mid-season, I walked into the main hall with the knowledge that I was amongst a group of well-established friends and colleagues who have partnered, collaborated, and competed with each other for years.  Though I was admittedly somewhat tongue-tied and star struck by the talent surrounding me, I was quickly assured and encouraged by the general camaraderie and openness amongst all of the attendees.

The list of speakers was impressive to say the least.  From Tom Kundig’s exploration into the interaction between building and landscape to Dr. Dickson Despommier’s response to global food shortages and environmental degradation through vertical farming, the key focus of the conference seemed to orbit around the larger concepts of sustainability.

But for me, listening to Jeanne Gang was the true highlight of the entire conference.  As she began to show her work, Gang intricately guided us through a complexly deep and thoughtful approach to design (it is no surprise that she was honored as a MacArthur Fellow this September).  From finding balance in urban ecology to creating a vision of communities in a postindustrial landscape, Gang realizes projects that few could even conceive possible.

Looking back on the conference, I see how it has changed and expanded my understanding of the impact of design on our world and when Monterey Design Conference 2013 comes along, count me in!

-Bridgett McGrath, TLCD Marketing Team Member

2 Comments | Cool Stuff, Events, News | Tagged: , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Bridgett M

Yuba Community College – Clearlake Campus – Student Services Center

October 6, 2011

After a wet spring and a mild summer we have now completed “Increment 1 – Site Package” for the Yuba Community College Student Services Center. The program is incorporated into three buildings and is quite varied, combining Administration Services, Learning Resource Center and Career Center, Library, Culinary Arts, and Science Clasrooms (including a Cadaver Room for Anatomy classes). The design team has worked closely with Sundt Construction to meet a schedule of preparing the site building pads, adding Rammed Aggregate Piers, and providing new parking and fire access roads, ahead of the Fall semester, which started in late September. The second part of the project: Increment 2 – Building Package was approved by the Division of the State Architect and as of late September is well under way. The footings have been poured and we are moving quickly toward the slab on grade pours. After that, the students and staff will start to see steel and wood framing for the walls. The project is scheduled for completion in summer 2012, so that the Owner can take occupancy in the Fall of 2012.

Leave a Comment » | Construction, Higher Education, Libraries, Uncategorized | Permalink
Posted by kevinteel

TLCD Architecture Honored at Best Places to Work Awards

October 3, 2011

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TLCD Architecture celebrated it’s first “Best Places to Work” award on Thursday, September 29th at a ceremony hosted by the North Bay Business Journal at the Hyatt Vineyard Creek in Santa Rosa. Attending from TLCD were Don Tomasi, Alan Butler, Jason Brabo, Mark Adams, Suzanne Nagorka, Janet Klain, Craig Gaevert and Marina Starkey.

The sheer number of people in attendance (over 450) is a testament to the number of companies dedicated to growing their business in the North Bay and to providing a quality workplace for their employees. Thanks to all our employees who voted TLCD Architecture a Best Places to Work… you are the best!

Leave a Comment » | Awards & Recognition, Cool Stuff, Events, News, Office Matters, Santa Rosa, Social Events | Permalink
Posted by Marina Starkey

Guy Messick to present BIM Boot Camp at CSU East Bay

October 3, 2011

Guy Messick, our Director of Design Technology will be one of the instructors at the upcoming California State University, East Bay’s Building Information Modeling (BIM) Certificate Program “BIM Boot Camp”.

The program focuses on implementing BIM into a business operation to optimize productivity, enhance a firm’s ability to manage the building design and construction lifecycle, streamline work processes and deliver projects more efficiently. This course is designed to help in planning and transitioning to a BIM methodology through a clear and concise format.

For more information, visit: http://www.ce.csueastbay.edu/certificate/bim/index.shtml

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Posted by guymessick

TLCD Architecture receives award for Outstanding Architectural Project of the Year

September 27, 2011

Santa Rosa Utilities Field Office, Front Entry

Last week TLCD Architecture, together with consulting engineers Winzler & Kelly, was presented the award for 2011 Outstanding Architectural Project of the Year by the American Society of Civil Engineers.  Upon receiving the Award, DanReiter of Winzler & Kelly credited the success of the project to the vision of the Owner, the City of Santa Rosa Utilities Department, and the collaborative commitment of the entire design/construction team to see that vision through to completion.

Sustainability goals were far exceeded in this 40,000 square-foot facility and its adjacent site. Functions of a training center, offices, and utilities shops are combined into an ultra-efficient building package.  The campus incorporates a number of sustainable design elements including photovoltaic arrays, innovative daylighting, heating and cooling systems and low impact site design with bioswales and native landscaping.

Left to Right: Mark Adams, Miles Ferris, Dan Reiter, Craig Gaevert

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Posted by Mark Adams

Construction Begins on Luther Burbank Savings Headquarters

September 2, 2011

Over the past week, Wright Contracting began the demolition of portions of the former Traverso’s building in downtown Santa Rosa.  This busy street corner will be transformed into Luther Burbank Savings‘ new Headquarters Branch.

The building, which has been unoccupied for years, will be clad in an elegant wood veneer rainscreen system.  Silver aluminum fascias, doors, windows and sunscreens will complement the rich reddish-brown wood veneer.  The parking lot will be constructed of colored concrete and enclosed by a perforated aluminum fence.  Natural stone and other landscape materials will contribute to a very sophisticated streetscape.   Local artist Ellen Blakeley will incorporate landscape materials from nearby Luther Burbank Gardens into an art glass installation on the B Street Façade.

The Headquarters Branch will open for business in Spring of 2012.  Throughout the construction process we will be posting regular photo updates, so stay tuned!

1 Comment | Construction, Open Practice, Project Update | Tagged: | Permalink
Posted by Bridgett M

TLCD Architecture commences the Construction on St. Helena Montessori School

August 29, 2011

Exciting developments are happening at the St Helena Montessori School!  While classes resume in temporary facilities at the site, construction has begun on the first four of six buildings designed by TLCD Architecture.  These buildings also referred to as “the Quad” include the Administration Building, the Toddler Building, Preschool, and Elementary School.  The central focus of the Quad will be the courtyard formed by each of the buildings.  Because outdoor education is an integral part of the curriculum, each classroom building will have adjacent outdoor classroom spaces for structured play, agriculture, and animal care. Students will be engaged in regular observation of the construction activities and will even help design and build some of the landscape features. The General Contractor is Eames Construction from Petaluma.  The buildings are scheduled to be completed for occupancy in fall of 2012.

Leave a Comment » | Construction, K-12 Education, Project Update | Permalink
Posted by Mark Adams

TLCD Architecture receives bids for Mendocino Transit Authority Maintenance Facilities

August 29, 2011

Bids were received on Friday, August 19 for the MTA Bus Maintenance project. There were a total of 5 bidders and we are pleased that four of the five came in below our estimated cost of construction for the base bid and four alternates.  The low bid, submitted by Arntz Builders, came in at just below $5,000,000 for the total project.   On August 25, the MTA Board agreed to award the base bid plus two of the Alternates, with the option of adding the other two Alternates at some time in the future.  Construction should commence in early September.

Leave a Comment » | Civic, Construction, High Performance Building / Sustainability, News, Project Update | Permalink
Posted by Mark Adams

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