The nine-story, 230,000 sf, $67 million Health Sciences Graduate Student Housing Complex at the corner of Gilman Drive and La Jolla Village Drive, consists of 225 two-bedroom apartment units. Designed by Valerio Dewalt Train, the building is scheduled for completion in September 2010 with a LEED Silver certification. The project deserves an Onion for its inappropriate scale within the coastal zone, poor quality materials and color selection (chartreuse and white - which will discolor and age very quickly). It looks temporary and i am sure we will quickly wish it was. Sadly this project is not up to the quality of other UCSD buildings. Too bad the UCSD planners can't stay with the vocabulary that has passed the test of time at this campus, defined by its silver eucalyptuses and azure sky, concrete and glass (Library, Muir College, Med. School, School of Pharmacy, School of Engineering and even the new Revelle housing).

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Designed by Martinez + Cutri Architects, Ten Fifty B is a mixed-use, pedestrian-friendly high-rise located in downtown San Diego’s East Village. Soaring 23 stories, the distinctive tower is the tallest building on the West Coast devoted entirely toward meeting the rental housing needs of individuals, families and seniors earning 20%-60% of the San Diego County’s Area Median Income. In keeping with Affirmed Housing Group’s mission to be one of the premier green builders in San Diego County, Ten Fifty B is well on its way toward earning Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification, making it the tallest such building on the West Coast. At Ten Fifty B, residents live in an elegant, light-filled tower that was designed to harmonize with nearby expensive high-rise condominiums and engineered to reduce waste and consumption. Rents for the 229 studios, 1, 2, and 3 bedroom apartments, which provide many of the same amenities found in other privately-owned condominiums in the area, are modestly priced from $493 to $1,261. Residents enjoy great views, an abundance of natural day lighting, granite countertops, and Energy Star appliances, as well as stylish furnishings made largely of recycled materials. In addition, there is an on-site resident computer lab, 4,000+ square feet of common area, a community room, outdoor gathering areas and barbecue pits. The state-of-the-art laundry room has a call system to alert residents when their loads are done, thus eliminating needless elevator trips. Residents are within walking distance of such employment centers as Petco Park, hotels, restaurants and City College, as well as to bus and trolley lines. Energy-efficiency was given high priority, resulting in a building that is designed and constructed to use 21% less energy than allowed under California’s Title 24 requirements. Ten Fifty B’s sustainable features include: • Low VOC paint/carpet • 100% smoke free • 35% of all materials were locally sourced • 10% of all materials were made from recycled materials • Recycle chute on each floor • Many interior finishes are made from rapidly renewable resources • Diversion/recycling of 75% of construction waste from local landfills • Highly reflective roof to mitigate the City’s heat island effects • Low-flow toilets and fixtures • Photovoltaic and solar thermal panels • Regenerating elevators • Solar-efficient windows

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DPR has taken a typical San Diego suburban office building nearing obsolescence and turned it into a forward thinking, sustainable, and vibrant new office space. The rehabilitation of the 1978 Governor Park one story tilt-up building is a great example of the potential of the San Diego inventory of existing buildings. “Bringing the Outside In” was the theme for this remodel, which was designed and constructed to achieve Net Zero Energy and LEED Platinum.

Taking advantage of San Diego’s mild climate, the building was designed to use natural cross-ventilation and daylight to cool and light the office. This was achieved by constructing roof monitors or clerestories on the south side of the roof to balance the north façade of curtain wall and create a spectacular volume of light over the main traffic corridor. North and south operable windows create the passive stack effect of ventilation. This strategy reduced the HVAC and lighting energy consumption by 51% better than a typical Title 24 compliant space.

“Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” directed the decision-making for materials. 95% of the structural walls, slab, and roof deck intact in the new design as well as most of the existing curtain wall. Reuse of materials from the site and other sites were used throughout such as, doors, frames, windows, casework, desks, steel, finish wood, and structural lumber. High recycled content materials were selected throughout such as carpet, tile, drywall, metal studs, and composite wood, and more than 80% of the new wood used was FSC Certified lumber.

The theme of “Bringing the Outside In” is as much about creating a quality environment as it is about saving energy. All employees have access to views and outside air as there are few walls to impede access to perimeter glazing to the north, northwest, and southern facing roof monitors. Many aspects of DPR’s culture are thoughtfully designed into the space. The open office environment, the wine bar, the commitment and respect for the environment as well as the environment created for the employees: all are intentional reflections of DPR’s culture. Even the surfboards behind the reception desk are carefully selected representations of DPR’s four core values. The new DPR office respects the employees and the San Diego community and could potentially influence others how to create space that better fits the San Diego environment.

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Orchid to SOHO for stepping in to keep the Irving Gill-designed Marston House open to the public when the Historical Society had to give up on it. This 1905 building stands on the edge of Balboa Park in beautiful gardens and is a great local example Arts and Crafts architecture. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and not only is it important architecturally but historically in terms of Marston himself as a civic leader and the role he played in the development of San Diego. Show SOHO that their efforts to keep this house available to the citizens of San Diego are appreciated.

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The historic 1936 Ford Dealership designed by Walter Dorwin Teague was razed today. One of the last and most classic Art Deco buildings in San Diego. All for a parking lot. Shame on the Salvation Army, and shame on Cathy Winterrowd, the city's chief historic preservation officer. Per Roger Showley's article in SignOnSanDiego, "she notified SOHO that the building was being reviewed for potential historic designation but acknowledged that she failed to follow up. She said the city attorney's office believed the building was ineligible for designation because it is owned by a religious institution and a demolition permit was issued without further public notice."

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Webcor and Valerio Dewalt Train Associates were selected to design and construct this project through an invited design competition to deliver a 226 unit housing development on the University of California San Diego’s medical campus. The $59 million development is a nine floor structure comprised of two bedroom units and amenity spaces. Through rigorous coordination and teamwork, the project will be completed, on budget, in September of 2010, a full year ahead of the original schedule. At the termination of a the future academic mall on the medical campus, the Rita Atkinson Residences act as the focal point with an implied symmetry about the mall axis. Upon arrival, this symmetry is deconstructed and forms the basis for the two “L” shaped residential wings. A green roof, designed to act as a gathering space, aligns with the mall elevation, further reinforcing the connection. A large central courtyard provides recreation area for gathering and study. Both unit types are designed to emphasize views and connection to the exterior, and utilize natural ventilation for temperature mitigation. On target to achieve a LEED Silver rating, recycled materials were used throughout the job, and kiosks have been integrated into each floor highlighting the sustainable initiatives of the project and the university at large. TEAM MEMBERS o Joe Valerio, VDTA Project Design Principal o Tom Daly, VDTA Project Architect Manager o Andy Shreck, Webcor Project Executive o John Beccaria, Webcor Project Director CLIENT REFERENCE o Mark Cunningham, Executive Director of Housing - UCSD T: 858.534.4015

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• The Grand Del Mar Resort is 440 Acres including the Tom Fazio Golf Course. • 249 Guestrooms including 31 Suites • 20,000 sq. feet of indoor meeting and event spaces • 21,000 sq. ft. Spa with 11 treatment rooms • Food and Beverage: o Addison - 5 Star / 5 Diamond Dining o Amaya: 3 meal a day restaurant o Club House Grill - casual dining at the course o Cent'ani Bistro Café o Pool Service • 4 Pools: o 3 dedicated to families and children o 1 adults only • 2 Professional tennis courts • 3 Retail Shops •

The Villas at The Grand Del Mar • Fractional vacation ownership opportunities • 8 Villas ranging between 4500 and 5000 sq feet o 3 bedroom o 4 bath • The Grand Golf Club: o 18 Hole - 72 Par Tom Fazio designed course 50,000 sq. ft. Clubhouse  Men's and women's lounges, wet rooms and lockers  The Clubhouse Grill  Golf Retail

More Details: Rooms: 249 Guestrooms featuring 21 spacious suites including a pair of opulent two-bedroom Presidential Suites, five Veranda Suites, 12 Palazzo Suites and 12 Prado Suites. Suite sizes range from the 2,840-square foot Presidential Suites to the 1,010-square foot Prado Suites, each with private balconies and spectacular golf course views. Meeting Space: The resort features in excess of 20,000 square feet of event space including: • 10,000-square foot Elizabeth Ballroom divisible in 6 sections with automobile access • 3,430-square foot Capella • Three wine inspired meeting rooms with an adjacent private dining room in the resort’s wine cellar. • Numerous outdoor function areas

Golf Course: The Grand’s Golf Club’s course was designed by nationally acclaimed golf course architect Tom Fazio. Fazio, renowned for his strong sense of environmental design as well as challenging-but-fair golf, created a 7,160-yard, par 72 course with multiple tees suited to many abilities. The Grand Golf Club is a destination unto itself; its course weaving like a natural tapestry throughout the resort. The golf course is limited to resort guests, members and Villa owners.

Clubhouse: The Clubhouse incorporates amenities such as: Addison, the resort’s signature restaurant; The Clubhouse Grill serving breakfast and lunch; generous meeting space and numerous patios; members-only locker rooms complete with sauna, steam and whirlpool facilities; and a pro shop, the Clubhouse spans 50,000 square feet.

The Villas: The only offering of its kind in Southern California ; each exquisitely appointed 4,000-square foot, 3 bedroom/4.5 bathroom Villa exudes first class sophistication. Owners enjoy privileged full-membership access to The Grand Golf Club, a 16,000 square foot spa, tennis courts, swimming pools and more. The Villa residents can enjoy 6 guaranteed weeks of luxurious living plus unlimited visits based on Villa availability.

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St. Bartholomew's is a fantastic little chapel on the Rincon Indian reservation at the base of Mt. Palomar ironically just 1/2 mile past the Harrah's Casino! The Chapel is open most days from 8-4, I stopped by early in the day and ran into the caretaker, a stoic man named George, who proudly offered a quick tour of the building explaining many interesting facts about the design. My favorite was all the natural materials used in the construction, especially the 2 foot thick rammed earth walls (gorgeous), and a big 'ol boulder simply crafted into the baptismal font. Even the altar, George explained, was hewn from a 5" thick slab of lumber from a site harvested Coastal Like Oak tree. The fact that everything was custom designed creates a very unified presense. (A hidden treat is the perforated wood Confessional Screen, it is amazing the way the light filters through, it is descretely tucked behind the altar wall on the left side). The other amazing part of the design was several narrow and tall windows that probably were 20 feet tall, each offering a glance of the magnificent mountain views beyond. On the day we visited the Chapel the electronic sign outside the Rincon Fire Station we passed on the way read 101 degrees. Inside the Chapel the temperature was a cooler and much more comfortable temperature, maybe in the very high 70's, without the A/C on George reminded us. He also pointed out the unique high up windows that simultaneously allow the roof to visually float above the walls, also let in enough daylight to fill the entire space. George said the building is higly energy and water efficient, with a Solar electrical generation system on the roof, LED lights, and low water planting. Finally, there is a sweet little garden space just outside with a burbling fountain, statuary, and a simple, but colorful arrangements of blooming plants that draws in butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. It was serene, reflective and beautiful lay over. This project really respects it's place, it is modern, beautiful, but completely appropriate and not over done. And based on how proud and excited George was to share the Chapel with us, I think it is probably just what the parishioners wanted. I strongly encourage you to visit St. Bartholomew's Chapel (2 Mazzetti Lane, Valley Center), the drive alone is worth it and the Chapel is certainly a worthwhile reward for the effort.

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Nordahl Medical Centre is a 57,208 rentable square foot medical office condominium building development located in the City of San Marcos, California. The building is a three-story medical office building with floors of approximately 18,500 sqft each. Nordahl Medical Centre is one of the premier Class “A” Medical office building on the 78 corridor and North Interstate 15 corridor. The building is located on Nordahl Road, two (2) blocks north of the 78 Freeway at Centre Drive and adjacent to numerous restaurants and commercial services. The project has a signalized intersection as its entry drive and is within 1 mile of the new 453 bed Palomar Medical Center Hospital, which is scheduled to open in 2011.

The architecture has a modern classical vernacular, while maintaining traditional architectural forms and elements. The exterior of the building is comprised of scoured concrete panels simulating stone blocks, architectural aluminum and stone. High performance dual pane energy efficient glass windows accent the beautiful exterior, while accentuating panoramic views. The architecture features sunshade canopies and sliding doors at the east and west main entries with aluminum accents. The building interior features elegant common area finishes with timeless materials, providing a warm yet modern feel throughout the building. The lobby features a gallery with a sitting area and sculpture and water feature for patients' and guests' relaxation. There is an outdoor patio with lunch seating area, lush tropical landscaping, a koi pond, interior illuminated monument signage, resort quality bathrooms, showers, and locker rooms, two high speed elevators, 24 hour card key access, panoramic views, an interactive touch screen directory, and the latest in green building standards.

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The RAMCO gas station in Julian was remodeled with no regard to the town's historic character or to the signage requirements of the Julian Architectural Review Board. The station's plastic orange signs and cluttered lot contrasts with Julian's Gold Rush atmosphere. The station's architectural offenses are made to look all the worse because it sits next to the "Julian Coffee House," a quaint and period correct building that enhances the historic quality of Main Street. (See photos of RAMCO and Coffee House.)

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