Orchids & Onions

Inland North San Diego County, of which Escondido is at the core, is emerging as a regional economic leader in the forefront of job development and new industries. As the City has grown, replacement of the aging Main Fire Station No 1 became a priority. The passage of a local bond measure in 2004 allowed for the replacement of the existing station which was originally completed in 1966. The project included the construction of a new 28,340 square foot six bay fire station, 2,500 SF hose tower and 5,000 SF Reserve Building. The station itself is designed to accommodate 19 firefighters per shift. Among the features are 19 individual bunk rooms, kitchen, dining area, dayroom, fitness room and administrative offices. Also included is a training room for the department as well as a community room for community activities. Operational spaces include turnout lockers, decon and laundry facilities, hose storage, and a workshop. One of the main features of the station is the History Room at the entrance to the station which was designed to house the original 1926 engine that the city has restored. In addition the area is designed with a wall mural depicting historical events in the Department’s past and other memorabilia from the department=s long history. Also included in the project is a 2.5 acre training grounds incorporating a 6 story training tower with 2 burn rooms, a confined space prop, a trench rescue prop and a roof prop. It will enable the department to run both wet and dry training exercises, utilizing stairs, balconies, ladder access and roof access, as well as live fire training in the burn room. The training grounds are designed to allow for hose and nozzle testing, as well as providing an area for practicing vehicle extraction techniques. One of the features that was incorporated into the training ground area is a 40,000 gallon water vault and pump system to capture and recirculate all of the water used on the training grounds. Exterior site elements include an emergency generator, fueling facilities, and a hose-drying area. The fire station’s stone and stucco exterior, and metal roof relate to the surrounding neighborhood. The use of creative lighting and landscaping enhance the interior and exterior design features of the station. With well executed design and proper planning of required functions, Fire Station 1 provides the City of Escondido Fire Department the necessary tools to fulfill the needs of a growing city.

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After three years of construction, the dust has settled at Urban Corps of San Diego County’s three building campus in mid-city which includes two soon-to-be-LEED® Certified buildings. The result is a state-of-the-art campus loaded with green features which serves as a model of sustainable building, working & living practices. Urban Corps provides job training & education to youth in the fields of conservation, recycling, & community service, so what better place to do that than in these sustainably designed buildings! Building materials were chosen for their recycled & renewable content as well as those with low amounts of hazardous chemicals, which help reduce air pollution and create a safe, enjoyable environment. Most furniture was donated, saving money & raw materials. In the classrooms, one server powers all work stations, eliminating the need for personal computers, saving energy & reducing heat output. Solar tubes capture natural light from the roof & channel it to offices so lights are rarely needed. When lights are on, motion sensors detect inactivity & turn off. Windows open, providing fresh air, minimizing the use of AC, saving money and energy, and providing a wonderful location in which to work & learn.Other green elements include aerated faucets & low-flow toilets that help save water & energy; native and near native plants help reduce water; and special drains filter storm water for debris, removing contaminants before runoff enters watersheds. The Community Training Room features a 23-kilowatt SDG&E-owned solar system which provides clean renewable energy to the neighborhood. The adjacent green vehicle wash includes water reclamation technology to filter soap & debris for water reuse & prevent dirty runoff. The newly constructed Recycling ECO Center is dedicated to conservation education & includes a rooftop garden, conveyer belt & compactor machine to train youth on sustainable living & the recycling process. The garden features drought tolerant plants & an “edible wall.” A rainwater capture system, composting & vermi-posting support the garden. The garden provides a hands-on learning space while creating a sustainable green landscape.The completion of the green campus is quite a feat given the vast blend of public & private funders that joined forces to accomplish the shared vision. As the Corpsmembers work to change their lives, this progressive environm

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This March 2010, SEDC commissioned collaborating Artists Todd Stands, Miguel Godoy and Maxx Moses aka Pose 2, to embark upon a 400 long 1600 square foot mural titled Liquid Harmony located at the 62nd Street/Encanto trolley station.

From the artist's website:

As we developed our concepts for the wall it became evident that our goals were geared toward illustrating the power and vitality of Chollas Creek and it’s endangered habitat and wildlife.
Chollas creek is a powerful water source that runs throughout the southeastern region of San Diego and on a local scale symbolizes the importance of water. By raising awareness of the creek and its benefits to the community through our art we hope to foster the care of this rich natural urban resource by the residents.

The collaborative process of artists is a powerful tool used to forge individualistic ideas into a unified vision. Each artist involved in this venture offered a unique skill that lent itself to the specific task of making this project a huge success.

Throughout the last 2 years Miguel Godoy, has made a strong impact upon Imperial Avenue with his unique style and imagery illustrated upon numerous painted utility boxes. His participation in this project extended the visual conversation already taking place within this community. Todd Stands, is a working artist in the Cholla’s Creek neighborhood. His 25 years of mural painting and public art experiences are often based on youth workshops and collaborations. As a professor at Southwestern College, he has the opportunity to work with a myriad of emerging artists thus enhancing his ability to unify ideas and visions of groups of people cohesively. These skills will galvanize our collection of youngsters and artists for this endeavor. His passion for the natural world and years of environmental work is a perfect marriage for the overall theme of this project. Pose 2 aka Maxx Moses, is an internationally renowned Graffiti Artist and Concrete Alchemist. His years of experience as a painter, Art Educator, and community activist are the components that attracted SEDC to seek out his services and head up this project.

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The newly renovated Bali Hai Restaurant, Shelter Island’s tiki-themed institution is an example of controlled design expertise. The subtly handled remake of the iconic building that has resonated with generations for decades was mastermind by Graham Downes Architecture. "The community has great affection for this harbor landmark," says Downes. "The Bali Hai is like a house you’ve lived in your whole life. Patrons want that homeliness and comfortable familiarity. We strived to maintain that pride and history while contemporizing and freshening the environment and improving the functionality." For the circular, two-story structure, Downes' goal was to make Bali Hai's signature building feel sleek with modern lines and a consistent use of materials and finishes, such as integral-color cement fiber board siding and a new standing-seam green metal roof to match the Hawaiian Village outdoor pavilion that Downes completed last year. The architect and his team also restored two famous original tikis: the "Goof on the Roof" with its vibrant King Kamehameha colors, and "Mr. Bali Hai," welcoming guests at the front entrance. Out front, Downes created a dramatic "arrival experience," heralded by a redwood art screen façade by artist Miki Iwasaki, inspired by ancient stick charts of the Pacific Islands and tidal movements. The piece displays 85 synchronized white LED lights, preprogrammed to create a series of patterns such as night stars and ripples across the surface of the water. New signage, cantilevered wood-louver awnings, and decorative tiki torches define the entry. Other exterior elements include a ground floor patio shaded by a pergola structure and an outdoor redwood deck just off the upper dining room. Project team included Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing engineers KHL, Food Service Consultants Orness Design Group, Landscape Architects Garbini & Garbini and General Contractors Hawkins Construction Inc.

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Community offers live & work environments that allow the positive resident experience to begin at the front door to the property, not the front door the to their apartment or office. Each property encourages a sense of community and family. Community properties engage tenants by throwing events such as pool parties, tenant outings and art shows. These events promote conversations and interactions that might not otherwise occur. All Community properties embrace the concept of shared property and expanding boundaries.Community properties utilize the concept of adaptive reuse. At each property, new life is breathed into existing structures by utilizing progressive urban planning methods. Community offers streaming music in common areas, public art displays, complimentary wifi and the use of common areas. Environmental awareness is an integral part of each property. Upon move in, all tenants are given reusable grocery bags and the use of Community bicycles. Because each property is located within 3 miles of public transit and the properties offer bicycles, tenants are encouraged to leave the car, and use public transit or a bicycle. Giving back to the community is also important, so the Community Gives program partners with non-profit orgs such as Aware Recycling and ProjectMIM, along with the tenants of the Community properties in order to contribute to the community. The residential extension of Community is implemented at The Scripps Building and The Martin Bldg.+Flats. The residential properties offer the above-mentioned amenities as well as Community vegetable gardens. The Community vegetable gardens are maintained strictly by the tenants and encourage interaction. The introduction of art studios and gallery space into The Scripps Building is also in the works. The business platform of Community is currently applied at The Onyx Business Center. There Community offers the above-mentioned amenities as well as the use of common spaces, kitchenettes, and the conference room and business services. This platform allows small companies to act and feel as if they’re a larger company. Community will continue to expand into residential, business and retail environments using the same passion for a strong sense of cooperative spirit. As more restaurants, galleries and wine bars open and as more metro neighborhoods celebrate their urban cultures with nightly happenings, a community of like-minded urbanites will grow at Community properties

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