Santa Clara University, Graham Hall

Month: March 2018


Location

Santa Clara, CA

Project Type

Home to approximately 350 incoming undergraduate students each year, Graham Hall has the largest resident population of any building on the Santa Clara University campus. WRD Architects oversaw the permitting and construction of the new four-story, 125,000-square-foot structure for the University as part of an initiative to increase on-campus housing. With a strong focus on sustainability, the new residence hall incorporates salvaged and recycled materials from 96 percent of the four 1960s-era dorm buildings that were demolished to make way for the new building. The project was named a “Best Green Project” finalist in the Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal’s Structures awards.

The residence hall features common areas and maximizes the use of green space around the building, integrating the new landscaping with existing landscaping around an adjacent Commons. Design elements include abundant natural light, courtyards with green space, high ceilings in common areas, glass walls where appropriate, and a general feeling of openness that fosters a sense of community and ease of access.

Awards

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Multi-family Residential

Rockrose Gardens

Month: March 2018


Location

Marina, CA

Project Type

Named after a plant that puts forth beautiful blooms despite drought and extreme adversity, Interim’s Rockrose Gardens housing project creates an environment of beauty and dignity for low-income residents who have faced economic hardship and psychiatric disabilities. The striking new complex contains 21 modern apartments with integrated common areas and landscaped courtyards.

Interim Inc., a nonprofit helping clients find recovery from mental health challenges as well as housing and other support, partnered with WRD Architects to create the LEED for Homes Gold certified facility, with spaces designed to inspire health, wellness and sense of community for residents.

Sloped roofs and earth-toned finishes unify the buildings on their hilltop site off of Abrams Drive in Marina. WRD designed the interiors of the two-story structures to feature natural daylighting, vaulted ceilings, and calming, natural colors. The facility also includes a community room for individuals to connect in a comfortable group setting. The inner courtyard provides a landscaped, safe environment for outdoor gatherings and reflection.

Six rockrose tile mosaics are prominently featured in the project.  Created by Interim Inc.’s clients, the art symbolizes beauty and resilience. Custom designed gates with rockrose blossoms reinforce this inspiring message.

Awards

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Lighthouse Mixed-Use

Month: March 2018


Location

Monterey, CA

Project Type

WRD Architects designed a new three-story mixed-use development located between Monterey’s Downtown and Cannery Row districts.  The two-building complex introduces a fresh, modern look to this transitional neighborhood. Brick and cement plaster finishes, solid copper accents, aluminum sunshades and canopies, and an open walkway through the center of the building further enhance this pedestrian-oriented development.

The building facing Lighthouse Avenue includes 7,700 square feet of ground floor commercial space with 26 modern one- and two-bedroom apartment units above.  The second structure along Foam Street features six one-bedroom apartments. Apartment tenants have access to additional storage space, laundry rooms and private “tuck under” parking.

Awards

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Cardinale

Month: March 2018


Location

Marina, CA

Project Type

Like an attractive car that turns heads, Cardinale’s new headquarters is bold, polished and wows at first, second, and subsequent glances. The automotive dealer group wanted an office that embodied the excitement of owning and driving the finest car, and WRD Architects delivered the fitting interior design.

Each modern office space features a bold racing stripe in either red, yellow or gray. These vibrant colors were chosen to create a sense of movement to highlight the walls and floors as they travel throughout the building. In the showroom, the vehicles are framed by a gridded race deck flooring system.

The new headquarters literally shines. The refinished ruby desk in the lobby sparkles while the lustrous film covers add depth and richness. Highly polished flooring tiles illuminate the company logo at the entrance along with an artistic tire track pattern along the two main hallways.

WRD Architects’ interior design services extended to several collaborative workspaces, with the largest being the training room. The bold red stripe down the center of the room frames the dropdown video screen when it is in use, and the furniture provides flexible configuration options to fit different meeting or educational needs.

Awards

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307 Main Street

Month: March 2018


Location

Salinas, CA

Project Type

WRD Architects provided a complete interior renovation of an original Old Town Salinas office building with a design that opens up the space and brings in more light for building tenants.

Each floor of the three-story atrium has its own identity, with every level showcasing a unique material pallette, including wood finishes, metallic paints, and metal detailing.

Three existing skylights were treated with curved translucent panels to diffuse the incoming light, illuminating each floor. Extensive glass paneling and light colors at the upper levels draw visitors’ eyes up from the neutral ground floor, and a custom staircase with glass railing allows them to fully experience the breathtaking and beautiful lobby.

Awards

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5 Lower Ragsdale

Month: March 2018


Location

Monterey, CA

Project Type

Working within a “landlocked,” windowless-space, WRD Architects’ interior design team successfully incorporated the beauty and calming nature of the outdoors within a new patient lobby at 5 Lower Ragsdale, a 1980’s warehouse building that WRD and the Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System has transformed into a state-of-the-art medical center.

The interior lobby design literally brought the outside in through the installation of new skylights, planted trees, and the placement of a huge natural boulder that acts as a natural separation between the lobby and an adjacent hallway. The glass-paneled water feature engages both sight and sound while subtly incorporating the client’s logo.

Awards

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1st Capital Bank Headquarters

Month: March 2018


Location

Salinas, CA

Project Type

When 1st Capital Bank made the decision to relocate its headquarters from Monterey to Downtown Salinas, WRD Architects was there to support their vision of a vibrant and cosmopolitan flagship.  Our team worked with the client to create collaborative workspaces and promote a healthy work environment.  The open office features collaborative work areas along with smaller “team rooms” and a more traditional large conference room.

The center of the 6,300-square-foot office is the café. This modern space is centrally located and features pendant lighting, decorative ceiling grids, built-in drawer microwaves, a glazed accent tile backsplash, and multiple seating options, including an island and restaurant-style booths.

The café is designed to serve as a casual, central hub for employees to work, collaborate and innovate. Here employees can meet people outside of their department, develop better working relationships and ultimately improve communication. “We are seeing more and more companies designing offices that give employees greater choices and flexibility,” said WRD Architects Interior Designer Misato Eddy.

The bank’s leaders also wanted to use their new headquarters to promote employee wellness. The new office has abundant natural light from the large picture windows. In addition to each employee’s sit-to-stand desk, standing-height multi-use islands are shared between workstations to promote movement as well as spontaneous collaboration.

Awards

List goes here…


Madelynn Aquinaldo

Madelynn Aquinaldo

Office Assistant


Madelynn has been with WRD Architects for more than five years and is responsible for the daily operations that keep our office running smoothly and efficiently. She excels in customer service and accounting.

Inspiration: I’m inspired by my family. My husband encourages me every day, and my two sons make me want to be the best version of myself.


Carol Bryan

Carol Bryan

Business Manager


Carol brings 30 years of business experience to WRD Architects and is responsible for general accounting and office management. She has been with the firm for 20 years.

Inspiration: Being outside and enjoying nature.


Jim Irwin

Jim Irwin

Job Captain


With more than 40 years of drafting experience, Jim is a construction document leader supporting the design process from start to finish. He has served WRD Architects for nearly 15 years and his work includes initial site analysis as well as drafting plans and submittal processing.

Inspiration: I enjoy seeing how a project unfolds from its early ideas to final design to the built space.