WRD Architects Recognized for Healthy Workplace

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Monterey, Calif. — Wald, Ruhnke & Dost Architects was recognized as one of the first 10 Blue Zones Project ApprovedTM worksites in Monterey County.  The full-service architecture firm completed the comprehensive worksite pledge promoting its employees’ health and well-being.

The points-based certification process encouraged WRD Architects to reassess its office space, healthcare benefits, social network, employees’ connection to meaningful work, and wellness programs based on scientifically supported research and best practices.

While WRD Architects had already implemented many of the recommended practices, the firm made some upgrades.  The company established a quiet in-office space to decompress and began a policy that at least 50 percent of food and beverages offered at the office meet the Blue Zones Project Food Guidelines.  Outside of the office’s four walls, employees started a formal twice-a-day walking group and planted an herb garden.

“We spend so much of our life working and at work,” said WRD Architects’ Principal Christopher Barlow.  “Having these practices set up ahead of time helps us all be healthier without too much extra effort or thought.”

The Monterey County Blue Zones Project kicked off in early 2019 promoting healthy practices in local workplaces, restaurants, schools, grocery stores, faith communities, and organizations.  These well-being initiatives are based on National Geographic Fellow Dan Buettner’s research of global populations with the longest and healthiest lives.


Media Inquiries: Jenna Tyndall, WRD Marketing and Public Relations Director; jenna@wrdarch.com; (831) 649-4642


Interior Designer Receives Profession's Top Certification

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Misato Eddy
Interior Designer/Project Manager
NCIDQ, CID

Interior Designer Misato Eddy of Wald, Ruhnke and Dost Architects earned the globally-recognized National Council for Interior Design Qualification after successfully completing a three-part examination, which tests designers’ ability to create “secure, functional and innovative interior spaces” while protecting the public’s well-being.

Eddy, who has been with the architectural firm for 14 years, also received the California Council for Interior Design Certification in 2010.

A native of Japan, Eddy has designed spaces for a range of clients, including Monterey County, Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System, Merrill Farms, Enza Zaden, Palo Alto Medical Foundation, Santa Cruz Community Health Centers, Light & Motion, 1st Capital Bank, and Interim, Inc.  She has also developed interior design standards for Sutter Maternity and Surgery Center and other large regional organizations.


Media Inquiries: Jenna Tyndall, WRD Marketing and Public Relations Director; jenna@wrdarch.com; (831) 649-4642


True Progress Takes Partnership, Collaboration and Teamwork

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From Coastal Grower Magazine

The newly renovated Schilling Place-Monterey County Government Center is now home to more than 300 county employees. Schilling Place Center is housed in the former Capital One building in the heart of the Salinas Valley. The new facility is the result of an almost three-year project that allows the county to reduce expenses over time by reducing leasing costs and consolidating county functions. The Leed Certified “Gold” facility a lso helps the county meet the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB32) mandated goals, and creates a variety of much-needed efficiencies.

The Schilling Place complex was purchased in 2014, after a challenging search for a facility that would meet the requirements of the county’s expansion plan. The former Capital One center was the ideal site to provide the permanent office space the county so desperately needed. The center definitely had potential, but the project was an ambitious one. Converting the 300,000 square-foot facility from a drab and dated facility into a vibrant workspace took vision and creativity.

The renovations feature an employee fitness center, a new healthy food choice cafeteria for employees and visitors to the facility, and an abundance of parking for the public and county employees. When asked about the project, architect Peter Silva, of Wald Ruhnke & Dost Architects said, “Our design objective was to transform a cheerless 1980’s style corporate campus into a dynamic office space that would better serve today’s users. Using a striking color pallet and bold geometric patterns, we’ve created an environment by which the general public and county employees alike will feel refreshed and enlivened.”

Assistant Administrative Officer, Dewayne Woods managed the Schilling Place project. In his view, one vital element was necessary. “Any successful project completed on time and on budget requires talented people,” says Woods. “We were fortunate to have such talented people working on this project.”

When Ausonio Incorporated began work on the renovation last August, the complex had been vacant for a number of years. Now, less than one year later, they are pleased to have another successful project with Monterey County completed. Ausonio’s Project Manager, Justin Pryer, says cooperation was key. “You need great cooperation to bring a renovation of this size to completion. We have that with the county.”

Because of the size of Monterey County, various offices throughout the area will be maintained in order to serve constituents across the region. Many employees and departments will remain in the County Government Center and other county facilities, but the new Schilling Place Center houses multiple offices; each benefitting from an array of unique improvements the new complex provides.

Among those improvements, The Auditor-Controller’s Office Enterprise Resource Planning Program now has a well-designed, long-term working environment to support collaboration amongst County departments within all phases of the program.

The Resource Management Agency and Water Resource Agency are now co-located at the facility, to provide a one stop Permit Center. The Economic Development and Workforce Development Board is more accessible to the public and enhances service delivery, and The Elections Department now has increased transparency, confidentiality, security, and improved public access.


Media Inquiries: Jenna Tyndall, WRD Marketing and Public Relations Director; jenna@wrdarch.com; (831) 649-4642

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1st Capital Bank Moves Corporate Headquarters

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SALINAS – 1st Capital Bank announces the move of its corporate headquarters and the opening of its City Center Branch. 1st Capital Bank first shared its plans to move its corporate headquarters to the Taylor Building in Salinas City Center in August 2016. The move was completed May 1, just weeks after the Bank celebrated its 10-year anniversary.

“After all these years, we are here,” said 1st Capital Bank President and CEO Tom Meyer. “This is where we want to be. This is where we should be, and this is where we were meant to be.”

As the largest community bank in Monterey County, 1st Capital Bank was looking for a new location for its corporate headquarters that would be visible and accessible to the economic needs of the community.

“The Taylor Building was a clear and natural choice,” Meyer said. “It is at the heart of Salinas City Center and the downtown revitalization project.”

1st Capital Bank joins more than a dozen new businesses that have opened its doors in downtown Salinas following the Taylor Building’s opening in 2015. The building serves as the headquarters for Taylor Farms and 1st Capital Bank as well as a storefront for several other businesses.

“We appreciate the financial investment and the superb quality of the building constructed by Bruce Taylor in the City Center, but more importantly, we appreciate the long-term vision for Salinas expressed by Bruce,” Meyer said. “We share that vision and want to enhance the financial well-being of the businesses in Salinas.”

The Bank now occupies 6,300 square feet on the first floor of the Taylor Building. The new space features a modern design, orchestrated by Wald, Ruhnke, and Dost Architects, LLP in Monterey and furnished by PBI Interiors in Salinas. Special attention was made designing collaborative workspaces and a healthy work environment, including ergonomic sit-stand desks that raise and lower so that employees can choose how they work.

“We are seeing more and more companies designing offices that give employees greater choices and flexibility,” said Misato Eddy, interior designer with Wald, Ruhnke and Dost Architects. “It’s great to see the employees’ excitement to work in an office that makes them happier, healthier and more connected as a team.”

The new location includes a small bank branch where customers can conduct typical banking transactions and open new accounts. The branch, which the Bank calls its City Center Branch, is open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Bank’s branch at 1097 South Main will remain open Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.


Media Inquiries: Jenna Tyndall, WRD Marketing and Public Relations Director; jenna@wrdarch.com; (831) 649-4642

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New Monterey Mixed-Use Project Close to Completion

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From the Monterey Herald

The mixed use project located between Lighthouse Avenue and Foam Street in New Monterey has a freshly-painted facade and a completion date in sight.

The three-story development that includes two structures, one which faces Lighthouse Avenue and the other that fronts Foam, is made up of ground floor retail space and apartment housing above it.

Developer Carl Outzen, who has spent an estimated $5 million on the project, said he expects the project to be completed by summer’s end.

“It’s been a long process,” said Outzen. “What you see now is what you’re gonna get.”

Outzen is referring to the building at 230 Lighthouse and its new outward appearance that includes stucco and siding in various earth tones, somewhat reminiscent of the T.A. Work Building on Alvarado Street in downtown Monterey. That project was completed last year.

The structure facing Lighthouse includes four retail spaces and 26 apartment units. The building at 255 Foam consists of six units.

Still to do, said Outzen, is the interior painting and installation of carpets and cabinets. On the outside, 13 awnings will be added and asphalt and concrete will be laid down in the parking area, which Outzen said will include a state-of-the-art runoff system.

“When it rains, water goes into porous concrete and then into underground piping and drainage where it gets filtrated before it goes out to the curb or through the sewer system,” he explained. “So there’s no runoff on the site.”

Outzen, who grew up Denmark, lived in a mixed-use development concept there where small businesses and residential units shared buildings. As a former Monterey City councilman, planning commissioner and architectural review board member. he remains a big proponent of the mixed use approach. Still, he never expected all the challenges he encountered with this project.

He bought the building in January 2013. In June 2015 that skeletal remains of a Native American man were discovered on the project site that Outzen said he ended up paying $30,000 of his own money to excavate.

That was after a nearly 90-year-old “Genuine ‘Bull’ Durham Tobacco” sign was discovered on the side of Carbone’s bar next door when the dilapidated buildings were demolished in July 2014.

In terms of the benefits, Outzen said there are many.

“First of all, it was an eyesore for several years,” said Outzen. “So now the city will generate the revenue from the businesses and a lot from property taxes. It also gained 32 apartments, which are sorely needed, while having housing close to workplace businesses that will reduce traffic and make it feel more secure.”


Media Inquiries: Jenna Tyndall, WRD Marketing and Public Relations Director; jenna@wrdarch.com; (831) 649-4642

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