Overaa, Killefer Flammang start Lafayette Library

Richmond-based C. Overaa & Co. has broken ground on the long-awaited Lafayette Library and Learning Center in downtown Lafayette.

The $30 million project was designed by Killefer Flammang Architects of Santa Monica.

A three-level structure, built in stone and wood in a contemporary Bay Area Craftsman style, the new library is within walking distance of Lafayette Elementary, Stanley Middle School, senior housing and the Lafayette BART Station.

The new facility will exceed 30,000 sq ft compared to the existing library’s 6,720 sq ft.
Some of the features of the library include a community meeting room with up to 150 seats, outdoor meeting and reading areas and more than 80 on-site parking spaces.
The new library is the largest civic project in the history of Lafayette, according to the Lafayette Community Foundation, the organization responsible for raising community support for the project.

DPR begins 365 Main’s Newark Data Center Facility

DPR Construction of Redwood City has begun construction on a green data center facility in Newark.

365 Main Inc., developer and operator of data centers, says it became the first data center developer and operator to commit to full compliance with the LEED building certification system of the U.S. Green Building Council for the Newark project and all future projects.

The Newark center will become the first LEED facility in which customers can lease customizable private rooms from 5,000 to 30,000 sq ft.

Construction of the 136,410-sq-ft facility will be completed in the fourth quarter.

In order to address rising energy consumption, 365 Main says the Newark center will use recycled and regionally sourced construction materials; build computer room air handlers that consume 30 percent less energy than traditional CRAHs by allowing air conditioning units to intelligently ramp up and down to achieve under-floor air pressure; make up air handler units with outside air economizers that use 100 percent outside air on days when the temperature is cool enough to achieve data center cooling requirements; and various other improvements, including energy-efficient lighting, lighting controls, water-efficient landscaping and alternative transportation modifications.

Graham Downes designing new national young women’s chain

San Diego-based Graham Downes Architecture has design underway for LOVE CULTURE, a new retail brand to be introduced nationally.

The concept caters to the young women’s progressive apparel market. Stores in prime locations at top regional and lifestyle centers will occupy approximately 7,000 sq-ft. The chain is expected to grow exponentially, opening 10 stores in the initial year. The first boutiques are scheduled to open in fall 2007, and include stores in Chula Vista, Calif.; Houston, Texas; and Pembroke, Fla.


The storefront design introduces a “peek/seek” concept where visibility transitions from transparent to translucent to opaque. 


An iconic red block is located adjacent to the entry and features a striking red signature graphic. Subtle text creates additional branding layers, used in place of conventional signage.   

The all-white interior is a fresh, crisp and modern design with wild red and cherry floral graphics providing a glamorous attitude. A “runway floor” and ceiling treatment dissects the interior, drawing the eye to the rear of the store where a full-height, high-impact, colorful lifestyle graphic commands the dressing room space, complete with a super-sized lounging bed placed in front.

The project team for Graham Downes Architecture includes Graham Downes as principal-in-charge, Robyn Rothschild as design director, and David Semon as project manager. Don Holis is providing the graphic design for both the brand concept and in-store feature elements.

McCarthy starts parking garage
for healthcare company in San Diego

McCarthy Building Cos. Inc. broke ground on a new five-level, 295,000 -sq-ft parking structure for Sharp Healthcare in the Kearny Mesa area of San Diego. The parking structure will be dedicated for use by employees of Sharp Healthcare at its 37-acre Kearny Mesa site. Completion is slated for June 2008.

The benefit of the estimated $13 million parking structure to the surrounding community will be a significant decrease in congestion and greater availability of
on-street parking for patients. At the
same time, the new open designed parking structure will provide a spacious, safe, and hassle-free parking solution
for Sharp Healthcare employees, accommodating up to 1,000 employee vehicles.

Under the direction of McCarthy’s Parking Structures Pre-Construction Director Randy Meier, McCarthy led and coordinated the design effort for the
new Sharp Healthcare parking structure, which will be constructed of cast-in-place concrete within an aggressive construction time frame of one year.

McCarthy assembled a team of top parking design professionals that includes Choate Parking Consultants, Ficcadenti & Waggoner Structural Engineers, Burkett & Wong Civil Engineers, Shadpore Consulting Mechanical Engineers, Randall Lamb Electrical Engineers, and Schmidt Design Group for the landscape design.

According to Ben Meyers, LEED AP, project director for McCarthy, the firm ntends to self perform the cast-in-place concrete work, while utilizing experienced local subcontractors to complete the shoring, grading, underground utilities, fire protection, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, landscaping and site concrete aspects of the project.

Hensel Phelps, Fentress Bradburn
win design competition for UC project

Hensel Phelps and Fentress Bradburn Architects were selected in a design competition to build a 70,000-sq-ft project at University of California Irvine.

The two companies will build the $29 million Humanities Gateway with groundbreaking set for fall.

The Humanities Gateway will be the fifth building in the Humanities quad and will include features such as an auditorium and film screening room. The Gateway will also use outdoor spaces to take advantage of the California weather. The building will use daylight along the perimeter of the building using large glass panels to reduce energy consumption.

The project will start in fall and is expected to be completed in June 2009.

R.D. Olson Starts on Fifth Phase of Senior Community

R.D. Olson Construction has started to build the fifth phase of the La Costa Glen Carlsbad senior living community in North San Diego County. The latest phase, designed by architects KTGY Group of Irvine, will add 52 villas and garden homes to the community, to be completed by January 2008, while maintaining the surrounding 200-acre nature preserve.

The owner of the project is Continuing Life Communities which develops and operates continuing care retirement communities throughout California.

Design of the $10.5-million fifth phase calls for 21 separate buildings consistent in style with its surrounding community. Stucco exteriors are planned in natural tones, topped by tile roofs. The new villas and garden homes will be arranged in duplex and triplex configurations, with each home ranging from two to three bedrooms and 1,600 to 2,000 sq ft. Each unit includes a full kitchen, living room, laundry room, dining area and patio. Villas will have attached garages, while owners of garden homes will enjoy five easily accessible detached garage buildings.