A proposed design by HMC Architects for a new San Clemente Marine Safety Headquarters makes creative use of the seaside topography of the Pacific Coast. The design, which recently won an AIA San Diego 2022 Design Award, would place the structure within a bluff, cradled in the thermal mass of the earth. The subterranean space would enjoy plentiful natural light, passive ventilation, and extreme energy efficiency, with the building anticipated to use 87% less energy than average.
Removing the old building would give the beach back to the public, providing 20,000 sf of new public space along the shore. The new public safety facility, the administrative headquarters of the lifeguard corps, would be situated underneath a new public plaza. Many of the facility’s functions, such as loading, maintenance, and storage, are unsightly and occupy valuable public space.
The new design hides these functions below grade while still giving staff uninterrupted views of the beach. On the bluff, extending the terrace outward increases the plaza area 12-fold and the linear footage of seating 25-fold, while maintaining the same amount of planted area.
Built in 1968, the existing structure is a familiar landmark on the Southern California coast. It has fallen into disrepair, due to coastal erosion and harsh salt winds. Renovating the existing structure in its current location would be expensive and would not provide compliance with modern standards. Furthermore, rising sea levels and storm surges will increasingly threaten the property. To avoid this, the architects proposed using the equivalent renovation budget to create a modern facility while expanding space for public enjoyment.
“The transformation of an underutilized hillside into a strong, terraced public plaza, while creatively incorporating existing elements, is commendable,” according to a comment from the AIA San Diego Award Jury.
Building Team:
Owner and/or developer: City of San Clemente
Design architect: HMC Architects
MEP engineer: P2S
Structural engineer: KPFF
Related Stories
| Jun 12, 2014
Austrian university develops 'inflatable' concrete dome method
Constructing a concrete dome is a costly process, but this may change soon. A team from the Vienna University of Technology has developed a method that allows concrete domes to form with the use of air and steel cables instead of expensive, timber supporting structures.
| Jun 11, 2014
David Adjaye’s housing project in Sugar Hill nears completion
A new development in New York's historic Sugar Hill district nears completion, designed to be an icon for the neighborhood's rich history.
| Feb 17, 2014
Call for Entries: 17th annual Building Team Awards - Deadline Extended!
BD+C's Building Team Awards is the industry's only recognition program to honor projects that achieve excellence in both design/construction and collaboration of the AEC/O team. The deadline has been extended to March 14, 2014.
| Jan 30, 2014
Mayors of 10 metros unite to cut building-related climate pollution
Organizers say combined initiative could cut as much climate-change pollution as generated by 1 million cars every year, and lower energy bills by nearly $1 billion annually.
| Jan 29, 2014
Richard Meier unveils 'urban courtyard' scheme for Mexico City towers
A grand atrium, reaching some 30 stories, highlights the contemporary, bright-white design scheme unveiled this week by Richard Meier & Partners for a new mixed-use development in Mexico City.
| Jan 24, 2014
First look: Foster + Partners' new home for Yale School of Management [slideshow]
Edward P. Evans Hall, the new home of the Yale School of Management, has opened for business. The 242,000-sf facility was designed by Foster + Partners, with Gruzen Samton as architect of record.
| Jan 24, 2014
Reed Expansion Index predicts widespread economic improvement for the year
Reed's December Expansion Index stood at 1.48, indicating overall construction in the United States is expected to grow over the next 12 months.
| Jan 17, 2014
The Starchitect of Oz: New Gehry building in Sydney celebrates topping out
The Dr. Chau Chak Wing Building at the University of Technology, Sydney, will mark Frank Gehry's debut project in the Australian metro.
| Jan 16, 2014
Construction spending for 2013 finishing 5% higher than 2012: Gilbane Construction Economics report
??Construction growth is looking up, according to the December 2013 release of the periodic report Construction Economics, authored by Gilbane Building Company. Construction spending for 2013 will finish the year up 5%.
