Architecture

The 106,000-SF laboratory facility, located across from the existing Biological Sciences building, forms a consolidated science zone within the campus. This helps to unify the previously dispersed science programs and create a collegial environment among its users, which include chemistry, biology, allied health, and geology departments.

The three-story project is primarily devoted to wet-lab uses, with fume hood intensive space and instructional spaces. The facility includes a Van de Graaff linear accelerator, veterinary science facilities, greenhouses, and an observatory.

This 4,000-SF lobby and Tech Lounge renovation for a private biotech company provided a centrally located technology service center for employees and modernization of an existing lobby space in an executive office building. The project scope included:

- Tech Lounge with tech bar, lounge seating, work table, display case, lockers, storage, and tech vending machine
- Tech work room with back-of-house work stations and storage
- Tech demonstration room for new technology tutorials
- Private meeting room
- Elevator waiting area and cab upgrades, including new finishes and graphics
- Lobby upgrades, including new finishes, seating areas and graphics
- Toilet room upgrades

The Tech Lounge was designed to be a welcoming space by opening it up to the existing two-story lobby space. The white solid-surface entry portal that extends into the lobby contrasts with the surrounding darker wood wall paneling, making it easily identifiable to new employees. The new terrazzo flooring that runs throughout the lobby also extends into the Tech Lounge, creating a stronger connection between the two spaces. As a result, the lobby serves a dual function as both building circulation and Tech Lounge waiting area.

Professor Guttman works in the Division of Biology and Biological Engineering at California Institute of Technology. His work focuses on a new class of genes known as lincRNA. These genes are involved in controlling how stem cells become other types of cells. Guttman’s work  includes both the experimental as well as the computational components of biological research. In 2012 he received the NIH Director’s Early Independence Award, and has been named as one of Forbes magazine’s ’30 under 30’.

Professor Guttman’s method of research required the design of both a biological lab and a computational area that were efficient, conducive to the work being performed, and that fit within a building originally constructed in the 1930’s. The Guttman lab is located on the second floor of Kerckhoff Hall, and is comprised of 1,732 SF of wet lab area, a 1,077 SF computational office area, and a cold room. The wet lab includes a tissue culture room containing microscopes and bio safety cabinets, as well as a main lab space with 18 workstations and 2 fume hoods. 

Design features include a cohesive architecture that connects the two main components, which are set across the hall from one another, custom bamboo cabinetry and shelving, direct/indirect lighting coupled with under-cabinet lighting to achieve the appropriate light levels in the lab spaces. 3D modeling and rendering was used to help professor Guttman visualize the spaces during design. The scope of work included a new mechanical system including 4 fan coils located in the ceiling to condition the space. Construction of the spaces required timely coordination between AC Martin, the consultants and the general contractor, as the project was completed in approximately 4.5 months.

The nature of scientific collaboration is evolving from one of conducting research within departments to one that creates partnerships across departments/disciplines/institutions and, increasingly, context (academic, government, private industry). This type of interdisciplinary/multi-contextual collaboration has increased the pace of research and encouraged the development of innovative and groundbreaking strategies in investigating increasingly complex problems. Buildings from the 40’s - 90’s do not typically support this type of collaboration. For years, the emphasis in research labs was on bench, support and private office space providing no conference, meeting or social space required for an interdisciplinary team. The Minnich Lab renovation at Caltech looked at the department’s specific needs for collaboration and re-imagined the spaces to open them up and facilitate collaboration between groups.

The Minnich Nanotechnology Research Laser Lab was inserted into the existing 50 year old Keck Laboratory Building at the basement level. Professor Minnich not only conducts experiments, but because of the nature of his work, must also build the elements used in his experiments.  This required spaces to conduct experiments as well as spaces for tooling and manufacturing. AC Martin worked closely with the project team to integrate the proposed design into the existing structure and systems, including upgrades to systems as were required. New spaces include: optical lab, dry lab, wet lab with fume hood, and a sample prep area.

Designed for maximum views to the waterfront, Portico takes cues from the historic 9th Ave Terminal Building located within the specific plan and responds by adapting the proportions of the windows and monumentality of the base to this dynamic mixed use project. Additionally, given Oakland’s storied legacy as a waterfront city and powerhouse shipping port, the project also drew inspiration from the old lighthouse that was once located at the mouth of the harbor. The lens from the lighthouse had a distinct serrated profile as a way to amplify light. The project takes a contemporary interpretation of the lighthouse lens to provide distinct expression at key locations to create a beacon-like corner that faces the public park and adjacent promenade.

Las Dahlias is a vibrant transit-oriented, affordable multifamily project in East Los Angeles providing 78 apartment homes to low income or previously unhoused individuals and families. The four-story building is conveniently located on the Metro E line, connecting residents to job opportunities in downtown Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley. Las Dahlias includes a mix of studios, one- and two-bedroom units. Amenities include an onsite community center, rooftop verandas with gardens, a tot lot, and a forecourt plaza featuring a colorful mural by a local Boyle Heights native and emerging artist that captures the heart of East Los Angeles. Residents benefit from enrichment programs provided by Hope for Housing, and comprehensive case management for those who have experienced homelessness is provided by PATH.

The "K" Residence Hall provides Chapman University with on-campus housing for 400+ students. The new student housing is a key component to an integrated master plan which includes the adaptive reuse of the Villa Park Orchards Packing House built in 1918. The historic Packing House contains an exciting array of student services, academic uses and a museum. A subterranean open central courtyard acts as a circulation hub between the renovated packing house and new residence hall while providing a dynamic outdoor space for students to relax, study and socialize. The new residence hall is differentiated from existing structures on site by its contemporary design and use of exterior brick veneer accents, visually aligning it with other buildings on the Chapman campus. The building has a combination of metal sawtooth and flat roofs, recalling the roof forms of the Packing House.  To compliment the surrounding neighborhood’s agri-industrial context, the exterior walls are clad in metal siding at the upper levels and smooth troweled cement plaster at the lower levels.

Located at 11609 S. Western Avenue, Westhaven is an affordable housing project with support services that is situated on a narrow 0.9 acre lot just north of the 105 Century Freeway and across the street from Los Angeles Southwest College. This five-story building is designed in a contemporary architectural style with the concept of a sliding building mass, and articulated with varied joints and rhythms across the building façade. 

The project consists of 57 affordable apartment units, 28 of which are studios, and 28 one-bedrooms on floor levels 2 through 5. A single 2-bedroom unit is provided on the fifth level for the on-site property manager. 34 surface parking stalls are provided at the rear of the site including one van compliant handicap stall. This project was constructed in one phase after the demolition of an existing two-story residential structure.

Resident amenities on the ground level include a community space, computer room, laundry room and secured room for bike parking with 100 SF of space allocated for residents to service their own bikes. The community room is located at the rear of the building and directly adjacent to the outdoor community space, which provides a more quiet and private space for the residents. The property manager and case managers share secure offices located on the ground level facing the private drive, which enhances the security of the building entrance.

Located in the Van Nuys neighborhood in Los Angeles, CA this project will add workforce, affordable, and market-rate housing to the tightening Los Angeles housing market. It will have 332-units, which will feature 93 studios, 156 one-bedroom units, and 84 two-bedroom units. Each unit will have stainless steel kitchen appliances, stone countertops, and in-unit washers and dryers. Building amenities will include a rooftop deck, electric vehicle charging stations, a pool, outdoor lounge areas, and a dog park with washing stations. This project will be built in an Opportunity Zone and is within walking distance of mass transit options.

The new 600-student elementary school for Napa Valley Unified School District is a STEM magnet school. For the design of this project, special attention was paid to integrating curriculum needs for the diverse student population. The new campus is a short walk from the trails that run through the wetlands and along the Napa River, making it a perfect location for the students to supplement their STEM education.

The campus includes a Multi-purpose building, Library, Administrative building, 24 classrooms, as well as a Family Resource Center and Pre-school facilities. The Multi-purpose building and fields were designed as joint-use facilities as the site is in close vicinity to a City-developed wetlands education park.