This year, we’re thrilled to be part of “Tables for Tots,” benefiting Ronald McDonald House Charities in San Diego!

As participants, we were tasked with redesigning a child-sized set of table and chairs. What did we come up with? The Totcycle! Inspired by historic ice cream carts, the cruiser is sure to provide an afternoon of fun and good humor!

About “Tables for Tots”:

The concept for “Tables for Tots” was created by OFS Brands as a way to partner with the design community and raise money for local charities nationwide.

Local architectural and design firms, including domusstudio, received a child-sized set of table and chairs to design and decorate. Designs will be exhibited and put up for auction at this year’s fourth annual “Tables for Tots” event on Thursday, August 9 from 6:00 to 9:00 at the Ronald McDonald House (2929 Childrens Way, San Diego 92123). See below for ticket information.

Part 4: Smaller is Better

By John Pyjar, Principal, LEED AP

This is the fourth in a series of articles intended to give building owners an overview of the sustainable design features which are the most practical and effective in the long term reduction of building operating expenses and energy consumption as well as features that contribute to the long term ‘livability’ of buildings.

We in the U.S.have become accustomed to living in large homes and having private offices or cubicles at our place of work.   What are the long term impacts to homeowners or business owners and the environment following this model and should we adjust our living and work expectations to be more sustainable moving forward?At domusstudio architecture, we have just recently downsized our lease space by 35%, giving up our  individual cubicles in favor of an open office design.  Going paperless has decreased everyone’s need for file and desk space.  The result has not only been a substantial cost savings in rent and utilities, but we have created a more collaborative environment encouraging more of a ‘team’ culture.

Patrick Wade Child Development Center in Point Loma

As part of the design/build team with general contractor T.B. Penick & Sons, Inc., domusstudio architecture provided planning and design services for the 25,866-square-foot center. Named for Patrick Wade, a husband, father and American war hero who died in Iraq in 2007, the new facility includes security measures that assure the safety of military families as well as LEED Gold sustainability.

Beneath its red clay tile roof, the single-story CDC has 17 classrooms, a reception area, kitchen, laundry room and administrative offices. The main wall of the lobby is dominated by two large-screen televisions tuned to activity from classrooms and playgrounds throughout the facility. Each classroom was designed to provide good visibility for security, while also maintaining privacy for children’s restrooms.

Other security aspects of the building’s design, per the military’s minimum antiterrorism standards, include: adequate separation of the building and the parking lot; parking lot restrictions pertaining to parking and circulation; low-level landscaping and playground equipment that discourages any type of concealment within 33 feet of the building; progressive collapse avoidance building techniques; specific utility installation and distribution; and others.

“At domusstudio we understand completely the military’s critical need for a child development center designed so that Navy personnel can do their jobs knowing their loved ones at home are kept safe,” said domusstudio architecture principal John Pyjar.

The new Patrick Wade CDC has several sustainable features that contribute to the building’s eligibility for Gold certification in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. These include: low water landscaping with smart controller, water-saving fixtures, natural day lighting, and energy efficient lights and appliances. In addition, more than 80 percent of construction debris was diverted to recycling.

The Patrick Wade CDC is the third Navy design/build project for domusstudio architecture with T.B. Penick, and their fourth CDC is now under construction at Camp Pendleton.

Founded in 1986 as Dominy + Associates, domusstudio architecture is a San Diego architectural design firm specializing in sacred facilities, fire stations, educational buildings, senior housing and custom residential projects. For more information about projects and services, call 619-692-9393.

Informal seating clusters, like the new coffee corner, encourage browsing, relaxing and reading at the redesigned Oceanside Public Library.

OCEANSIDE, Calif. (April 11, 2011) – Recent interior redesigns at the Oceanside Library give the public institution a marketplace theme that encourages more browsing and gives library staff an opportunity to put more focus on people.

Designed within strict budget constraints by San Diego’s domusstudio architecture, founded in 1986 as Dominy + Associates Architects, the interior remodel rejuvenates the two-story, 30,000-square-foot library.

Four highlights of the civic redesign that are integral to the marketplace theme include:

• informal seating clusters – a new coffee corner, study rooms, and lounge areas for adults, teens and tweens – encourage browsing, relaxing and reading;
• additional service technology stations to assist customers in helping themselves to online research or checking out materials;
• more displays and eye-catching collections in the library’s arrival area to give a retail approach;
• a new children’s room with bookshelves that are shorter and angled so that library staff is better able to interact with customers.

Part of the Oceanside Civic Center designed in 1985 by Charles Moore, the library’s architecture is characterized by a two-story atrium, well-lit from above by a row of large clerestory windows. The redesign by domusstudio architecture maintains the noted American architect’s vision, while breathing new life into the structure with the integration of a marketplace theme.

domusstudio architecture previously worked with the County of San Diego to implement a new marketplace concept at four branch libraries.

“Several existing libraries are retrofitting to this model,” said domusstudio Principal David Pfeifer, AIA. “It’s amazing how much of this new service model can be accomplished within existing libraries designed under traditional thinking. You don’t need to tear down and start over; you can do an adaptive reuse.”

OCEANSIDE, Calif. (March 11, 2011) – Hundreds gathered recently for a grand re-opening of the Oceanside Public Library, where a new interior by domusstudio architecture showcases an airy, light-filled atrium and new consumer-friendly retail-oriented theme, all within strict budget constraints.

“This is the cutting edge of library design and it was accomplished within an incredible budget,” said Deborah Polich, library director, during the grand opening celebration March 2. “David Pfeifer and the team at domusstudio architecture embraced our vision, understood our budget constraints and respected the original work of architect Charles Moore from 20 years ago. They retained the light and added a freshness and originality that I think is amazing.”

Designed by San Diego’s domusstudio architecture, founded in 1986 as Dominy + Associates Architects, the interior remodel rejuvenates the two-story, 30,000-square-foot Oceanside Public Library with:

•  new flooring and finishes;

•  improved lighting;

•  sustainable repurposing of existing library furnishings and used bookstore shelving.

Other than enlarging the main entrance, no exterior modifications are included in the $658,000 redesign.

The interior renovations put the library on the cutting edge of library design with a new marketplace service model, changing the way public libraries are organized and operate.

“We have a new service philosophy to encourage browsing,” Polich said, adding that library staff also is training to put more focus on people.

“Like the Gap and other retail stores, the library now showcases rotating displays of relevant and entertaining materials,” said David Pfeifer, AIA, principal at domusstudio architecture. “This new trend toward marketplace browsing manifests itself architecturally in tiered displays, table top exhibits and wall-mounted arrangements that showcase a variety of library curriculum. The library now has more hands-on types of displays, and more materials are displayed facing out instead of shelved on stacks.”

SOLANA BEACH (Feb. 16, 2011) – Plans for an updated preschool at Solana Beach Presbyterian Church will serve as many as 40 more children in the community and include an expanded new outdoor play area, according to church architects domusstudio architecture.

The new preschool will occupy the lower level of a 25,000-square-foot office building owned by the church and neighboring the church campus at Stevens Avenue and San Rodolfo Drive.

“Our Preschool has been a part of the community for more than 46 years and looks forward to serving families for many more years to come,” said Pam Dvorak, preschool director.  “Children that once attended our school now bring their children. We are excited to continue to play, learn and show God’s love in our new location on our church campus.”

Pending conditional use permit approval from the City of Solana Beach and the Coastal Commission, tenant improvements on the building could begin as soon as fall 2011 and be completed in early 2012.

Last month the church notified its neighbors of the plans and invited all to attend an open house viewing of the plans with the architects. The community response was very positive, and the plans continue to be available for viewing at City Hall.

“Operating since 1964, Solana Beach Presbyterian Preschool is a valuable community asset,” said Jon Dominy of domusstudio architecture in San Diego. “This much-needed expansion will allow for better visibility and connectivity with the community and will allow the preschool to serve the community better. Replacing nearly 50-year-old buildings, the new facilities will be made accessible, brighter and code compliant, and will incorporate the latest in technology and safety for the children.”

The master plan for the church, including the updated preschool, is designed by domusstudio architecture, founded in 1986 as Dominy + Associates Architects.

In addition to San Diego-based domusstudio architecture and M. W. Peltz & Associates Landscape Architects of Solana Beach, consultants on the project include Sowards & Brown Engineering of Cardiff-by-the-Sea and Linscott Law & Greenspan Engineers, with offices in San Diego.

LA QUINTA  (Nov. 22, 2010) – Spanish Colonial-style bifold doors opened recently at La Quinta Fire Station No. 32, the desert community’s new four-bay fire station designed by domusstudio architecture.

Featuring state-of-the-art technology and energy-efficient systems, the new station meets the needs of today’s firefighters and also fits into the character of Spanish Colonial-style La Quinta Village, according to Wayne Holtan, AIA, a principal at domusstudio architecture. The San Diego firm has a portfolio of more than half a dozen fire stations throughout Southern California.

“I am pleased with the way domusstudio architecture has pulled in design elements reflecting the old world architecture of the La Quinta Village area. They’ve done a really nice job with that,” said CALFIRE/Riverside County Fire Division Chief Dorian J. Cooley.

Among the unique features at the new fire station are bifold station doors, which open faster than traditional rollup doors.

SAN DIEGO  (Nov. 23, 2009) — Domusstudio Architecture, with more than half a dozen stations built or in design and construction throughout Southern California, recently celebrated a groundbreaking for La Quinta Fire Station No. 32.

Expected to be built in early fall 2010, the $6.8 million project in the renowned golf community in Riverside County incorporates a 7,200-square-foot fire station as well as improvements to the neighboring City Corporate Yard, where public works equipment is parked.

“The selection of Domusstudio Architecture was based on their experience and the fresh outlook they had for what we wanted to do,” explained CALFIRE/Riverside County Fire Division Chief Dorian J. Cooley. Cooley was part of the three-person selection committee, which reviewed more than 20 proposals.

Featuring state-of-the-art technology and energy-efficient systems, the new fire station meets the ongoing needs of firefighters but also fits into the character of the Spanish Colonial-themed La Quinta Village area, according to Wayne Holtan, a principal at Domusstudio Architecture in San Diego.