Peninsula Station - More than just Green

Peninsula Station is a transit-oriented urban infill development that provides affordable housing to 68 working families in the City of San Mateo. The project was designed utilizing the USGBC LEED guidelines, and was rated by the City’s ‘Build it Green’ checklist. It received the 2011 Green Building Award from Sustainable San Mateo County, and was awarded the second highest Green Points rating ever achieved on a multifamily residential project in California. This reflects a commitment to sustainability shared by all of the project’s key partners and the design team.
The entire project was built ‘on-podium’ which presented significant challenges to successful landscape implementation. All plantings were installed in specially designed above-grade planters that also serve as the site’s storm-water treatment system. Design of these planters required close collaboration among members of the design team to balance the functional, aesthetic, mechanical, and plumbing requirements of the devices. Planters were then carefully laid out to shape and define the various outdoor ‘rooms.’ Due to the site’s relatively high housing density, providing a good mix of inviting and practical common spaces was critical to the overall success of the project. These spaces include a large central gathering area, a community garden with raised planting beds, a potted lemon grove, and a children’s play area. The play area makes the most of its limited space by minimizing traditional play equipment that would have had large fall zone requirements. Instead, faux stone climbing boulders are connected to a wooden “fort” by means of a “river” of rubberized play surfacing and concrete “plank bridge.” Elsewhere a loading ramp doubles as a basketball court, and is flanked by a mural illustrating local history. Private patios are located away from the communal areas, and are separated by planted vine walls. The overall plan was developed with sensitivity to urban living and the flow of daily life. Peninsula Station is now a vibrant, mixed-use community which supports the City’s initiatives to transform the area into a safe and welcoming place to live, work and play.

Check out the You Tube video of the project!

ACE Mentor Progam

For the past two years I have been lucky to work with some amazing people in the Sacramento ACE Mentor Program. The program teams Architects, Contractors and Engineers with students to “engage, excite and enlighten students” to pursue careers in our industry. This year I was on the School of Engineering and Sciences team- led by James Willsie of Rainforth Grau Architects. Others on the team included Art Ross of CYS engineering, Ray Nalangan of SMUD, Sarah Picker of Caltrans, Owen Jones, AIA and Donna Huntingdale of the Stahl Companies. Our School advisor was Andrew Kennedy- Mr. Kennedy teaches engineering and also advises on the Robotics Team- he is a busy guy.

Our project this year was to respond to a proposal to design and build a new museum and exhibit space, including site improvements for the Effie Yeaw Nature Center. The students met with the Center’s director to discuss the Center’s programming needs and also explored the site for inspiration. Back in the classroom, the students prepared a community survey that they distributed, collected and analyzed for programming input. We met bi-weekly with the students to work on designs for the site as well as the building. The students broke into teams related to their interest level- architecture, engineering or construction.
This being my second year mentoring students through the ACE program, I had certain expectations. Mainly I was hoping to retain more female students and to actually finish the base plan in a timely manner. As professionals we are used to working to the wire to complete projects, the students were no different and pulled some late nights to finish their presentation. The day of their presentation to the ACE judges, the team consisted of 7 members. The Team looked polished and spoke confidently about their project process and recommendations.

A week or so later the students were recognized at a banquet at Effie Yeaw. Team RAWR won Best Construction Approach. Thanks for a great year everyone! See you in the fall!
-Christine Talbot

ASLA California Sierra Chapter - Design Awards

On April 22, in honor of National Landscape Architecture Month, the ASLA Sierra Chapter hosted a gala to announce the winners of the 2011 Design Awards. The event was very well attended and featured guest speaker Terry Poltrack, ASLA National Director of Public Relations and Communications.

At this very grand event, Quadriga was pleased to receive awards in the following categories:

Parks/Open Space - Merit Award: Whitney Ranch Community Park
Commercial/Civic - Merit Award: Folsom Light Rail Plaza

This was the first time in over a decade the Chapter had hosted an awards program. The number and quality of responses exceeded their expectations: There is some excellent design work going on in Northern California! The concealed identity submittals were judged by the ASLA Louisiana Chapter as an impartial jury.

Quadriga’s Marq Truscott and Lea Allen both currently serve on the ASLA California Sierra Chapter Executive Committee.

California Mexican American Veterans Memorial - Honoring the Past

Situated in Historic State Capitol Park, directly across the street from the West steps of the State Capitol, this existing monument is slated for embellishment to elevate its presence to a level that is commensurate with its meaning and importance to the citizens of California. The original monument, a lone soldier known as “El Soldado”, was dedicated to honor the devotion, dedication, and sacrifice of California’s Latino Veterans to State and Country.

Working in collaboration with the Department of General Services, Department of Veterans Affairs and the California Mexican American Veterans Memorial Beautification and Enhancement Committee, Quadriga designed a new 15,000 square foot Memorial and Memorial Garden with El Soldado as its center piece. The Memorial is designed as a progression of experience, beginning with recognition of the Society of War Mothers who originally commissioned El Soldado in the 1950’s. As visitors are lead further into the Memorial they are presented with the Memorial Wall at the base of the El Soldado monument engraved with the names of the Latino Congressional Medal Of Honor recipients. The journey into the memorial continues with the visitors being oriented facing El Soldado, as he stands at attention to the States Capitol. The Memorial Wall at this final vantage point is engraved with prose and poetry to honor all California Latino Veterans. The entire Memorial plaza is encircled by a low Community Recognition Wall, embracing visitors and those memorialized within.

Quadriga’s role in this project includes conceptual Design through Construction Administration, with completion scheduled for early 2012. Quadriga was honored to collaborate with the Memorial Committee and local Veterans groups on this significant Memorial.

Click here to watch the California Mexican American Veterans Memorial video!

CALIFORNIA’S NEW WATER ORDINANCE (or how I stopped worrying and learned to love AB1881)

by Tim Skinner

On January 1^st 2010, a new ordinance was added to the California Code of Regulations: AB1881. And before this gets too Orwellian, let’s review how it will affect the industry.

It applies to new construction and rehabilitated landscapes, both public and private sector, homeowner-provided/hired, some existing landscapes, and cemeteries.

It does not apply to registered historical sites, eco-restoration or land reclamation with temporary irrigation systems, as well as plant collections opened to the public.

For years now we have been assembling documents that have grown in terms of their scope and requirements.

Some new pieces of information or services that may or will be required are:

‘Certificate of Completion’, which contains (among other sundry items) - names, telephone numbers and addresses of applicant and owner, ‘as builts’, irrigation scheduling parameters (for both establishment and established landscapes as well as temporary landscapes) and the irrigation schedule and audit;

‘Landscape and Irrigation Maintenance Schedule’ which amounts to a small manual for the property’s maintenance manager to refer – and we hope – adhere to;

‘Water Audit’ performed by a certified auditor. Just think of it as the ‘Hydrological Police’ or ‘Aqua Investigator’ – but in a good way;

Note-Quadriga's pending Certified Water Auditors:

Russ Mallard, Christine Talbot, Marq Truscott, John Suesens

‘Water Efficient Landscape Worksheet’ which includes the hydrozone information for each separate zone and water budget calculations for each, as well as for the project as a whole. In addition to this, local agencies must provide a copy it to the local water purveyor, for review upon approval of Landscape Documentation Package;

‘Soil Management Report’ to be completed by the project applicant, and supplied to the designer so that we might take it into consideration in preparing our design documents. Confusing, because this is a burden we normally place on the landscape contractor in our specifications. Not to worry – we will work it all out.

One item that we’ve been used to for a time now - the good old ‘Maximum Applied Water Allowance’ - has an additional category for higher water usage, with respect to recreation areas, permanently dedicated edible landscape areas (orchard or garden) and those irrigated with reclaimed water. This is good, and will allow for a continued richness of design, rather than a totalitarian xeriscape mandate. However, many of our projects that are being designed and implemented to accommodate reclaimed water, are and will be waiting for that very supply to be provided. In the interim, they are using potable water, so I see some room for interpretation and clarification.

The use of overhead spray has been reigned in, both in terms of where and when it may be used, as well as how it affects the overall ‘MAWA’ of the project site.

Even model homes must incorporate public education, including signage and pamphlets to indicate how planting, irrigation and grading are responding to these new challenging times.

Yes folks, it is a brave new world, but fear not: as a team, we will comply, and feel good about it too, because it is the right thing to do in these times of dwindling and eco-challenged resources. Rest assured that Quadriga will lead that team.

Related link: City of Santa Rosa Irrigation Guideline

Stormwater Management

Congratulations to Mercy Housing California (MHC) partnered with AIDS Housing Alliance (AHA) and their receipt of the Outstanding Sustainable Stormwater Project Award from the California Stormwater Quality Association (CASQA) for the Colonia San Martin development. This project has been recognized as one of ‘Sacramento’s finest affordable housing projects’, specifically developed for low-income and persons living with HIV. Quadriga developed plans in collaboration with Mogavero Notestine Associates and Cunningham Engineering to provide a comprehensive stormwater mitigation plan. The Colonia San Martin project manages stormwater on site through the use of permeable concrete and grassy swales to filter out pollutants, reduce the amount of water entering the storm drain system and recharge groundwater. Other sustainable features include solar orientation of the buildings, energy-producing solar panels, a community garden, small orchard, and edible landscape. These elements along with a small gathering space, water feature and a children’s play area provide a supportive environment for the residents and their families.

Sonoma Velodrome Project

May 7, 2010: See article in Press Democrat about Velo project

In 2008 Quadriga prepared a conceptual plan for a local bicycling interest group, the Sonoma Velo Project depicting all the elements on their “wish list” for a Bike Park in Sonoma County, including a velodrome, dirt trails and jumps, and kid-friendly bicycling areas. This plan was well-received and the Sonoma Velo Project secured enthusiastic permission from the City of Santa Rosa to explore the incorporation of their Bike Park elements at one of their existing parks, Youth Community Park. The Master Planning process is now underway! Philip Frankl and Shannon Sobeck represent Quadriga’s design team for the new Youth Community Park master plan. Shannon is especially excited about Quadriga’s participation on this project; she is an avid bicyclist! Take a look at some of Shannon’s photos from a 2009 adventure: 250 mountain biking miles over 7 days, hut-to-hut from Durango Colorado to Moab Utah. Shannon's Bike Trip Video

Oak Grove School--Grand Opening

October 9, 2009 was the Grand Opening of the new kindergarten wings, renovated playgrounds and entry improvements to Oak Grove School. Hundreds of happy children and parents were there celebrating (with ice cream) the occasion of the fun and whimsical new space for the kids. Take a look at the photos linked to the title... The Oak Grove District worked with junk-art sculptor, Patrick Amiot, to create the 'Mr. Fred' sculptor out front, and the 'Kitty' drinking fountain. Quadriga prepared the Master Plan for the school, and developed construction drawings for this first phase of improvements.

Water-wise Irrigation Practice

It's almost fall and a couple folks in our office are gearing up, with the cooler weather, by taking a landscape irrigation auditing class hosted by Ewing Irrigation. Once they pass the exam-(which I have every confidence they will), they will be Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditors. With the pending update of Assembly Bill 1881--we are tuning up our skills to help our clients use less water more efficiently. What better way to end the summer than by getting wet? And they can pass this knowledge along to the rest of us Quadrigans. Have fun Marq and John!

Diverse Projects--Interesting Browsing

While updating project lists, I've reflected on some interesting and diverse projects that we have worked on over the years. The list below has direct links to more information about these, and where they are today. Have fun browsing...

GREEN MUSIC CENTER - take the video tour!
HERITAGE HIGH SCHOOL - Best of 2006 - (go to page 6)
METRO SQUARE - 2001 Ahwahnee Award-Principals for Resource Efficient Communities
SSU COPELAND CREEK MASTER PLAN - provides direction to the University in preserving this beautiful creek that traverses the campus
SACRAMENTO CITY HALL - urban space across from Chavez Plaza
NAPA VALLEY COLLEGE PROJECTS - benefiting the Napa Valley communities: and more at NVC!
FAIR OAKS HORTICULTURAL WATER-WISE DEMONSTRATION GARDEN - open to the public: check out their workshop schedules
YOCHA DE HE ACADEMY - an educational facility for the Rumsey Band of Wintun Indians
NAPA VALLEY LODGE - wine country get-away
CESAR CHAVEZ PLAZA - with Farmer's Markets and Summer Concerts
UPPER COLGAN CREEK RESTORATION - for the City of Santa Rosa-click on Appendix J

Bill Mastick-thanks!

Bill Mastick has been working night and day at Quadriga this past year, and we wanted to acknowledge him. THANKS BILL! Bill was the ‘catalyst’ that originally brought together the Quadriga partners: Marq Truscott, Philip Frankl, Jane Marx, and Bill. Bill knew, or worked with each one of us, prior to Quadriga’s formation, and the rest is history! When Bill isn’t working-out with his intense exercise regimen, or wrapping his ankles for support for long distance running, he’s at Quadriga managing the Sutter Hospital project, Green Music Center, North Village project, and the SSU University Center. Once in awhile he gets away to practice the highland bagpipes or a game of golf: Favorite local golf course: Mare Island Favorite national course: Chambers Bay Favorite Scottish course: North Berwick
Bill, hope you get that BMW motorcycle, and a day off soon….

Cosumnes River Elementary School - a story about water

Construction has begun for this 19-acre school site located along the Cosumnes River in Sloughhouse, Ca. Connecting to local water utilities was not an option in this rural area and in order to handle water needs, the school was designed to include a large well, 750,000 gallon water storage tank and a wastewater treatment facility. In this unique case, the secondary-treated wastewater was used to irrigate 3 surrounding acres of foraging habitat for Swainson's hawk mitigation. The plant species selection was a crucial part of the design of this habitat, which would receive a high volume of water during the school year and almost none during the summer months (summer dormancy). In order to serve as a habitat for the endangered Swainson's hawk, the plant species needed to be low-growing to allow ground foraging and include abundant trees for nesting. Native oaks and redbuds were included, along with a blend of California native grasses including Festuca rubra, Nassella pulchra and Bromus carinatus that were selected to not only provide habitat, but to also filter out wastewater pollutants before entering the Cosumnes River Watershed. Also unique to the project is the successful relocation of a 36" dia. heritage Valley Oak from the original location high on a hill, to the new location over 40' lower in elevation. Design team members include John Suesens and Marq Truscott.

Peninsula Station

This is a very exciting project in San Mateo with the Mid-Peninsula Housing Coalition. This group has an outstanding record of providing safe, livable affordable housing. Check out their mission statement, and projects. We have enjoyed working with the staff at Mid-Peninsula, and the project design team led by Jon Worden Architects.

This project will have some very interesting outdoor rooms for the residents--with 3 stories over underground parking. We worked with the City of San Mateo and the 'Build It Green' guidelines, which was particularly challenging given that all of the landscape is on podium. Landscape features are reminiscent of Hundertwasser, the Austrian artist.

Redwood Credit Union in Santa Rosa

The new headquarters for RCU is a LEED certified project, with a beautiful water-conserving landscape. Quadriga's team of Tim Skinner and Bill Mastick worked with the Credit Union group to create this architecturally inspired design. Located on Cleveland Avenue, north of Steele Lane.