Local Architects Offer Their Lists of the County’s Most Notable Buildings
In terms of development, Orange County has a short history when compared to places like Boston or San Francisco. But in recent years, it has begun to take on a look of its own.
Hamid Shirvani, provost and executive vice president of Chapman University and an urban planning expert, calls the county’s structural design the “perfection of suburbia,” saying the layout of the various cities and neighborhoods,as well as its roads,is unique in the urban environment (see interview on page 15).
But Shirvani said architecture in Orange County is still evolving and cautioned that planners need to be careful that things don’t become too monotonous.
“You need to leave room for flexibility in design,” he said.
Shirvani called some of the county’s newer areas like the Irvine Spectrum and Tustin Market Place “fast-lane architecture”,convenient and easy to use, but on a large, functional scale. Fashion Island, he said, is more like a village.
“You need to pay attention to scale,” he said, saying that pedestrian-friendly, village-style designs,like the new bridge linking the sections of South Coast Plaza,are necessary to link people and places.
Orange County, he said is “transforming from a suburban scale to an urban scale,” making those links more important. More small-scale projects where people can more easily interact are needed here, he said.
Along those lines, Shirvani said developers should take advantage of some of the older, historic neighborhoods that are particularly prevalent in North County, using existing features in redevelopment as has been done in downtown Orange.
But even though the county’s style is still in a state of flux, local architects have definite views on what works best,and what doesn’t,throughout OC. Some look at development through the eyes of urban land-use planners, while others concentrate more on a building’s own merits or its user-friendliness in naming their favorites.
The Business Journal’s Sandi Cain asked local architects their thoughts on what they consider to be the best OC has to offer. Some of their replies are below.
Commercial and Public Buildings:
—Plaza Tower, Costa Mesa
This is far and away the most-often mentioned building, earning kudos from professionals across the board.
– “A sculptured statement.” ,Carl McLarand, president of McLarand Vasquez Emsiek & Partners
– “It has tasteful dignity.” ,Jerry Allison, partner, Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo
– “It is far and away our best office tower.” ,Greg Coghill, WATG’s vice president and managing director
– “It’s a public amenity. The owner was interested in making a meaningful contribution to the city.” ,Jeff Mayer, vice president and managing director of Gensler
– “It’s a fabulous building. The design is excellent, and it’s well-executed.” Paul Thometz, HOK Architects
– “It’s probably the most sophisticated building in Orange County.” Marios Savopoulos, Perkowitz + Ruth Architects
– “It’s probably the nicest building in Orange County for its detail, construction. You just don’t see that here. It’s just a Class A building. I think it’s the only one in the county.” J. Todd Stoutenborough, Stoutenborough Inc.
– “The only truly urban structure in Orange County; it’s Orange County’s best; it competes with some of the great buildings in major U.S. cities.” Jeffrey B. Miller, principal, IA, Costa Mesa
—Crystal Cathedral, Garden Grove
Though older than Plaza Tower, this local landmark still earns respect from designers.
– “It’s effective in a number of dimensions. One purpose in a place of worship is getting you out of the secular realm.” Bror Monberg, principal, Bror Monberg Architects
– “It has an ethereal exuberance. It’s inspiring.” Jerry Allison
– “It was cutting-edge in its day.” T.S. Voelker, T.S. Voelker Architects
—Orange County Performing Arts Center, Costa Mesa
– “I tend to like people-oriented buildings. (This) is people-oriented and attractive.” Carl McLarand
—Ronald Reagan Courthouse, Santa Ana
– “It serves its purpose beautifully. It creates a sense of importance and security, which government buildings have to have.” Bror Monberg
—San Juan Capistrano Library
– “It captures the Spanish architecture in a contemporary manner.” T.S. Voelker
—Irvine City Hall
– “It’s a very good example of an institutional project.” Paul Thometz, HOK Architects
Residential Buildings:
—Lovell Beach House, Newport Beach
A futuristic design done in the 1920s by R.M. Schindler, a Frank Lloyd Wright disciple
– “For its inspirational design.” ,Consensus choice at Carrier Johnson
—Newport Coast, Newport Beach
– “For its strong sense of place. Newport Coast is a refreshing breath of fresh air and quality. It has schools and fire stations, but still feels like Tuscany,and that’s a good thing,with a healthy dose of California, of course.” Marios Savopoulos
—928 West Ocean Front, Newport Beach
Award-winning single-family residence in the Craftsman style by Michael Corcoran.
– “One of the finest examples of the Craftsman style in a single home.” Mark Hepp, principal of Mark Hepp & Associates.
Other Mentions:
Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel, Dana Point; Fashion Island; John Wayne Airport terminal; Casa Romantica, San Clemente; UCI Science Library; Balboa Pavilion, Newport Beach; Newport Beach Public Library; Tustin blimp hangars; old Orange County Courthouse; Tustin Market Place; Block at Orange; Bridge of Gardens at South Coast Plaza; Sage Hill High School.
As in every urban area, there are structures that aren’t very inspiring, too.
“There’s occasionally a building where you say ‘What happened there?'” said McLarand.
Some local landmarks cited by various architects as their least favorites were: the Orange County Register building and the Xerox building, both in Santa Ana; and the Balboa Bay Club and The Arches restaurant, both in Newport Beach.
