This month we are focused on how to bring people in closer connection to their natural environment.
Our newsletter features the newly opened Mar Monte Hotel, progress on our Mattei’s Tavern renovation, and our volunteerism efforts in the Santa Barbara community.
Frames and footings are being built for The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern in Los Olivos, CA.
Project Team: DMHA Architecture, AvroKO, RRM, True Nature, Ann Kale Associates.
Drone shots courtesy of Northstar Development & Construction, General Contractor.
Excavation and grading are underway for The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern in Los Olivos, CA.
Project Team: DMHA Architecture, AvroKO, RRM, True Nature. Drone shots courtesy of Northstar Development & Construction, General Contractor.
Our friends at DUNE Coffee believe that specialty coffee is for everyone, and should be accessible, approachable and fun. In May of this year, Santa Barbara City Council voted 7-0 to close State Street to cars in an effort to flatten the curve of Covid-19. The owners of DUNE wanted to use this opportunity to create an inviting, bold and unique experience for the community. Our concept was to create modular, multi-use seating elements for people to sit, perch or lean on while they chat, read, think, people watch or simply sip some coffee.
CJM::LA worked closely with the owners of DUNE and Allen Construction to make the parklet come to life. Allen Construction has been supporting the Santa Barbara community through their ‘Locals Helping Locals’ program, where they offer free labor to help local businesses stay open through the pandemic. We cannot thank the team at Allen enough for their hard work and collaboration, we could not have done it without them!
parklet rendering by CJM::LA
work from home style sketch explorations by CJM::LA
installation day time-lapse
Allen Construction installing the parklet modules
CJM::LA and Allen Construction reviewing module spacing
Courtney and Mari selecting plants at La Sumida Nursery – Chondropetalum tectorum and Dianella ‘Cassa Blue’
Mari masking out pink stripes at the parklet
peaking through the palms at the parklet
The new Courtyard and TownePlace Suites by Marriott in Agoura Hills is almost complete. Architect: Awbrey Cook Rogers McGill, construction by DavisReed and landscape installation by LSCO.
This dual-brand hotel features a large courtyard with multiple “outdoor living” features: fire pits, BBQs for guests, shady gathering areas and a large pool. The new building is surrounded with native California shrubs and grasses and roughly 25 new oak trees, all irrigated with recycled water.
motorcourt with decorative pedestrian handrail (primer coat!) and ramp to Agoura Rd.
permeable pavers by Belgard
aloes with the Santa Monica mountains (beyond) & purple valve cover indicating recycled irrigation water
glass pool enclosure and pool deck underway
custom steel pool enclosure designed to complement the Craftsman-style architecture
baby dragon trees & porcelain “Sundeck” pavers by Belgard
custom steel pergola with Octopus Agave below
”Twist” bike rack from Forms + Surfaces
concrete fire bowl with built-in radial concrete bench, fire bowl by Concrete Creations
“Filterra” proprietary biofiltration planters by Contech, with native Juncus patens
“Palazzo” concrete detectable warning pavers by Ackerstone. The craftsman-style trellis is part of a pedestrian network linking adjacent commercial properties to improve walkability in the City of Agoura Hills
On April 1, 2020 we celebrated 7 years in business! What started as a sole proprietorship in 2013 has quickly grown to become a thriving team of creatives. Today CJM::LA is a dynamic group of individuals who collaborate to produce design solutions that prioritize the environmental, economic and social sustainability of our communities. In addition to our contributions to the built environment, we also support our local communities via board positions, mentorship programs, internship/shadowship opportunities, volunteerism and contributions to the educational and professional institutions that support the landscape architecture profession. As we look toward the future, we are excited to expand our creative reach into new markets and develop new methods of executing our shared vision.
Thank you to our collaborators, clients, friends and families who helped us reach this milestone. We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with such powerful minds!
For a closer look at our most recent work:: CJM-LA_Portfolio 2020
We were out in full force last Saturday, giving tours of our Direct Relief project as part of the Santa Barbara AIA’s ArchitecTours. After an in-depth presentation by Michael Holliday, architect for the project, Courtney and Nicole led community members on a tour of the exterior of the property. Our design for the new headquarters includes innovation and reflection gardens, courtyards for events and employees, and stormwater infiltration features such as bioretention basins, bioswales and permeable pavers. The overall design language for the property features a “reed” pattern which reflects upon the history of this region as part of the Goleta Slough. Details such as the trellises, gates, and formliner panels which imprint the concrete tilt-up walls reflect this language. The planting design includes a subdued color palette and focus on form, texture and pattern in the plant material.
We received so many questions about the species of plants used throughout the property, so offered to share our plant palette which you can view below. Thank you Direct Relief for allowing us to open your doors to the community, and to everyone who came out for the tour. We love to share the story behind our work!
Early bird tickets for ArchitecTours 2019 are now on sale! Please click here to purchase.
ArchitecTours is an annual celebration of local architecture and cultural identity. Projects on the tour showcase the design and depth of knowledge of AIA architects and affiliated members. The self-guided tour offers a rare opportunity for a behind-the-scenes look at exceptional properties. Experience the transformative power of architecture. Come be inspired by these examples of history, sustainability, and creativity that are enriching Santa Barbara’s future!
This year’s tour will take place on Saturday, October 5, 2019 and celebrates the intersection of art and architecture. Art can be found in architecture throughout our community. It bridges both old and new architectural styles and transcends time. It can take the form of artistically designed buildings and landscapes that, in and of themselves, are considered art pieces.
CJM::LA will be showcasing our recently completed Direct Relief Headquarters project on the tour. We will be on-site all day offering guided tours of the property as well as information about our practice and the history of the Direct Relief organization. Join us!
CJM::LA’s recently completed Arlington Village property, as well as our in-progress adaptive reuse property will be featured on this year’s AIASB ArchitecTours!
The Santa Barbara AIA’s annual ArchitecTours, a celebration of local architecture, will showcase the architectural fabric of downtown Santa Barbara, including new and recently completed properties in the downtown core. The theme of this year’s ArchitecTours is ‘Rediscover Downtown Santa Barbara: Imagine How You Can Live, Work & Play’.
Each of the twelve projects showcase the best of downtown and include a mix of commercial and residential projects demonstrating how we live in downtown Santa Barbara. This event draws attention to the extraordinary architectural legacy in Santa Barbara and the value of well-designed architecture to its surrounding community. Equally, ArchitecTours highlights the expertise that AIA architects (and Landscape Architects!) possess including a thorough understanding and expertise in urban design, sustainability, accessibility, structural improvements, building materials, and historic renovation.
The tour will be held this Saturday October 6th from 10am – 4pm and will culminate with a festive party.
Tickets are $80 for general public, $70 for AIA members and seniors, and $25 for students.
Tickets can be purchased here.
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Tessa Chong contrasts Japanese landscapes and cityscapes for Super Magic Hats video
June 9, 2016
Dezeen
Image courtesy of Tessa Chong
Inspired by her travels to Japan, Melbourne based director Tessa Chong created a illustrated tapestry of city life for a music video for the band Super Magic hats.
Click here to read more about Tessa, and to see the music video.
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The Park – Las Vegas, NV
May 26, 2016
Landezine
Image courtesy of Hanns Joosten
Las Vegas isn’t exactly known for its parks, but all that is about to change. New York City based firm !melk has brought cutting edge urban design and green space to the heart of Las Vegas Boulevard.
Click here to read more about how !melk is changing the conversation on the famous Las Vegas Strip.
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San Diego Teaches Us How Micro-Living Can Thrive
April 21, 2016
Dwell
Image courtesy of Ye Rin Mok
Hector Perez, a Woodbury University professor, rallied together a team of architects to design a small urban infill project in the historic Barrio Logan neighborhood of San Diego. The development was supposed to be a series of nine infill projects, but was unable to complete them due to the economic downturn. However, the first lot was developed into a double-height, mixed-use building of Perez’s design, where, in less than 4,000 square feet, he has created eight live-work units, each with a private outdoor space.
Click here to read more about this cool California contemporary design.
