Going the Distance to Rebuild Santa Clara’s International Swim Center
The Santa Clara Weekly covers Santa Clara's efforts to rebuild the International Swim Center. The venerable George F. Haines International Swim Center put Santa Clara on the map as a preeminent training ground for college level athletes and Olympic swimmers, divers and synchronized swimmers. Historically used as a competition venue, ELS is developing a new vision for the 47-year-old swim… more
Splash Swim School in Walnut Creek Is Open
Adapted by ELS from a 1920s-era auto shop, Splash Swim School in Walnut Creek is open! The school features a shallow warm water pool, showers, changing rooms and a parent-viewing area, all in support of Splash’s mission to teach young children about health, exercise, self-confidence and swimming. The school is located on 3rd Avenue, across the street from the site… more
ELS Matching Pledges during KQED’s Spring Fundraiser
Supporting public radio in our community, ELS will match pledges during KQED Radio’s Spring Fundraiser that begins tomorrow. For every pledge to KQED, ELS will give a matching pledge, up to a total of $1000, during each of the following three breaks. Listen for us on KQED 88.5FM and make a pledge if you'd like on Monday, May 13th at 6:40am,… more
ELS Principal Kurt Schindler Elected to the AIA College of Fellows
ELS Architecture and Urban Design is pleased to announce that Kurt Schindler has been elected to the American Institute of Architects (AIA) College of Fellows, a prestigious honor recognizing Kurt's significant contributions to architecture, historic preservation, and urban revitalization. Kurt joined ELS in 1981 and has developed an expertise in historic preservation and cultural facilities, focusing on historic rehabilitation as… more
The Real Green Opportunities in Retail
For Eco-Structure magazine, Sean Slater, Director of Retail and Mixed Use at ELS, writes about opportunities in greening retail from implementing livable communities to renovating aging shopping centers. Sustainable design has come a long way in the past 20 years, but by and large, the retail sector--especially shopping malls--still lags behind property types. The reasons for this have a lot to do with… more
Bay Area Retail Asks: Are You Experiential?
The Registry's 2013 Trends and Outlook issue features a Q&A with Sean Slater, Director of Retail and Mixed Use at ELS, on retail trends. From bustling downtowns to suburban malls, the bricks-and-mortar store is poised for reinvention. Faced with increased competition from web retailing, merchants are creatively elevating the in-store experience into something more exciting and entertaining to engage shoppers… more
USC Uytengsu Aquatics Center Begins Construction
The USC Uytengsu Aquatics Center begins construction this month, January 2013. The project is the renovation and expansion of the former USC McDonald’s Olympic Swim Stadium that opened in 1983 and served as the site of the 1984 Summer Olympic Games. The Uytengsu Aquatics Center will include permanent seating for 1,500 spectators, new shade canopy structure, lighting for night time… more
Fox Oakland Theater Featured in 10 Most Beautiful Music Venues in California
Our Fox Oakland Theater is featured in California Home and Design's and 7x7 Magazine's article, "10 Most Beautiful Music Venues in California." As the design and historic architect for the renovation of the National Landmark 1928 Fox Theater, ELS restored and re-cast the theater as a popular music venue and a centerpiece of Oakland’s Uptown District revival. Writer Arwen Petty noted, "With… more
ELS Is Pleased to Announce Two Promotions and Three New Hires
ELS is pleased to welcome Sean Slater, AIA as our Director of Retail and Mixed-Use. Sean joins ELS after spending the past sixteen years practicing architecture and urban design in Austin and Atlanta. He has devoted much of his career to creating memorable and sustainable spaces for a variety of regionally sensitive styles, climates and demographics. Sean has been an… more
Award-Winning Historic Old Administration Building
Following a major $42 million renovation, the National Landmark Historic Old Administration Building at Fresno City College has reopened and been returned to its former glory. An exemplary work in historic preservation, restoration, and rehabilitation, the project has been honored with awards from the California Preservation Foundation, AIA San Francisco, AIA East Bay, and the California Community College Facility Coalition… more
Construction Begins on The Square at Campus Pointe
Site work construction has begun on the retail portion of Campus Pointe. Master planned by ELS and linked to California State University, Fresno by a pedestrian oriented campus road, Campus Pointe is a new 45-acre mixed-use development from developer Ed Kashian. Featuring retail, restaurants, multiplex cinema, housing, hotel and office uses, Campus Pointe provides new community gathering places for students and… more
East Oakland Sports Center Recognized as Athletic Business 2012 Facility of Merit
East Oakland Sports Center has been recognized by Athletic Business as a 2012 Facility of Merit Winner. Athletic Business noted that, "Boasting one of the few recreational natatoriums in the country for underserved populations, the East Oakland Sports Center was lauded by the judges both for its design and for what it means to the community it serves." Opened in June… more
San Jose Civic Officially Reopens after Historic Renovation
The historically renovated downtown San Jose Civic Auditorium has officially reopened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the fall of 2012. Built in 1936, San Jose Civic is a Spanish mission-style venue that historically hosted a wide range of civic events, including sports, conventions, City Dances and general assembly for over 75 years. In the 1960’s and 70’s, the dual-level, mid-sized… more
AIACC Profiles Clarence Mamuyac on the Value of Design
AIA California Council profiles ELS principal Clarence Mamuyac, FAIA on the value of well-designed, ecologically sustainable sports and recreation centers in serving their communities. Link: AIACC: Clarence D. Mamuyac, Jr., FAIA, LEED AP more
ELS Selected to Design Two Sports Facilities for UC Berkeley
UC Berkeley has chosen ELS to design an expansion for the Hellman Tennis Center on campus to include 200 new seats and array of spectator amenities to enhance the Cal fan experience. Groundbreaking is slated for the summer of 2013. Additionally, Friends of Cal Swimming have selected ELS to design the new home of California Intercollegiate Aquatic Sports. The new… more
Clarence Mamuyac Article on Sustainable Swim Centers in Eco-Structure
The July 2012 issue of Eco-Structure features an article by ELS principal Clarence Mamuyac, FAIA, on how design strategies and new technologies can slash energy consumption in swim facilities and improve the health and comfort of users. Link: Swim Centers Make a Splash with Sustainable Strategies more
Architectural Record and San Francisco Chronicle Feature East Oakland Sports Center
Architectural Record’s March 2012 “Building for Social Change” issue features ELS’s East Oakland Sports Center in Oakland, California. Completed in June 2011, the 25,000-square-foot community sports, recreation, and aquatics center fulfills the low-income neighborhood’s longstanding desire for access to fitness and recreation opportunities. John King also profiles East Oakland Sports Center in the San Francisco Chronicle’s November 2, 2011 edition.… more
Clarence Mamuyac Named Fellow of the AIA
Clarence Mamuyac has been named a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects. Clarence leads the sports and recreation market sector for ELS, and he is responsible for the firm’s overall strategic marketing effort. In his time with the firm since 1981, he has extended the firm’s emphasis the interdependency of architecture and urban design. His body of work demonstrates… more