The nature of scientific collaboration is evolving from one of conducting research within departments to one that creates partnerships across departments/disciplines/institutions and, increasingly, context (academic, government, private industry). This type of interdisciplinary/multi-contextual collaboration has increased the pace of research and encouraged the development of innovative and groundbreaking strategies in investigating increasingly complex problems. Buildings from the 40’s - 90’s do not typically support this type of collaboration. For years, the emphasis in research labs was on bench, support and private office space providing no conference, meeting or social space required for an interdisciplinary team. The Minnich Lab renovation at Caltech looked at the department’s specific needs for collaboration and re-imagined the spaces to open them up and facilitate collaboration between groups.

The Minnich Nanotechnology Research Laser Lab was inserted into the existing 50 year old Keck Laboratory Building at the basement level. Professor Minnich not only conducts experiments, but because of the nature of his work, must also build the elements used in his experiments.  This required spaces to conduct experiments as well as spaces for tooling and manufacturing. AC Martin worked closely with the project team to integrate the proposed design into the existing structure and systems, including upgrades to systems as were required. New spaces include: optical lab, dry lab, wet lab with fume hood, and a sample prep area.

Designed for maximum views to the waterfront, Portico takes cues from the historic 9th Ave Terminal Building located within the specific plan and responds by adapting the proportions of the windows and monumentality of the base to this dynamic mixed use project. Additionally, given Oakland’s storied legacy as a waterfront city and powerhouse shipping port, the project also drew inspiration from the old lighthouse that was once located at the mouth of the harbor. The lens from the lighthouse had a distinct serrated profile as a way to amplify light. The project takes a contemporary interpretation of the lighthouse lens to provide distinct expression at key locations to create a beacon-like corner that faces the public park and adjacent promenade.

Las Dahlias is a vibrant transit-oriented, affordable multifamily project in East Los Angeles providing 78 apartment homes to low income or previously unhoused individuals and families. The four-story building is conveniently located on the Metro E line, connecting residents to job opportunities in downtown Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley. Las Dahlias includes a mix of studios, one- and two-bedroom units. Amenities include an onsite community center, rooftop verandas with gardens, a tot lot, and a forecourt plaza featuring a colorful mural by a local Boyle Heights native and emerging artist that captures the heart of East Los Angeles. Residents benefit from enrichment programs provided by Hope for Housing, and comprehensive case management for those who have experienced homelessness is provided by PATH.

The "K" Residence Hall provides Chapman University with on-campus housing for 400+ students. The new student housing is a key component to an integrated master plan which includes the adaptive reuse of the Villa Park Orchards Packing House built in 1918. The historic Packing House contains an exciting array of student services, academic uses and a museum. A subterranean open central courtyard acts as a circulation hub between the renovated packing house and new residence hall while providing a dynamic outdoor space for students to relax, study and socialize. The new residence hall is differentiated from existing structures on site by its contemporary design and use of exterior brick veneer accents, visually aligning it with other buildings on the Chapman campus. The building has a combination of metal sawtooth and flat roofs, recalling the roof forms of the Packing House.  To compliment the surrounding neighborhood’s agri-industrial context, the exterior walls are clad in metal siding at the upper levels and smooth troweled cement plaster at the lower levels.

Located at 11609 S. Western Avenue, Westhaven is an affordable housing project with support services that is situated on a narrow 0.9 acre lot just north of the 105 Century Freeway and across the street from Los Angeles Southwest College. This five-story building is designed in a contemporary architectural style with the concept of a sliding building mass, and articulated with varied joints and rhythms across the building façade. 

The project consists of 57 affordable apartment units, 28 of which are studios, and 28 one-bedrooms on floor levels 2 through 5. A single 2-bedroom unit is provided on the fifth level for the on-site property manager. 34 surface parking stalls are provided at the rear of the site including one van compliant handicap stall. This project was constructed in one phase after the demolition of an existing two-story residential structure.

Resident amenities on the ground level include a community space, computer room, laundry room and secured room for bike parking with 100 SF of space allocated for residents to service their own bikes. The community room is located at the rear of the building and directly adjacent to the outdoor community space, which provides a more quiet and private space for the residents. The property manager and case managers share secure offices located on the ground level facing the private drive, which enhances the security of the building entrance.

The Orthotics and Prosthetics Department is currently located off-campus in a 12,000 SF Los Alamitos office park, approximately 16 miles away from the CSUDH main campus in Carson. To address this issue, AC Martin designed a new 5,000 GSF Orthotics and Prosthetics Education Center to be built adjacent to the existing College of Continuing and Professional Education (CCPE) building. The new education center will house a megatronics lab, student lab, a maker space, clinical space, and shared resources for storage and deliverables. The O+P program will utilize existing classroom space in the CCPE building for lecture courses. CSUDH extensively studied how to bring the O+P program to the main campus, including scenarios for renovations, new construction, and nearby property purchases. However, the construction of a new O+P facility on campus yielded the most long-term operational savings as well as most closely meeting the needs of the program.

Bringing the O+P program back to the main campus provides many advantages, including closer connection to the College of Health and Human Development, College of Continuing and Professional Education, and University services and resources.

Located in the Van Nuys neighborhood in Los Angeles, CA this project will add workforce, affordable, and market-rate housing to the tightening Los Angeles housing market. It will have 332-units, which will feature 93 studios, 156 one-bedroom units, and 84 two-bedroom units. Each unit will have stainless steel kitchen appliances, stone countertops, and in-unit washers and dryers. Building amenities will include a rooftop deck, electric vehicle charging stations, a pool, outdoor lounge areas, and a dog park with washing stations. This project will be built in an Opportunity Zone and is within walking distance of mass transit options.

The new 600-student elementary school for Napa Valley Unified School District is a STEM magnet school. For the design of this project, special attention was paid to integrating curriculum needs for the diverse student population. The new campus is a short walk from the trails that run through the wetlands and along the Napa River, making it a perfect location for the students to supplement their STEM education.

The campus includes a Multi-purpose building, Library, Administrative building, 24 classrooms, as well as a Family Resource Center and Pre-school facilities. The Multi-purpose building and fields were designed as joint-use facilities as the site is in close vicinity to a City-developed wetlands education park.