Arch Tour Fest: Santa Monica Proper Hotel | 12:30PM

Photo Credit: Tim Street-Porter

Arch Tour Fest: Santa Monica Proper Hotel | 12:30PM

Arch Tour Fest – Full List of Tours Here

This is an in-person tour. Attendees will be required to show proof of vaccination. Please read and check the agreement and safety boxes in the registration. Additional information regarding the tour and check-in process will be emailed directed to registrants 24 hours before the event. Tickets are non-transferable.

Architecture Firms: Howard Laks Architects and Chattel Inc.

CES Learning Units: 1 LU

Tickets Available Below & Passes Available Here

This unique project was 15 years in planning and execution and carried out under a 2012 Development Agreement with the City of Santa Monica. The goal of the project was to convert an existing Landmark building into 55 guestrooms with ground floor restaurant and retail to support a new 271 guestroom hotel with supporting rooftop amenities, conference, banquet and food & beverage service.

The Landmark building (1928) was originally designed as a medical building and converted into commercial office space in the 1950’s. This historic resource was rehabilitated and combined with a contemporary addition to become a luxury hotel including street-level retail and restaurants.

The architectural concept and vision were first conceived in 2005 when the Landmark building was designated as a City Landmark. This historic resources created inspiration and a design approach to introduce and differentiate the character-defining angular forms of the Landmark building by its juxtaposed free-form cast-in-place & glass curves of the new building. While similar in massing and scale, the new building becomes a backdrop to the Landmark building, contrasting with its form and continuing in relevance. The new building makes no pretense of historicism, nor does it mimic the elegant Spanish Colonial Revival architecture of the Landmark building.

The architecture provides the best of adaptive reuse, urban infill, and a sensitive approach toward rehabilitation of the historical features found within the original structure. This focused and collaborated effort has contributed a fresh and innovative perspective of modern and preservation architecture within the City of Santa Monica’s Downtown District.

The tour outlines an overview of the complex entitlement process, identifies character defining features and rehabilitation of the Landmark building, explore the unique architectural forms and interiors of the contemporary addition and challenging construction techniques and delivery.

Design & Executive Architect: Howard Laks Architects
Historic Preservation: Chattel, Inc.
Interior Design: Kelly Wearstler
Landscape Architects: Elysian Landscape
Owner: Maxser and Company
Developer: The Kor Group
General Contractor: Morley Builders
Structural Engineer: Saiful/Bouquet (New Building)
Structural Engineer: Structural Focus (Landmark Building)
MEP: Donald F. Dickerson Associates

Tour Led by:

Howard Laks, AIA – Design & Executive Architect
Howard Laks, AIA, Principal and founder of Howard Laks Architects has practiced architecture in the LA area for over 30 years. His contribution to the vibrant and ongoing movement of contemporary Southern California architecture is visible throughout the LA region. The firm is most recognized for their ability to compose solutions responsive to the building site, environmental determinants, historic preservation including adaptive reuse and cultural significant structures. Mr. Laks received his Bachelor of Architecture in 1977 and his Master of Architecture in 1980 from UC Berkeley School of Architecture. He served as an Associate Professor at UC Berkeley, College of Environmental Design from 1978 through 1980 and a member of the design faculty at the UCLA Interior and Environmental Design Extension Program between 1981 and 2012. He served on the City of Santa Monica Architectural Review Board from 1996-2004, and Chairperson from 2001-2002. The firm has received numerous accolades and design awards including AIALA Next LA, Los Angeles Business Council, Santa Monica Conservancy President’s Award, West Side Urban Forum and the Los Angeles Conservancy.

Robert Jay Chattel, AIA – President, Chattel, Inc.
Both a licensed general contractor and architect in California with more than 30 years’ experience in planning, design and construction, Robert Chattel’s unique qualifications include meeting the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualifications Standards in Architectural History and Historic Architecture. Robert has experience working for non-profit, government, and for-profit entities, including the Los Angeles Conservancy, Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles and a private real estate developer. He holds a B.A. in Architecture from U.C. Berkeley and a M.S. in Historic Preservation from Columbia University. In 1994, he established Chattel, Inc. From its office in Los Angeles, the firm works on design collaboration, environmental review and preservation policy projects in the western United States. As President, Robert specializes in applying the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties and interpreting federal, state and local historic preservation law and regulations. Robert and his firm have received awards from the California Preservation Foundation, Los Angeles Conservancy, American Planning Association, and the City of Los Angeles for projects ranging from preservation of the Beverly Hills Waterworks (the subject of his master’s thesis) to stabilization of the Breed Street Shul in east Los Angeles, and rehabilitation of the downtown Los Angeles Central Library.

Ryan Hupf – Vice President, Morley Builders
Joining Morley Builders in 1999, Ryan Hupf has over 20 years of industry experience. As Vice President, Project Executive, his responsibilities include operational guidance and leadership for the firm’s construction operations. He has overseen complex and notable projects throughout Southern California, such as the world-renowned Getty Villa renovation, Packard Humanities Institute’s Film Archive and Preservation Center, and Los Angeles’ iconic Hotel Bel-Air. Ryan leads the financial, schedule, and staff development aspects across multiple projects, with experience totaling over $1 billion and 4.5 million gross square feet of construction. He is active in spearheading Morley’s recruitment efforts, continuing to shape Morley Builders as one of the preeminent leaders in the construction industry. Ryan holds a B.S. in Construction Management from the University of Washington and a Certificate in Advanced Leadership and Management from the UCLA Anderson School of Management.

Learning Objectives:
+ Participants will learn the entitlement process associated with a Development Agreement, community outreach, negotiated zoning modifications and community benefits.
+ Participants will understand program requirements for a full service hotel, interior & exterior circulation, project design determinants including compliance to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards as it relates to an addition of a historic resource, scale, form, fenestration and differentiation.
+ Participants will explore research and conservation efforts necessary to execute a well-documented and successful adaptive reuse project.
+ Participants will learn how collaboration between the project design team and City reviewers can facilitate reimaging a historic resource. Recognize how compatible new infill construction coupled with historic preservation achieves commercial revitalization and economic development.
+ Participants will learn about deep below grade excavation directly adjacent to historical landmark buildings.
+ Participants will learn about design criteria for rooftop pool and cast-in-place concrete.