Encina Wastewater Facility

Architectural Solution

A needs assessment—in conjunction with Encina staff participation—identified necessary facilities; provided first steps toward budgeting, design, and construction; and established detailed references throughout the design process. The design emphasized informal meeting spaces, environments with natural light, and a multi-use boardroom/training room. Results located the Operations Building with ocean views and exterior spaces introduced throughout. A multi-use boardroom and a closed session room occupy a one-story wing. The glass lobby buffers this, connecting with administration, operations control, and the south wellness/locker rooms. The laboratories and lunchroom with adjacent dining terrace offering spectacular ocean views, and comprise the second floor. Intersecting the lobby, an uninterrupted balcony walkway defines the building’s main pedestrian spine. In like manner, a central gallery divides the Maintenance Building, and serves pedestrian circulation from the Operations Building to staff parking. Machine shops with drive-through access are to the east; offices and meeting spaces to the west, reducing the building’s scale from the street. The structure encases an existing pump station. The architect designed structures to existing context and character.