New City Hall Has a Green Future and a Unique Architectural Design

The Laguna Niguel City Council had a big decision to make when choosing an architectural firm to help design the . Ultimately, it chose LPA Inc., an Irvine- based pioneer in the sustainable building movement.

"This building is truly a work of art. I do not usually get emotional over architecture, but I did over this design,” said Mayor Gary Capata at the of the building on Oct. 15.

Laguna Niguel City Hall was designed as a streamlined abstraction of the Spanish style buildings that define the architectural nature of Laguna Niguel, said Rick D’Amato, lead designer of the project.

LPA Inc., also took into careful consideration the visual aspect of the building and how it would be viewed from the street level. The exterior of City Hall was built to transition smoothly from the interior to the building’s inner courtyard that connects the lobby to the council chambers.

The building is also cost-efficient since it is equipped with the latest renewable energy and

For example, s were mounted on the roof to help reduce energy costs by up to 19 percent according to Jim Maclay, the energy service director at LPA Inc.

The form of the building was also determined by the presence of natural light and how it could be used to brighten up the inside of the building, D’Amato said.

Occupancy sensors were installed throughout so that lights turn off automatically when a room is unoccupied. LED lights were also installed as well as window shades to help moderate the building’s heat gain.

“This connection to the environment as well as a strong sense of local history creates a solution which is unique to the city and the community,” D’Amato said.

Here are some more fast facts about the City Hall:

Architecture nuggets from LPA Managing Principal Jim Wirick:

• The Laguna Niguel City Hall is, at once, new and yet familiar.
• The very basic tenets of mission architecture are present in the thickened, buff colored plaster walls, rhythmic arches, and red-tiled roofs.
• Other elements are more contemporary. The arcade is pulled away from the building, the bell tower has become a clock tower, and the tiled mosaics are gathered at the main entry to receive visitors to a very modern building.
• Similarities can be found with the Orange Library and Rancho Santa Margarita City Hall and Community Center, coincidentally, also designed by LPA.
• Most Mission-style architecture in this region has its origins in the San Juan Capistrano Mission.

Landscape Nuggets: From LPA Landscape Architect Gus Puertas:

• The official city tree, the Jacaranda tree, is used throughout. Look for it at the entry drive, on the slopes, and behind the monument sign.
• Ninety-five percent of the landscape is drought tolerant.
• Sixteen pear trees were brought in all the way from Oregon, to spruce up the city’s digs.

Energy Efficiency Nuggets: Contributed by LPA Energy Services Director Jim Maclay, Ph.D.:

• The 72-kilowatt solar photovoltaic array will offset almost 20 percent of the facility’s power needs.
• The array will save the city about $16,000 each year, in electricity costs.
• The building will save 930 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) over its lifetime, the equivalent of taking 29 cars off the road in Laguna Niguel.

Construction Nuggets: Contributed by C.W. Driver Project Manager Dave Amundson:

• 4.14 acres of land
• 25,000 cubic yards of dirt (exported during the project)
• 3,600 cubic yards of concrete
• 630 tons of steel
• One clay tile roof, a rare feature considering the tiles are made of actual, genuine clay.
• Dave’s favorite, unique features? The preamble wall, the history walk, and the 65-foot clock tower, of course.