d Santana - Architecture is a progressive Design and Project Management
firm, providing traditional Architectural Design services, as well as,
Master Planning, Program, Project and Construction Management.
The firm specializes in the following types of projects:
Educational
Institutional
Commercial
Industrial / Research and Development
Custom Residential
We are also expanding our list of services to include real estate feasibility
studies and site evaluations. These site evaluations have proven to be
valuable to our clients, helping them to determine the viability of potential
projects.
With nearly 30 years of professional experience as a Design Architect,
Mr. Santana has also served in the role of Project, Construction
and Program Manager(s). He has been involved with several significant
public works capital improvement programs and noteworthy private sector
projects. He is a licensed architect in the State of California (C21050), and
has designed or managed numerous types of projects in various phases of
development, from site selection and real estate acquisition; to
programming, design and construction. His professional experience
includes Project Management and architectural design for the 1992
Los Angeles County Health Facilities Expansion Program, as well as, serving
as Project Manager for the new design of the historic Hollywood Bowl and
the Long Beach Public Safety Building.
During his recent commission for the Los Angeles Unified School District
(LAUSD) New Construction Program, he managed and assisted with
Design for nearly 30 new LAUSD schools. His projects totaled
approximately $1.8 billion of construction costs.
For the past 20 years, Mr. Santana has served as Founding Principal for
d Santana - Architecture and d Santana Consulting Group.
Mr. Arjona is a graduate from the University of Southern California, (USC) and is involved with every aspect of project development including programming, agency coordination, design and construction document production. Bernardo leads our Revit and BIM efforts, and provides our design team with the required images of project designs for project development.
Ms. Anaya is a graduate from Los Angeles Harbor College, and serves as the
President of the Student AIA South Bay Chapter. Betzy assists with every
aspect of project development, from marketing assignments, to agency
coordination, design and construction document production. Betzy is
prolific in AutoCad drawing and assists with production of many company
graphic designs.
Project Name:
Beacon International K-8 School
and Compound
Client:
YesWeServe, Long Beach, CA
Project Type:
Location
Ghana, West Africa
Size:
Four Acre Hillside Site K-8 School providing classrooms for each grade, library, playgrounds,
amphitheater, and guest
living quarters.
Project Description:
YesWeServe, a non-profit organization based in Long Beach, CA,
commissioned dSantana-Architecture to design a 64 bed campus for an
orphanage in Mexicali, Mexico.
The design utilizes prototype buildings which provide 16 beds for 8
male and 8 female residents. The building floor plans include common
dining areas, computer stations and a learning center. The campus
amenities including a swimming pool, a basketball court, a central
courtyard, a community garden and a fish farm. The site also includes
a souvenir store at the entry gate, as well as, a taco stand at the
perimeter.
Allesandro Street Residences
Dean Flowers
Project Location:
Silverlake, CA
Feasibility Study
dSantana Architecture was commissioned to assess the viability of the currently proposed layout. During our assessment of the site, it was brought to our attention that there is a strong concern from the local community regarding the impact of a housing development on the site.
With this in consideration, we implemented various sustainable elements and created building pads that would minimize the impact on the site and create a park that would give back to the community.
In this feasibility study, we have provided the client with several new options.
Church on Melrose
Los Angeles, CA
The new, 3-story mixed-use building incorporates open areas immediately surrounding it by creating a small ground floor kitchen with a large, covered open space surrounding it. In addition, the residential floor has a balcony bordering its two sides which overlook these open areas.
The shifting of the floors serves to create these open conditions, and the remnant spaces form a circulation core and a plumbing core to service the structure.
Architectural Design
dSantana Architecture is a full service architectural design and project management firm. We provide our clients with a comprehensive list of design services, tailored to meet their specific needs and project dynamics. These services include:
Program Development
Site Selection and Analysis
Project Feasibility and Analysis
Project Design
Schematic
Design Development
Construction Documents
Construction Administration
Project Scheduling
Space Planning and Interior Design
As-Built Surveying and Analysis
Computer Aided Design and 3d Modeling and Rendering
Project Management Services
dSantana Architecture has experienced staff to serve our clients as Owner's Authorized Representative (OAR) and our comprehensive project management services encompass all phases of project development from assessment, to conceptual through completion.
Our team will ensure that our clients projects are completed in the timeliest and most cost effective manner. Further, our Project Management services will be formulated and structured to meet the unique requirements and dynamics of each of our clients needs and for their specific project. Our comprehensive list of Project Management services includes:
Feasibility Analysis If required, we will research and prepare a comprehensive report to assist our clients in determining if their envisioned construction project will meet their objectives. These efforts will include assessing initial project assumptions; programmatic and space allocations; budget assumptions; production of viable options and alternatives, as well as practical information that will make building decisions more informed and better appraised.
Logistics Planning - From early issues such as temporary site protection, demolition, or site clearing to construction phase requirements, we will assist in this planning necessary to ensure an uninterrupted work flow.
Contractor Evaluation & Prequalification - We advise pre-qualifying construction contractors relative to financial capability, experience with your particular design characteristics, and overall past performance.
Construction Contract Bid & Award Administration - Working with the design entity, we will develop construction contractor bid documents based on American Institute of Architects (AIA) or Association of General Contractors (AGC) standards which could be issued to assist with General Contractor prequalification. Subsequently, we will analyze the bids for accuracy and completeness, correlate the bids to an equitable standard, and present a package of the bids for review.
Permit Coordination - We will assist the owner and design team with the governmental agency approvals and assist in expediting the permitting process.
dSantana Architecture can conduct feasibility studies to help property owners, developers and lenders make informed decisions by providing critical information about a specific concept or project. These decisions include assessments on new construction, redevelopment or renovation of an existing facility, as well as, reuse of underutilized or abandoned facilities.
Further, our firm can assist with site selection feasibility studies which provide our clients with a snapshot of potential development options as acquisition of real estate strategies are being studied and formulated. Working with our clientele as feasibility consultants allows us to generate related project information that can be provided quickly and presented as a comprehensive summation of numerous analyses required to determine the viability of a project.
Utilization of feasibility studies expedites the analysis and assessment of the potential success of various project types, while minimizing the investment of all-inclusive architectural design and related professional services. The use of feasibility studies allow our clients to maximize limited resources while receiving comprehensive information required to assist with project development.
Building Modeling Information
d Santana - Architecture utilizes the most current of design tools, and
currently employs Revit as our main drawing platform. The program
provides our designers with instant 3 Dimensional Images, and our
firm is a strong advocate of Building Modeling Information (BIM) as an
implementation resource.
The use of BIM assists our design team and engineering consultants to
coordinate all design disciplines in a three dimensional manner,
thereby, minimizing potential construction conflicts at the job site,
and the subsequent costly change order. The program also provides preliminary
cost estimates and construction assembly quantities.
Building information modeling (BIM) is a buzzword in the AEC industry, but is it hype or
substantive? First, one must understand that BIM is not just 3-D. BIM is a virtual simulation of
the construction and performance of a building prior to the physical construction. Academia
raves about the potential impact in reducing waste and optimizing value, but BIM has been
around for years. Is it just theory? No. BIM is very real and everyone needs to prepare for the
eminent technological revolution facing the construction industry.
The term BIM was first coined by Autodesk, makers of a leading BIM design tool, Revit Architecture, and AutoCad. The technology originally was created to improve the production of documentation for architects. Changes to the design that previously required the modification of each instance affected, potentially hundreds of files, now are reduced to changing a single model. The plans are plotted by simply arranging "camera" angles around the 3-D geometry.
But it is the "I" in BIM that will have a substantial impact on the industry. A building information model is 3-D geometry tied to a database such that the model can contain much more than just visual information. For example, the lines that represent a concrete column are grouped and "know" that they represent an object. Object data can be stored such as the psi of concrete, quantity of concrete and rebar, location of construction joints, cost information (4-D), and scheduling related data (5-D).
For many contractors, clash detection is the low hanging fruit and entry point to BIM. Programs such as Navisworks and Solibri allow the user to import models from different trades into a single environment and automatically show all collisions (i.e., where the ductwork intersects the fire protection system). Clash detection enhances the level of coordination and allows contractors to perform substantially more prefabrication and less onsite adjustments.
The capability beyond clash detection is where it really gets interesting. If the model knows the quantities and types of materials, can it estimate costs? Indirectly, yes. Today, many contractors are using bridging technologies, such as Innovaya and QTO, to pull the quantities from the model into Microsoft Excel or their estimating system. This does not mean that estimators will be displaced by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, experienced estimators who understand the technology will become more valuable because they can spend their time on the analytical side, not in counting parts. The technology can provide the construction industry with the data, but it still requires knowledge to be leveraged.
Other capabilities are potential game changers for architects, owners, and contractors alike. Imagine a data-rich, manufacturer-specific model. Accurate predictions can be made for energy performance, carbon footprint, building code compliance, operating costs, and construction costs. Automatic generation of specs, shop drawings, and even computeraided
manufacturing also are possible. Problems caused by not having the latest set of plans can become a thing of the past. Imagine that everyone has access to the model over the Internet, not an outdated, printed copy of the plans. Contractors can even access the BIM in the field with handheld computers and software, such as the technology offered by Vela Systems. Imagine a renovation project in the future when you are provided an as-built BIM detailing every system behind the drywall, masonry, and concrete.
There is little doubt that this will change the way construction is delivered, but there are some hurdles to clear before the industry will experience many of the true benefits. Recent surveys have shown that approximately 40% of the ENR top 400 contractors are using BIM on more than 10% of their work. Most contractors are creating their own models because (1) the
architect is not sharing or doesn't have a model, or (2) they can't use or do not trust the data coming from the architect's model (i.e., slabs with no construction joints, incomplete models, etc.). The traditional responsibilities of the contractor and architect can become blurred easily and new delivery models, such as Integrated Project Delivery (IPD), are emerging.
There are certainly technical challenges to overcome, as well as compatibility between the different software applications and standards for how BIM objects are modeled and organized. Industry organizations such as the AGC BIMForum, the American Institute of Architects, and the buildingSMART alliance work to define the standards and identify the best practices as the technology evolves. The technical issues will be solved over time as more adopt the technology and other technical challenges surface.
The economy also is having an effect on the adoption of the technology, but not in the direction that you might think. With an influx in competition, many contractors are leveraging the technology as a differentiator. Economic slowdowns historically have had a positive impact on efficiency due to strategic decision making, as opposed to the more tactical nature of the business during busy times. Contractors looking to learn more and implement BIM into their business can start with education through various trade associations. The Associated General Contractors of America, Associated Builders and Contractors, The American Society of Plumbing Engineers, Construction Management Association of America, and the Design-Build Institute of America all offer classes and/or Webinar informational sessions on the topic of
BIM.
The bottom line is that this technology is not going away. Every owner, general contractor, consultant, engineer, designer, supplier, and subcontractor need to be aware of the eminent impact on their business. There will be a disruptive effect on the industry as a whole creating many new opportunities and creating a need for change. Companies not in touch with these technological changes risk being overtaken by competitors.
Andy O'Nan is the director of marketing and new business for Beck Technology Ltd., a BIM software development and consultancy company.
If you would like to browse our marketing profile, please click on the link below to download the pdf.
dSantana Architecture Marketing Profile
(April 13, 2010) -- Architect David Santana's Virginia Country Club-based firm, dSantana - Architecture, marked its 20th anniversary recently with exactly the degree of fanfare you'd expect from a man whose career seems to have been forged by holding himself and others to higher standards -- which is to say, not very much fanfare at all.
Sure, there were mariachis -- a trio of women in traditional charro costume, who didn't need amps to be heard from Santana's new studio, behind his classic 1940s Spanish-style house -- and tacos and horchata catered by El Chuy.
There were speeches, from folks connected in some way to Santana's career; and yes, if you asked, the man himself would tell you with pride that he'd worked on the vaunted Hollywood Bowl update from a few years back.
But that's about where any self-congratulation began and ended; the evening was less about Santana's early work, on the '84 Olympics, and his design time at Los Angeles Unified School District than it was about what lies ahead.
What's next for Santana, or perhaps his highest-profile projects, are a series of buildings aimed squarely at giving back.
There are the two Craftsman-style houses in downtown that he's collaborating on with Habitat for Humanity. There's the YesWeServe Beacon International School and Compound, in distant Ghana, Africa -- a redesign of a kindergarten-eighth grade school already partially built.
And there's a prototype for a YesWeServe orphanage that could replace the group's existing orphanage in Mexicali, Mexico -- or serve as a ready-made design anywhere in the world -- a project that would have a new sense of timeliness and urgency, after the Mexican earthquake the very next afternoon.
Guests, a little wowed, couldn't pick a favorite project among them -- even those like Santana's longtime renderer, artist Howard Huizing -- but then, it wasn't that kind of night, either.
"I don't know that I can pick just one project. What stands out to me is the way he approaches a particular project, the way he understands the underlying objective and that becomes the focus of the design," said Huizing, who's done renderings of many Santana projects. "He won't talk too much about a blue sky--some clients are like that. He wants me to understand the whole process behind it."
Or maybe Santana himself said it best, a few days earlier -- as workers struggled to finish his studio on time (they did). The topic was his redesign of the Ghana school, and why -- despite bringing in principles common to American school design, such as separate playgrounds for larger and smaller children--the design featured older, traditional African architecture prominently.
Look around you, Santana explained, recalling his conversation with project officials.
"I said 'That's impressive,' he said, "'but I don't see Africa in that.'"
Africa is there now--along with a nod to the traditional American cultural icon of one-room school houses.
"I designed the first grade like one of those old-time school houses," Santana said, "the old red school house."
Sounds like he has more than enough ideas for the next 20 years.
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