Projects

Granada Theater

Granada Theater

.

Location:  Morgan Hill, CA

Year:  Completed in 2016

.

The Historic Granada theater was built in 1940 in a modified moderne style. Constructed of masonry the building provided a place  for live theater as well as films in a wide open space. Over the years, in an effort to make it more viable, the theater space was divided into two spaces by a full height central wall creating two small theaters. The theater operated until 2005 when it was sold to a developer who left it vacant for 10 years..

The challenge in 2015 was to save this historic landmark that was slated for demolition in the downtown.

Next door to the theater was a shop that had operated as a cigar and wine shop. The two buildings were divided by a masonry wall. The design was challenging in the structural integration of the two spaces to create a full service theater, banquet space and associated bar and restaurant kitchen and the overall structural retrofit and accessibility design for the main hall space.

The interior floor was raised up to two feet in some areas to meet accessibility and the restrooms were redesigned to accommodate accessibility while retaining some of the original quirky layout. A fun and challenging project, we are thankful that Frank Leal purchased the building and went all in on the redesign and retrofit as well as keeping a renovated GRANADA sign and the wonderful curved entry at the transition to the sidewalk as well as enhancing the lobby.

Save

Save

Gilroy Chamber of Commerce

Located at 7471 Monterey Road and with a membership of 725+ businesses, the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce has been forming alliances to create a strong, local economy since 1952. The Chamber building, unfortunately, was in need of an update to more accurately reflect the organization’s vibrant presence in the community.

Public buildings should have a visitor-friendly façade that blends harmoniously into the streetscape. The existing façade of the Chamber did not meet basic design objectives for public storefronts, which need to reach out to the community. The blank, closed-off street entrance seemed forboding and unwelcoming. Further, it seemed out of place in scale and style, lacking sensitivity to its environment. In its existing state, the building was not a benefit to the Chamber of Commerce’s public image nor a good neighbor to the surrounding businesses.

One major element that the façade required was fenestration. Windows open up a building to the outside, making it seem friendly and accessible.

Weston Miles Architects’ main goal was to open up the front of the building, allowing the Chamber to effectively show the public who they are. New windows help draw people into the building, and a main lobby provides a pleasant reception area. A new public bulletin space helps communicate important and exciting news to onlookers. Similarly, new signage helped the building stand confidently in the street. Finally, updating colors and materials reflected a better understanding of the street’s historic character, and signifies a good relationship with its neighbors.