SUSTAINABLE DESIGN
SUSTAINABLE DESIGN
OCA’s mission is to provide quality, specialized, practical and cost effective solutions to address our client’s architectural and engineering design needs. Our objective is to provide maximum value to our clients by utilizing our team’s expertise in the area of project planning, development of contract documents and construction administration. Our perspective and approach to our craft is that we are business people first and architects second or business people who focus on the business of architecture. This is instrumental in our approach to architecture and ultimately the reason why we strive to create maximum value for our clients. Further, OCA seeks to create a diverse work force that will be equipped to compete both nationally and globally. We are committed to attracting the best people and providing them with an environment and structure that allows for and encourages limitless professional and personal growth opportunities as well as a share in the prosperity of the firm.
OCA’s mission is to provide quality, specialized, practical and cost effective solutions to address our client’s architectural and engineering design needs. Our objective is to provide maximum value to our clients by utilizing our team’s expertise in the area of project planning, development of contract documents and construction administration. Our perspective and approach to our craft is that we are business people first and architects second or business people who focus on the business of architecture. This is instrumental in our approach to architecture and ultimately the reason why we strive to create maximum value for our clients. Further, OCA seeks to create a diverse work force that will be equipped to compete both nationally and globally. We are committed to attracting the best people and providing them with an environment and structure that allows for and encourages limitless professional and personal growth opportunities as well as a share in the prosperity of the firm.
OCA’s mission is to provide quality, specialized, practical and cost effective solutions to address our client’s architectural and engineering design needs. Our objective is to provide maximum value to our clients by utilizing our team’s expertise in the area of project planning, development of contract documents and construction administration. Our perspective and approach to our craft is that we are business people first and architects second or business people who focus on the business of architecture. This is instrumental in our approach to architecture and ultimately the reason why we strive to create maximum value for our clients. Further, OCA seeks to create a diverse work force that will be equipped to compete both nationally and globally. We are committed to attracting the best people and providing them with an environment and structure that allows for and encourages limitless professional and personal growth opportunities as well as a share in the prosperity of the firm.
SUSTAINABLE DESIGN
Alpha House
ALPHA HOUSE
Alpha Alpha Lambda Community Development incorporated, plans to develop 5 vacant parcels: 2 corner lots and 3 mid-block lots, that will be acquired from the City of Newark, and wishes to provide a central, amenity rich community space that would serve the neighboring communities and provide the organization with space for their functions. OCA was retained to analyze options for the sites and provide options for the best and highest use. The amenities that were desired included community multi-purpose space, a fitness center, incubator kitchen, private and convertible office space and a private rooftop space and garden.
After studying several options, it was determined that constructing a new 3-story building on the corner lots with the community space and fitness center on the basement and ground levels with the office spaces on the upper two stories, was the most practical approach. The 3 mid-block lots, will be used to provide parking for the proposed building.
To satisfy the City of Newark's planning requirements, the designers at OCA proposed a handful of different colors and textures for the façade while also creating contrasting volumes to promote visual interest. We envisioned the modern "front porch" as a compelling identity statement for Alpha House.
The proposed multi-functioning building, would provide much needed support to local organizations and small businesses as well as the community at large, including nearby colleges.
