Derivi Construction & Architecture

Derivi Construction & Architecture AN ARCHITECTURAL COMMUNITY

For principal Linda Derivi and her husband and coprincipal Steve Castellanos, belief in community is of the utmost important and their commitment to this has set DCA apart in the California region.

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DERIVI CONSTRUCTION & ARCHITECTURE

by Joel Cornell

For DCA principal Linda Derivi and her husband and co-principal Steve Castellanos, a belief in their city and local area is of the utmost importance.

“It is our shared conviction,” said Derivi, “that the physical environment can positively influence people, whatever their age, gender and socio-economic standing.”

This commitment to community has set Derivi Construction & Architecture apart in the California region. Located in Stockton, Calif., DCA has dedicated itself to building the community to new and higher standards, both literally and figuratively.

Steve Castellanos, a graduate of California Polytechnic State University, and Linda Derivi,

a graduate of UC Berkeley, met when they were both 22 and on their way to becoming licensed architects.

“We were both constantly driving between Sacramento, Modesto, Stockton, and Berkeley, training and studying for our licensing exams, and eventually we crossed paths. We married 8 years later in 1979 and established our own firm that same year,” said Derivi.

“Both of us had been working in the Stockton area for some time,” said Derivi. “After we graduated in the early 1970s, we tried to get jobs in the San Francisco Bay Area and San Luis Obispo during a recession, so we both wound up maintaining our jobs with local firms in Stockton.

THIS PAGE & OPPOSITE: In-Shape Health Health Clubs, Inc., West Lane location. From left to right: front lobby, free weights room, outdoor pool. DCA has performed work for In-Shape Health Clubs, Inc. in Bakersfield, Concord, Manteca, Monterey, Santa Maria, Lompoc, Visalia, Vacaville, Pittsburg, and four locations in Stockton. Featured is the premier club In-Shape West Lane in Stockton.

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“In consulting to clients, they may be starting with something as simple as their basic concept. From there, we can guide them to an ideal site, create the best possible budget for their needs and guide them through the entire process.”

ABOVE: In-Shape Health Health Clubs, Inc., West Lane location. Featured is the outdoor pool of the premier club In-Shape West Lane in Stockton.

OPPOSITE PAGE: DCA Office.

The office of Derivi Construction & Architecture is located within a mixeduse area of central Stockton, CA, along a pedestrian corridor complete with local shops and restaurants. The office was converted from an existing house and shops to a two-level office space, including a backyard for staff to relax and a garage for archives. AIA Award Winner. Adaptive Re-Use/Restoration.

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“The jobs and environment weren’t as glamorous as they might have been in the Bay Area, but they were extremely valuable in terms of learning and developing our skills with architects who owned their own companies.

Our work was with well-established, smart business people specializing in the multifaceted, multi-project types that we eventually saw ourselves evolving to”.

Derivi Castellanos Architects continued until 2000, when California Governor Gray Davis appointed Castellanos to the office of State Architect. Because of conflict of interest, Castellanos removed his name from the company. However, the scope of DCA had expanded greatly since its inception. With both principals Derivi and Castellanos being licensed contractors as well as licensed architects, Derivi Castellanos Architects became

Derivi Construction & Architecture.

“It’s been a great benefit to have been so involved in Stockton for so many years,” said Derivi.

Stockton is one of only two deep water inland ports in the state. Its location makes it perfect for the transfer of the area’s tremendous agricultural bounty and many other natural resources to the rest of the world. This access to other Pacific Rim countries in Asia and South America has also given rise to a multi-ethnic population, diverse in interest and culture.

“While some may see this as problematic,” said Derivi, “it lends an extremely exciting challenge to those of us who are designing for the community’s many population groups.”

The portfolio of DCA reflects the diversity of their community. From commercial, educa-

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DEHART, INC Soon the doors to In-Shape Sport: Modesto will open; offering families a cutting-edge fitness center in an expansive and newly remodeled 38,000-square-foot center. As a key component of the design build team, DeHart Inc. of Modesto, California developed heating, air conditioning, and ventilation systems for the renovation of the over 50 year-old building. The center’s two indoor pools required a sophisticated ventilation system that would prevent the evaporation and condensation from the many gallons of water. DeHart Inc. has extensive 6 Architecture Leaders Today

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“Our firm can be the sole point of contact for a client from beginning to end.”

tion, civic, healthcare and residential work to street beautification projects, landscaping and religious centers, DCA has maintained a team that is capable of a wide variety of design and construction pursuits.

In K-12 Education, DCA has assisted numerous school districts throughout California, with services ranging from planning and programming assistance to full service architectural design services. Recently, DCA provided design services to a local elementary school to assist in the construction of raised garden beds outfitted with drip irrigation systems, along with outdoor tables to function as an outdoor classroom. This community garden will serve as a hands-on learning environment

to teach young children about the benefits of urban agriculture.

“This has helped enhance the aesthetics of the grounds,” said Derivi, “and also helps kids understand the cycle of food production, which is especially vital in this area. Technically, Stockton schools are ‘urban’, yet we are surrounded by a huge valley that grows virtually everything except pineapple and provides produce across the country and around the world.”

DCA also has years of experience working with Higher Educational facilities, including the University of the Pacific, California State University Stanislaus and a recently completed campus addition for Humphreys College.

THIS PAGE & OPPOSITE: Humphreys College Main Campus expansion. The 22,000 sq. ft. expansion of the Humphreys College campus in Stockton includes a new law library, mock courtroom, boardroom, classrooms, a computer lab, and faculty and administration offices. A new central plaza offers an outdoor space for students and staff to gather and can accommodate 1000 seated for graduation ceremonies.

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“It’s really interesting to see the new ideas that children can bring to design. It’s really important to our city and our future to help our children broaden their horizons at every occasion.”

ABOVE: Kaiser Permanente Stockton Medical Office Building Food Services.

A new amenity space for Kaiser staff, members, and visitors was carved out of an existing conference room and staff break room. The adjacent terrace not only brings in natural light but also offers both indoor and outdoor dining space.

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Healthcare is another major component of DCA’s portfolio, and since 1995 DCA has completed over one hundred projects for Kaiser Permanente, one of the nation’s leading nonprofit integrated health plans with numerous facilities throughout the West Coast. Commercial projects form another important market sector, and DCA is able to respond to project opportunities with a strong understanding of the needs of the client whether it be a new building, remodeling, interior design, or landscape design.

Transportation is another key market sector that DCA has been involved with for almost twenty years, and past work has included highway improvements, street beautification projects, railway grade separations and large freeway interchange improvements.

Because of their wide scope of abilities, DCA is able to guide clients along every step of their project, despite the complexities involved.

“In consulting with clients, we find that they may be starting with something as simple as

their core concept or purpose for the project,” said Derivi. “From there, we can guide them to an ideal site, create the best possible budget for their needs and guide them through the entire design and construction process. We can manage all the contracts, evaluations, fees and loans, etc. We can create their preliminary designs, establish working teams, draw up the necessary construction documents, handle the contracting directly; everything down to the landscaping and interior design is done in one place.

“Our firm can be the sole point of contact for a client from beginning to end,” she said.

With a staff of 12, DCA manages to fit many specialized talents under one roof. DCA employs four licensed architects, including Derivi and Castellanos, who are also licensed contractors. Two of their designers are also LEED Accredited Professionals, and David Harrington, licensed Landscape Architect, has been on their staff for 18 years. Derivi is also a certified interior designer.

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