CIVIC ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN
Firm Profile
OVERVIEW
Carrier Johnson + Culture (CJ+C) is an international architecture, interior design, landscape architecture and planning firm creating individualized solutions for the built environment. Founded in 1977, we have over 45 years of success designing worldwide. Our work is seen everywhere from Southern California to Virginia; Guangzhou to Portland. Our design practice is based on the convergence of design disciplines, which helps our clients, and their organizations, capitalize on their essentials: defining who they are and what makes them successful. Our design teams work in partnership with our clients to help define their unique attributes and translate them into built space, communicating their message through a physical expression of their culture
ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY
We think critically and creatively about how beautiful designs can perform better for their users, owners, and the planet. Towards our goals of resilience, utility and beauty for the modern age. We do this through an Integrated Design approach, which entails collaborating with clients and industry partners to explore project performance goals and options early in the design process to ensure that sustainability, resilience, and energy savings are holistically weaved into the design vision. Carrier Johnson has coordinated LEED Certification on 59 projects across three states. As signatories of the AIA 2030 Commitment program, our firm has pledged to significantly reduce our use of natural resources, non-renewable energy sources and waste production while simultaneously promoting the regeneration of natural resources.
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
We believe that the quality of our work is stronger when it’s influenced by and catered to the experiences of many people. Our firm thrives on the unique diversity of communities our projects serve and colorful backgrounds of our team members, who come to us from around the word. As such, we strive to incorporate the views and needs of all demographics and user groups in our work. With each project, we investigate the ethical, physical, economic and cultural implications of our design decisions on the community, environment, end users, and industry, guided by a
EXPERTISE
Architecture
Interior Design
Landscape Architecture
Planning
KEY PRACTICE AREAS
Public Corporate
Higher Education
Multi-Family / Mixed-Use
Science & Technology
LOCATIONS
San Diego
Los Angeles
Seattle
Atlanta
CERTIFICATIONS
USGBC LEED
WELL Building Standard
ILFI
Fitwell
Culture
The word culture represents our passion to pursue that which represents the unique qualities of a given project. Our core belief is that understanding people and their culture lies at the heart of strong design thinking. We believe an organization’s culture defines its unique offerings; it is what sets every project apart and it is our passion to find it, invoke it, and realize it in built form.
Culture is the catalyst for all we do.
SO HOW DO WE DO IT?
We seek clarity of concept before anything else.
We are driven by a search for curated architectural outcomes through research-based client engagement. We strive to not only elicit a “wow” factor in our designs but also to reveal the genuine spirit of a people and place, thus arriving at a design solution befitting that specific environment. We don’t just craft solutions derived from traditional design elements. Material choice is informed by vernacular landscapes; massing is informed by nextdoor neighbors; color is informed by emotional connections.
WHY DO WE USE THIS APPROACH?
There’s a natural tendency to spend more energy making a building meaningful when we understand the end user wholly, and what they represent and need. We spend concentrated time revealing our client’s project desires, while continually assessing and tuning the culture inside our own firm.
Our portfolio is intentionally diverse. We seek out new challenges that help us grow and cultivate new skills and expertise. As an organization, we don’t adhere to a top-down org chart. Rather, we think of our firm as an inclusive circle where a Junior Associate has as much design influence as a Principal. Ours is an environment where people enjoy the art of the design process, where they can continually learn and grow, and where exploration is encouraged. Ours is a culture of curiosity.
“I would rate Carrier Johnson’s
‘excellent’ in
performance
terms of quality, schedule adherence, timeliness of performance, project management and personnel, cost management, and overall customer satisfaction.”
Peter d’Ablaing, Project Manager, SANDAG
Civic Design Excellence
Carrier Johnson’s design approach emphasizes effective client communications, rigorous cost monitoring, and phased development of the to comprehensive detailing.
+ In the early design phases , project requirements and priorities are gathered from client’s user and decision-making groups, forming the basis for exterior and interior design concepts.
+ Input from diverse stakeholder participants – including project managers, users, administrators, staff, and community members - is sought during programming, planning, and design workshops. These sessions explore site capacity, building massing, and indoor/outdoor space relationships, using images of similar facilities for comparison.
+ In the later design phases , our team focuses the design by adding information layers and coordinating engineered building systems. Continuous dialogue with the client involves sharing ideas and building consensus before advancing to each new stage in the design process.
+ At the end of each design phase, Carrier Johnson performs Quality Assurance reviews of all disciplines and provides updated estimates of construction costs . In this way, we can accurately meet the construction budget by addressing potential cost issues before they arise.
Seamless Civic Design
NAVIGATING PERMITS, STAKEHOLDERS, AND UTILITIES WITH EXPERT PRECISION
We collaborate with Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) to make sure that the permit process runs smoothly. We meet with them early and often to avoid any surprises. We discuss the project issues openly and arrive at a decision together. We have experience working with local (fire, zoning and building safety, etc.), county (building safety, etc.), state (DSA, OSHPD, BSCC, OSFM, Coastal Commission, etc.) and federal agencies (FAA, etc.) that have various review responsibilities. We begin each project with that list in mind so that we engage everyone necessary.
For projects involving multiple co-located departments, we prioritize effective communication by identifying decisionmakers to prevent inter-departmental conflicts. Our team is well-acquainted with state utilities, engaging them early to avoid project delays. Comprehensive documentation ensures everyone is informed about transformer locations, meter specifications, and other crucial details.
Additionally, we have recent experience conducting public engagement sessions with the local community to ensure all stakeholders, including those in the community, feel they are heard and their concerns are being met.
SUCCESSFUL GOVERNMENT COLLABORATIONS
Department of General Services | With over 45 years of collaboration, we are currently proposing designs for a new Emergency Operations facility in Costa Mesa, a testament to our expertise in courthouses, prisons, federal buildings, and office structures.
Office of the State Fire Marshal | Our team has successfully secured approvals for projects like the $87M California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation ventures, spanning 25 projects across three state prisons in Chino, Corona, and San Diego.
Department of Water Resources | Committed to water quality, we employ best practices for stormwater discharge, to ensure compliance with all permits and requirements in close collaboration with the design team and owners.
Division of the State Architect | With direct involvement in hundreds of commissioning, design, and remodel projects, we bring over 30 years of experience working closely with the State of California DSA,
Civic Awards
+ Awards of Merit, Sustainable Innovation Awards Category: Specialty Sustainable Innovation Strategy - Water (Admin Building), USGBC-LA, 2020
+ Parks & Recreation Project of the Year, American Society of Civil Engineers - OC Branch, 2020
+ Public Works Project of the Year, American Public Works Association (APWA), 2020
+ Honor Award, Building/Technology Systems, American Council of Engineering Companies of California's (ACECCA) Engineering Excellence Awards program, 2015
+ Project Achievement Award, $51-$100 Million Building/ New Construction” category, Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) Southern California Chapter, 2011
+ Southern California, Best of 2010, Award of Merit, McGrawHill Construction, 2010
+ Best of 2009, Southern California, Award of Merit, Government/Public category, California Construction Magazine, 2009
Lake Forest Civic Center, Lake Forest, CA
SANDAG Mobility Transit Center, San Diego, CA
CSU Leo F. Cain Library, Dominguez Hills, CA
Fourth Appellate District Courthouse, Santa Ana, CA
+ Structures Award Winner for Community Impact, Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal, 2010
+ Interior Design Excellence Competition, Green Design, American Society of Interior Designers San Diego Chapter, 2007
+ Constructor Awards, Finalist, Excellence in Project Management - Projects Over $5 Million, Associated General Contractors of California , 2007
+ Build San Diego Award, Public Work, Merit Award, Associated General Contractors of California , 2007
+ Orchid, Landscaping, San Diego Architectural Foundation, 2007
+ Honor Award, Landscaping, American Society of Landscape Architects, 2007
+ Excellence in Design Awards, Honorable Mention, Government Category,
+ Environmental Design + Construction Magazine, 2007
+ Civil Engineering Project Awards, Award of Excellence, American Society of Civil Engineers, 2006
+ Concrete Flatwork, American Concrete Institute, San Diego International Chapter, Inc., 2006
+ Excellence in Construction Award, Honor Award, Associated Builders & Contractors, San Diego Chapter, 2006
+ Best of California 2006 Awards, Office, California Construction Magazine, 2006
+ SDG&E Award, Energy Efficiency Integration in NonResidential Design, AIA San Diego, 2002
Caltrans District II Headquarters, San Diego, CA
Edenvale Community Center, San Jose, CA
Caltrans District II Headquarters, San Diego, CA
CITY OF LAKE FOREST, CA
Civic Center & Sheriff HQ
Inspired by the local community’s vision and the surrounding natural beauty of Lake Forest, the new Civic Center offers a new place for people to conduct business and enjoy community activities. Coined Lake Forest’s “100-Year” home, the Civic Center does more than establish permanent residence for City Hall – it serves as the heart of the City. We envisioned this facility to be a safe and delightful place for socialization, group gathering and events, leisure activities, entertainment, and hosting civic functions.
The city’s and community’s input was vital during our design process. The City of Lake Forest held a series of workshops to gather thoughts and opinions from residents regarding features and future amenities. Craftsman style architecture complements Lake Forest’s pastoral landscape and natural topography.
CLIENT
City of Lake Forest
PROJECT TYPE
Civic Center & Police Station
LOCATION
City of Lake Forest, CA
SERVICES
Site Planning
Architecture
Interior Design Programming
SIZE
102,000 SF
8-Acre
CONSTRUCTION COST
$67,000,000
SUSTAINABILITY
LEED NC Silver
AWARDS
Awards of Merit, Sustainable Innovation Awards Category: Specialty Sustainable Innovation Strategy - Water (Admin Building), USGBC-LA, 2020
Parks & Recreation Project of the Year, American Society of Civil Engineers - OC Branch, 2020
Public Works Project of the Year, American Public Works Association (APWA), 2020
Center St Emergency Operations Center
As Design Architect, Carrier Johnson was responsible for both Schematic Design and Design Development for this emergency operations center. We also conducted program validation of the preliminary floor plans submitted to LA Metro to establish the program square footage, which involved meetings and coordination with LA Metro staff to validate the program and obtain approval of proposed floor plans, site plans, and building design.
The 26,000 SF project is classified as an “essential building” for a new emergency operations center (EOC), co-located with the Security Operations Center (SOC). The SOC will be a 24/7 manned security center with specialized security surveillance with the mission of improving overall rider safety on bus and rail lines and reducing vulnerabilities to terrorism.
CLIENT
Los Angeles County Metropolitan
Transportation Authority
PROJECT TYPE
Emergency Operations Center
LOCATION
Los Angeles, CA
SERVICES
Programming
Site Planning
Architecture
Interior Design
SIZE
26,000 SF
CONSTRUCTION COST
$81,400,000
SUSTAINABILITY
LEED NC Gold
South Bay Bus Maintenance Facility
This high-profile $50.9 million expansion project for SANDAG expands the South Bay Bus Maintenance Facility in Chula Vista into a larger and more functional maintenance and operations base. The 10.6-acre site features a new administration building, a new high bay bus maintenance building, alterations to an existing maintenance building, a new bus wash facility, and additional bus parking.
The two-story administration building consists of 16,000 SF for offices, dispatching functions and driver support areas. Expanding and reconfiguring the site, along with the addition of the 50,000 SF maintenance and warehouse building, increased site capacity from 174 to 240 buses, including new South Bay Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) buses.
CLIENT
San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG)
PROJECT TYPE
Public Works
Maintenance Facility
LOCATION
Chula Vista, CA
SERVICES
Architecture
Interior Design
CLIENT SANDAG
SIZE
10.6 Acres
66,000 GSF:
16,000 SF Office
50,000 SF Bus Maintenance
CONSTRUCTION COST
$50,900,000
AWARDS
Honor Award, Building/ Technology Systems, American Council of Engineering Companies of California’s (ACEC-CA) Engineering Excellence Awards program, 2015
Sheriff Training Facility
The Fire and Sheriff Training Facility houses instructional classrooms, Firearm and Driving Simulators, Physical Fitness, lockers and administrative areas. Outside, the program requirements include a Slow Speed Driving Area, Physical Training Fields, Marching Area and Morning Formation Area. Separated by a covered breezeway, the complex features distinct facilities for the Fire Department and the Sheriff, with landscaped areas, exterior amenities, and parking spaces. The project’s conceptual direction harmonizes the facility’s immediate programmatic needs with a long-term vision for future development.
POINT LOMA NAZARENE UNIVERSITY
Prescott Chapel
Inspiration of the chapel design comes from the natural surroundings on site and the spiritual significance within the space. The chapel is an academic anchor of the campus and physical reminder of their ideology. Simplicity with pure lines and forms were used as a means to capture the true essence of the space.
The approach to the chapel is of equal importance as the chapel itself. Open arms are abstractly portrayed within the building’s massing - to express an inviting space. The entry plays with the scale to enhance the progression of exterior to interior. As you enter the chapel, the change in scale from the entry to the main space dramatically opens up. Personal prayer spaces are radially arrayed from the center of the cross as the focal point.
The encapsulated nooks with cocoon like wood structures serve for individual moments of prayer. A light canopy overhead made up of organic materials acts as a filter for light to enter the space and sets an intimate mood.
CLIENT Point Loma Nazarene University
PROJECT TYPE
Faith LOCATION
San Diego, CA
SERVICES
Programming
Site Planning Architecture
SIZE
1-Story
77 SF
CONSTRUCTION COST
$1,379,451
AWARDS
Golden Nugget Awards - Grand Award: Category: Judges Special Award of Excellence, Builders Magazine / Pacific Coast Builders Conference, 2020
International Architecture Award, Religious Buildings Category, The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design, 2021
Honor Award, Architecture Category, AIA San Diego, 2020
Downtown Central Mobility Hub
Designed to revolutionize urban connectivity, our concept master plan for the Downtown Central Mobility Hub (DCMH) aims to reduce car dependency in San Diego, cut vehicle miles traveled, and lower emissions. We envisioned an urban asset that seamlessly integrates multiple modes of transportation through innovative multi-modal connection corridors.
Embracing eco-friendly technologies and sustainable practices, the DCMH not only strives to break people free from car dependency but also actively contributes to a cleaner, healthier urban environment. Our commitment extends beyond infrastructure, prioritizing social equity by ensuring that access to efficient and affordable transportation is a right for all. In shaping a pedestrian-friendly urban landscape with green spaces and recreational areas, the DCMH is poised to enhance the overall quality of life for everyone in the urban core.
CLIENT
San Diego Associations of Governments (SANDAG)
PROJECT TYPE
Public
Transit
Mixed-Use
LOCATION
San Diego, CA
SERVICE
Master Planning 1324 acres
Soltek China Lake
This landscape architecture design project focuses on the sustainable development and enhancement of the China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station located in California. The project includes comprehensive exterior design services for a new gym facility and chapel, integrating drought-tolerant planting with bioretention basins, and revitalizing the existing promenade through updated planting and improvements.
The project was designed to be inclusive of all social and cultural representations at the base and replaced an aging but sentimental All Faith Chapel. The team was careful to be respectful of the history of the base and provide the community with a new asset. The building accomodates a host of services and religious viewpoints, offeringa space for the community to come together.
CLIENT
Naval Facilities Engineering
Systems Command (NAVFAC)
China Lake
PROJECT TYPE
Community Support Facilities
LOCATION
Naval Air Weapons Station
China Lake, CA
SIZE
51,781 SF
SERVICES
Landscape Architecture
Architecture
CONSTRUCTION COST
$47,000,000
5950 Jefferson Boulevard
Carrier Johnson is providing architectural services for this 4-story office building in Culver City. In order to maximize parking for the building, the project features automated vehicle stackers. The architectural language of stacked shifting boxes provides opportunities for outdoor extensions of office space in the form of en suite outdoor terraces.
These flexible terraces provide space for breakout meetings, social events, and larger gatherings. The orientation of the terraces takes advantage of the various views from the site: the Pacific Ocean to the west, the Hollywood Hills to the north and the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook to the south.
Natural building materials, including the reinforced concrete structure and subtle variations in exterior cement panels complement the floor-to-ceiling glass and native landscaping.
Culver City, CA
PROJECT
CONSTRUCTION COST
$29,396,393
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, IRVINE
Division of Continuing Education Building
The new Division of Continuing Education Building at the University of California, Irvine, is a 76,300 GSF, 5-story structure that houses classrooms, a computer lab, sound studio and recording booth, offices and support spaces for faculty and administrators, and shell space for future development on a one-acre site. The project also includes outdoor plaza spaces, terraces and a pedestrian bridge
CLIENT
University of California, Irvine
LOCATION
Irvine, CA
PROJECT TYPE
Higher Education
SERVICES
Architecture
Site Planning SIZE
76,300 SF
CONSTRUCTION COST
$40,188,993
SUSTAINABILITY
LEED Platinum
AWARDS
National Award, Merit, Educational Facilities Category, Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) National, 2018
HILLS
Leo F. Cain Education Center
Composed primarily of glass and metal, the south-wing addition to the Cal State Dominguez Hills Leo F. Cain Education Center is five-story, state of the art library facility whose monumental scale is attenuated by a simple yet elegant design inspired by transparency and luminosity – traditional metaphors for learning, inspiration and progress. The new 150,000 square foot addition provides much-needed space to house educational and cultural resources for the growing campus and surrounding community.
These resources include access to the university’s entire collection of books and research materials (currently at over half a million volumes), comfortable study areas, grand reading rooms, technologically advanced archival storage and research areas, an events center and multi-cultural art gallery and learning center.
CLIENT
California State University, Dominguez Hills
LOCATION
Carson, CA
PROJECT TYPE
Academic Library
Civic SERVICES Architecture
Master Planning
Seismic Retrofit
Programming
Interior Design
SIZE
150,000 SF (addition)
105,000 SF (remodel)
CONSTRUCTION COST
$51,000,000
AWARDS
Project Achievement Award, $51-$100 Million Building/ New Construction” category, Construction Management Association of America (CMAA)
Southern California Chapter, 2011
Southern California, Best of 2010, Award of Merit, McGrawHill Construction, 2010
Legacy International Center
The design and architecture of the Legacy International Center celebrates over 72 years of Dr. Morris Cerullo and his worldwide evangelical mission. Located in San Diego, CA, this is an international destination for the world to experience.
Design objectives included: creating a timeless, world class destination resort property with major market branding, attracting domestic and international visitors to the Legacy Center and San Diego and positively impacting the adjacent hotel occupancy by creating attractions that promote and extend tourists length of stay in San Diego.
The Center has multiple indoor and outdoor meeting and event spaces including the 500-seat Pavilion Theater and the 6,000 SF Pavilion Ballroom, which often hosts large gatherings and weddings, and the Legacy Grand Plaza.
The Center and the Hotel offer various dining options ranging from full dinner service to grab-and-go counters. Market arcades, inspired by souk markets of the Middle East, also offer dining and shopping.
CLIENT
Morris Cerullo World
Evangelism Legacy Center
Foundation LOCATION
San Diego, CA PROJECT
CONSTRUCTION COST
$133,832,604
AWARDS
Award of Merit, Gold Nugget Award, Category: Best Special Use Project, PCBC / Builder Magazine, 2020
“Project of the Year” in the EIFS category, Western Wall & Ceiling Contractors Association (WWCCA), 2020
Award of Excellence for Best Hospitality Project, San Diego Business Journal, 2020
Best Projects Award of Merit, Cultural/Worship category, Engineering News-Record- ENR California South region, 2020
211 SAN DIEGO
211 Headquarters
211 San Diego is an agency that connects San Diego County residents with information about the community resources. Carrier Johnson + Culture was retained to renovate an existing 2-story, concrete tilt-up research and development building and transform the space into their new state-of-the-art headquarters office. The new space includes collaborative open office areas, community and company meeting rooms, specialized suites for community partners, including County of San Diego Disaster Response Operations.
CLIENT
211 San Diego
LOCATION
San Diego, CA
PROJECT TYPE
Tenant Improvement
SERVICES
Programming
Space Planning Architecture
Interior Design
FF&E
SIZE
28,866 SF
CONSTRUCTION COST
$2,400,000
COMPLETION
2016
