SKL Associates, Inc. has just finished the design of a new La Quinta Inn & Suites in Contra Costa County.

Architectural Design
The project consists of a four story, La Quinta franchised hotel on an existing vacant lot. Several utilities including storm drainage, water and gas line currently traverse various sections of the site. In addition, due to the irregular configuration of the lot, many portions are either too steep or too narrow to build. As the parking areas of the project were placed on portions of the site that are relatively flat and accessible from the main road, the proposed building pad is placed on the sloped portion of the lot. In order to minimize excavating and the height of retaining walls, the building pad is situated such that there would be balance of cut and fill. A retaining wall, whose height varies from 3 feet to 12 feet, is provided on the south and east sides of the building. Portions of the hillside beyond the retaining wall are left undisturbed, with the exception of some new oak trees proposed in the landscape plan.

Guests are dropped off at the porte-cochere and enter the hotel from under the porte-cochere to the main lobby. The first floor provides common areas for guest use, such as lobby, registration, breakfast, fitness and laundry rooms. The facility will also have meeting rooms for guest use and functions. On the north side patios are provided facing the street for guest using the breakfast and meeting rooms. A outdoor pool and spa are also provided on the ground level on the south side of the building. Three additional floors are provided consisting mainly of guest rooms.
The name “La Quinta” sets the theme for the Spanish Revival architecture of the building. However, the design of the building is a significant departure and enhancement from the franchise prototypical design. The design of the hotel reflects a scale and aesthetics compatible with the existing residential neighborhoods to the north of the property. The Sea Breeze subdivision homes, north-west of the property are designed in the Spanish/Mediterranean style.

The design of the building allows for accommodation of modern building features such as air-conditioning equipment, within the Spanish themed architecture. Each façade’s composition has been carefully arranged, to provide deeply recessed openings, arches, wrought iron railings and trims in a manner that is not excessively repetitive. A focal point of the design is the main tower that transitions into a cupola above the roofline and is capped by a copper spire. On the east side another tower of a different design helps to visually buttress the building. Building signage is incorporated into these towers oriented towards the freeway. All facades of the building are designed to be appealing.

Exterior materials are comprised of steel-trowelled stucco, simulated stone, ceramic tile and light weight Spanish roof tiles. The layout of the units provides ample articulation in the façade, to minimize the impact of the mass of the building by breaking the façade into smaller elements. Colors are earthtones on the first floor and off-white (bisque) on the upper floors helps to reduce the mass of the building. Two chimneys reminiscent of residential flues are incorporated into the roof to give the building an overall residential appearance.

The project is situated in a important gateway location to the city. The Spanish tradition is deeply rooted in Contra Costa County’s history and this building adapts this tradition to the modern context in a timeless aesthetic expression.