Pub. 3 2020 Directory

42 NORTHERN NEVADA ARCHITECTECTURE .20 | 2020 | www.aiann.org CITATION ALTITUDE ARCHITECT: Cathexes CONTRACTOR: McCuen Construction YEAR COMPLETED: 2018 LOCATION: Clio, California N ew ownership at the Nakoma Resort needed to address two vital issues for the near- and long-term success of their properties: the need for overnight lodging and the need to draw new interest by providing more recreation and leisure opportunities. Two buildings were conceived: the boutique hotel — Lodge at Nakoma, and the other was a recreation facility — Altitude. The programming of Altitude was undertaken in concert with the ownership team to explore the possibilities of providing a diverse set of year-round recreational options in and around the facility’s site. Key programmatical elements were selected and located for their distinct functional attributes or essential connectivity either visually or by physical proximity. A breezeway connected the ‘active’ areas, including day care, climbing gym, fitness center and locker rooms. Consideration was taken to provide enriching and appealing views from treadmills, stationary bikes and the elevated yoga studio. The southern section of the building is more formal and meant for reception, lounging and dining. All areas of the building are connected to the central focus of the facility: the pool deck. Integration into the site’s topography and providing a sense of prominence and arrival were essential to Altitude’s visitor experience. With dramatic scenery and views of distant mountaintops, the view angles were carefully considered early in the planning and site analysis phase. Locating the facility in terms of elevation and proximity to existing drives and access points was carefully considered while providing a generous pool deck and outdoor dining opportunities. Access to and views of the adjacent creek were vital while providing a sense of privacy on the pool deck for families from the nearby road. While the site conditions and geography greatly influenced Altitude’s character, two other essential influences informed the architectural approach: the culture of the Maidu (Native American people of Northern California, which call the mountains and valleys in the project area home) and the Frank Lloyd Wright Clubhouse nearby. While respecting the beauty of the Wrightian forms and the Clubhouse’s presence a short distance up the hillside, Altitude does not mimic the formal design. Instead, it uses the importance of masonry, rhythm and the ‘fireplace’ primacy as a gathering point to create order and drama. The FLW building was designed for another site with a flatter topography. It was inspired not only by the local Maidu but also by Native Americans’ structures in the Midwest regions.