World Design Capital Title Awarded to San Diego/Tijuana for 2024
Downtown San Diego looking south to Tijuana region
As you may have heard, San Diego/Tijuana has been awarded the title of World Design Capital for 2024.
What is the World Design Capital?
The designation of World Design Capital (WDC) is awarded every two years to a city that features outstanding design culture and local commitment to using design as a means for improving the quality of life.
We at McCullough are especially thrilled that San Diego and Tijuana (SDTJ) are the first binational cities to be selected. We take ardent pride in our design community with its welcoming, collaborative character, despite being bisected by an international border. When David and I presented to the World Design Organization’s visiting delegate on behalf of the San Diego Architectural Foundation (SDAF), we highlighted our region’s eagerly collaborative culture as one of the key qualities that make it ready to confront the challenges of an uncertain future. Alongside a bevy of other design professionals, we collectively made the case that San Diego and Tijuana deserved to be recognized globally, and it is incredibly gratifying to see that belief validated.
What Does it Mean to Be World Design Capital?
Being selected for WDC means that in 2024, we will host a year-long series of events, catered to a global audience, with the goal of showcasing SDTJ’s design community and potential.
As an example, Valencia is the 2022 winner, and they will be hosting more than 100 activities across 25 venues, including street festivals, interactive public art, games, concerts, exhibitions, film screenings, workshops, and lectures.
In addition to the fun stuff, Valencia will also be host to a series of professional conferences. In essence, the WDC designation is something like a debutante ball for underrated cities.
The potential upside of this is debatable. After Taipei hosted WDC in 2016, the Taiwan Institute of Marketing Science issued a study outlining the positive impacts of the program.
Aside from the obvious benefits of increased civic pride and greater public awareness of design, the study identified the following key benefits:
Benefit 1 – Pursuing and executing the WDC program created a shared goal for Taipei’s design community. This, in turn, ostensibly strengthened existing alliances and forged new ones as well.
Benefit 2 – Public dialogue about design introduced expanded possibilities to city bureaucracies.
Benefit 3 – Taipei found a new way to spotlight ongoing city sustainability and city development work.
Benefit 4 – Taipei introduced itself to the world as a center for design.
Let’s discuss these benefits further:
Benefit 1 is the most concrete and tangible benefit. A shared goal brings people together. As a firm, McCullough has experienced this when pursuing work with partner firms. An example of this is the current competition for the redevelopment of the Sports Arena property in San Diego’s Midway District. This effort, shouldered by our multidisciplinary team, has served both to solidify existing relationships as well as to foster new connections with our collaborators. This is not unique. In fact, project pursuits have long been a way for us to connect more profoundly with others in the design community.
Similarly, McCullough’s experiences promoting Pecha Kucha Night gatherings with the San Diego Architectural Foundation have resoundingly proven the community-building benefits of working together to create events.
The process of envisioning, planning, and executing SDTJ’s World Design Capital events and programming will undoubtedly enable new working relationships to blossom among participants. An auxiliary benefit could include volunteer-led efforts, which often serve as vital opportunities for emerging design firms to show off their talents and passion. As we move together toward 2024, our multi-faceted design community will be connecting with purpose and urgency. This process of relationship building strengthens us as a whole.
Benefits 2 and 3 have common sense appeal. It only seems a healthy extension of local “pothole politics” to have a region-wide year of community-oriented design introspection. If design is a method for problem-solving, then the WDC programming should serve as an opportunity for the general public to confront and engage with the issues that keep us designers up at night. What are SDTJ’s problems? How can we and our local governments approach our problems with an expanded view of the possibilities at hand? How should we celebrate our private and public sector design triumphs in order to preserve momentum toward building a better quality of life in our region?
Perhaps a year of events and programming will help to instill a civic mentality around using design as a public tool for envisioning what we want as a region, rather than continuing an obstructionist culture defined by its opposition to design. Perhaps that’s too optimistic.
Benefit 4 is the dubious one. Does location matter or not? Does design culture need a city to support it? Has the internet eclipsed the relevance or necessity of being in a certain city in order to stay “plugged in” to whatever the cutting edge is? One could contend that design is truly global now. Something gets made in Thailand, it goes up on the internet, and a week later we’re using it in San Diego as a precedent image for a client presentation. Why should we pretend that geography has anything to do with design evolution or excellence?
Alternatively, one could counter and say that YES, location DOES matter. The last 20 years of urbanism and architecture are underpinned by the notion that proximity and collision are absolutely vital requisites for innovation to blossom in a place. Our 21st-century obsession with “innovation districts,” open plan offices, and tech campuses reflects the assertion that design culture is indeed very location-sensitive. Like a plant, it needs the right place to thrive.
Perhaps it’s a bit of both. Design culture seems to exist in two parallel worlds: in the ether and in the studio.
It’s this duality that I think makes SDTJ such an apt and interesting selection for World Design Capital. The sister cities are two sides of the same coin. San Diego is choked by regulations and high costs, which are poignant factors that limit the creativity, experimentation, and the speed at which we can iterate in the built environment. High cost of living prevents artists and designers from settling down here and growing roots. However, San Diego has a fantastic park network, forward-thinking environmental planning, and significant investments in multi-modal transit, all of which preserve a globally enviable quality of life. On the other hand, Tijuana lacks public realm investment with a dearth of transit options, cycling corridors, and park spaces. Nonetheless, Tijuana’s affordability and regulatory freedom have fostered a hotbed for innovation in architecture, art, and cuisine.
San Diegans go to Tijuana to eat, and Tijuanans come up to San Diego to enjoy the parks. The cities lean on each other to provide a transborder lifestyle that is unparalleled anywhere else.
Why Were We Chosen?
In order for the World Design Organization to provide a meaningful selection, they are more or less obligated to pick cities that are not actually the global capitals of design. Otherwise, it’d be Paris, New York, Tokyo, Berlin, London, Buenos Aires — all the predictable choices. They’d run out of cities to anoint after just a few years. It’s silly to think that the global center of influence is mobile enough to relocate every two years to greener pastures. Paris, New York, Tokyo, etc., have been the cultural poles of the world for many years, and they will continue to be for years to come. That’s because those places are where the money is.
Design with a capital D — the rarefied, self-mythologizing world of architects, graphic designers, and industrial designers NEEDS money in order to exist in the refined form that we’ve come to expect. Cocktail parties, gallery openings, symposia — all that stuff happens in its most quintessential form in the same handful of cities. Of course, other cities get their time to shine. Yes, Miami is having a moment. Yes, San Diego seems to be at an inflection point. But can we honestly say that either city dethrones New York or Paris in terms of influence?
It’s clear that the World Design Organization selects cities that are typically overlooked but do have robust local design communities. This is fantastic. Culture, whether it’s art, music, design, or food, often originates at the periphery of mainstream awareness before it becomes popular. Celebrating cities like Cape Town and Mexico City (prior World Design Capitals) is a wonderful upending of the colonial undercurrents of what we call “global culture.” If the goal is to highlight scrappy-but-refined underdog cities, there could be no better choice than San Diego/Tijuana. We’re looking forward to sharing our region’s gifts with the whole world.
Learn more about the San Diego/Tijuana World Design Capital by visiting home2024.com
Benjamin Arcia, M.U.D., ASLA
Senior Associate
Client of the Month:
ACRM Architects
Griffis Mission Valley, San Diego, CA
For our February Client of the Month, we are thrilled to feature a people-first firm known for its elegant, inspirational work and commitment to design excellence: ACRM Architects!
ACRM Architects (ACRM) was founded in 2002 by architects Tom Awbrey, Clifford Cook, and Scot McGill, joined by Dennis Rogers shortly thereafter. The three founding architects, who had experience working together at a previous firm, share collective core values; they are driven to deliver impeccable designs and maintain a strong rapport of client satisfaction.
With its beginnings in San Diego, the firm has evolved over the past 20 years to complete a multitude of projects, both nationally and internationally, specializing in hotels and resorts, retail and outlet centers, restaurants, multi-family residential, and mixed-use projects. Their portfolio of stately, high-profile projects includes the Pendry Hotel San Diego, Courtyard by Marriott Liberty Station Resort, Citadel Outlets in Los Angeles, Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens at Liberty Station, Cabazon Outlets, Café Sevilla, and Las Americas Premium Outlets at the world’s busiest border crossing from San Diego to Mexico.
ACRM’s office resides, quite fittingly, in what is known as the Makers Quarter of Downtown San Diego’s East Village, home base to many of San Diego’s most innovative businesses. Although they have strong roots in Southern California, the firm has completed projects and designs in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Washington.
As a people-centric firm, ACRM’s greatest assets are its diverse, top-notch staff. President/CEO Scot McGill, Vice President/COO Clifford Cook, and Vice President/Design Principal Dennis Rogers currently lead the firm to “creatively transform client needs and aspirations into elegant and unique properties of lasting value.”
The firm’s vision is one that is truly evident in everything they do:
ACRM Architects believes in architecture that responds to its location and provides a sense of place and inspiration for people to experience and enjoy. Our design philosophy is focused on the premise that design excellence should manifest in each and every aspect of a building. The firm is passionate about providing our clients with the most functionally appropriate and creative design solutions while maintaining budgets and schedules.
Taking that vision into the future, ACRM is thrilled for ongoing and upcoming projects in hospitality as well as multi-family and mixed-use developments. They are currently designing a large, full-service hotel on Colorado Boulevard in Downtown Pasadena along with an upscale apartment building across the street. Also on the table is La Bahia Hotel, located near the historic Santa Cruz Boardwalk, which is planned to break ground this year.
“Designing with passion, for buildings with vision.”
From ACRM’s perspective, the key to a successful project is to meet the goals of the original vision while closely adhering to the client’s budget and timeline. ACRM is dedicated to exceptional client service and long-standing personal relationships, such as that with both Craig Realty Group and Huntington Hotel Group, which have been loyal clients since the firm’s inception. Another common thread in all their work is a respectful consideration and seamless, creative integration with the context and community of each project they design. McCullough shares a commitment to these values, which, perhaps, is why our firms have experienced many rewarding collaborations.
McCullough and ACRM first joined together on a project with Next Space Development known as Nimitz Crossing, a multi-family mixed-use development on a triangular lot located between Point Loma and Ocean Beach in San Diego. Nimitz Crossing includes 24 two-bedroom units as well as adaptable commercial space on the ground floor. It was during this project that Vice President/Design Principal Dennis Rogers and McCullough’s Principal Landscape Architect David McCullough first connected over their mutual respect for the creative vision and the inventive design solutions that they each brought to the project.
Since that first project together, our firms have collaborated on several urban projects in San Diego. A sample of these include:
Columbia Tower (high-rise 38-story mixed-use hotel and multi-family development near Little Italy)
Pacific Heights (multi-family development with an affordable housing component near City College)
4th Avenue (multi-family infill development with affordable units)
Nimitz Crossing Apartments in Point Loma
Griffis Mission Valley
The initial connection between our firms along with our positive experience working together has led to our current collaboration on the Griffis Mission Valley project.
President/CEO Scot McGill recently shared, “I’ve found you to be the most creative. That’s why I keep going back to you. You’re my go-to [landscape] architect for local projects.” Vice President/Design Principal Dennis Rogers added…
“When the Griffis project came up, I said we should talk to you guys, just because I think David’s firm is extremely creative and easy to work with, fun to work with. But very, very creative.”
The Griffis Mission Valley project is a major remodel of all the amenity spaces with a goal to elevate and modernize the property. The project scope for this spacious, modern multi-family apartment development covers a full renovation and reprogramming of the leasing lobby and offices, coworking lounge and offices, community clubroom, fitness center, pool deck, interior courtyards, and exterior paint. Through our design upgrades to the outdoor spaces, we will create unique atmospheres that encourage tenants to gather and that foster a sense of community.
Designed to capitalize on Southern California’s warm, sunny days, the pool lounge area will serve as the premium amenity for residents. Given the large main pool, spa, cabanas, shade structure with outdoor kitchen and dining, bistro seating, chaise lounge pool seating, and an open lawn, this area will be a prime location to unwind and relax in a luxurious oasis.
Additional courtyard and outdoor spaces throughout the development are designed to anticipate the needs and desires of residents, whether they want to dine alfresco, enjoy the warm glow of company around a fire, play outdoor games, or merely relax in a peaceful setting. Our plan also includes connective passageways and passive spaces that will provide residents with a relaxed environment. Here we will introduce reading nooks as well as update many hardscape materials.
We are excited about the variety of creative elements and programmed features that we have included to blend with ACRM’s architectural ideas. It is our goal that the resulting, completed project will become the elevated, lush living space that our project teams have envisioned. Furthermore, we appreciate the confidence that ACRM has in our firm’s ability to create a unique plant palette that complements the existing environment, whether it’s “in town, out in the suburbs, or up in the mountains.” Scot continues, “I feel that [David] would come up with a palette that would match anything that environment challenges him with.”
It is McCullough’s pleasure to collaborate with ACRM on so many exquisite projects, and we hope to continue working together with our shared passion for design rooted in empathy, community, and the human spirit engaged in nature.
For more information about ACRM Architects, please visit acrma.com.
Nikki Holloway
Marketing + Creative Manager
McCullough Welcomes Two New Associates
At McCullough, we are responding to our increased demand with the hire of two new associates: Andrew Schlesinger and Kevin Belair. Both associates recently relocated to San Diego and have become key team members of our award-winning landscape architecture firm. Our growth will help accommodate our numerous high-profile projects throughout California, the Western US, and China.
Mr. Schlesinger earned his undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies at the University of Vermont, and his Master of Landscape Architecture from Rutgers University. Relocating from the East Coast, he joined our team after founding his own design-build company, where he focused on plant-centric, native, and drought-tolerant residential landscapes. He also worked as a landscape designer for M+B+C Associates and at a nonprofit in Central New Jersey, where he applied urban farming techniques to address food insecurity. He brings a passion for addressing climate change with tangible, site-specific, community-level design solutions.
Mr. Belair attended the University of Minnesota, where he completed his Master of Landscape Architecture. Coming from the Midwest, he brings experience in park design, community development, mixed-use housing, comprehensive plans, and digital visualization. Much of his work has been with multidisciplinary design firms, where he collaborated with other design professionals. He believes that good design will challenge how people value, experience, and understand landscapes.
Catherine McCullough, CPSM, President & CEO of McCullough, states…
“Andrew and Kevin each bring unique passions and perspectives, which have already enhanced and diversified our team. We’re excited to have their expertise as we continue to grow and take on several new projects both locally and abroad. We’re very appreciative of our visionary clients, who contribute to the firm’s growth.”