Brentwood Civic Center

Blending the old and new in a California civic center

LPA used the 1920s Brentwood Hotel as the model for the architecture for the city’s civic complex, bridging the present with the past. The redevelopment included the 58,000-square-foot city hall, a 32,000-square-foot community center and a 280-stall parking structure—all developed around a 2.7-acre park—which required a high-level of coordination and communication with a wide variety of groups.

The complex serves as the center of the city and community. It is designed to accommodate a variety of activities such as weddings, community meetings and art studios, while the second story houses administrative offices and tenants, such as the Chamber of Commerce.

The centerpiece of the project is the variety of outdoor spaces that are framed by a grove of mature sycamore trees and courtyards. LPA’s landscape architects integrated indoor and outdoor spaces, allowing expanded community use and created the potential for revenue from concerts and special events. Different spaces are spread around the park, including water elements, picnic areas and performance space.

Photovoltaic panels, green roofs and a water quality management system are among the elements that conserve energy and save water costs in the project, which earned LEED Silver certification.