Solana Beach VFW

“Next Peak – Project Restore Hope” is a visionary initiative designed to breathe new life into Veteran of Foreign Wars (VFW) facilities across America, starting with the transformation of VFW Post 5431 in Solana Beach. SDA provided pro bono conceptual design services for this center as part of our commitment to the 1+ initiative.

The design responds to the pressing need to provide a “second home” where veterans feel welcome. It creates a space with a restorative and relaxing environment that minimizes perceived threats. In this way, the architecture of the space serves as a tool for healing.

The outdoor space, surrounded by natural elements and covered with a lanai, is proposed to provide a pleasant and warm atmosphere that reduces environmental stressors. It is a multifunctional space that offers some privacy from sidewalk traffic but keeps a visual connection with the street. A coffee shop will be integrated into the project and will be open to the public to allow a soft re-integration of the veterans to a daily routine. These two spaces will be divided by a memorial wall featuring engraved acrylic plaques, to remember all those who have sacrificed for the community. This wall is designed with distinctive colors from the rest of the building to emphasize its importance and the transparency provided by the materiality will allow a smooth connection between the coffee shop and the VFW outdoor space.

Client Testimonial:

“We approached all the local architect firms in our community and SDA answered the call in the biggest way. Not only are they doing the work pro-bono but they also are making the Next Peak/VFW team feel as though we are the most important project they have… There is a lot of sacrifice that goes into the freedoms we enjoy in our Country, and I know that SDA appreciates/honors this sacrifice through the energy and care they are putting into this project…. Thank you SDA Team from all of us at Next Peak/VFW.”

-Guy McDermott

LocationSolana Beach, CAClientVeterans of Foreign Wars Post 5431 & Next Peak