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The 2026 Design Awards Event

We're celebrating 24 award winning projects, as well as the Trustee's Awards for Excellence and four President's Awards at the Mission Inn in downtown Riverside. This special celebration is followed by a ticketed reception with food and drinks. Purchase your tickets before they sell out!

West LA VA Campus Buildings 156 & 157

Owner/Client
Oscar Alvarado – Century Affordable Development, Inc.

Lead Architect
Lise Bornstein – KFA Architecture

Historic Preservation Consultant
Holly Kane – Historic Resources Group

Landscape Architect
Robin Carmichael – Pamela Burton & Co

Architect/Landscape
Lise Bornstein – KFA Architecture

Structural Engineer
Seoyoung Heo – WSP

Civil Engineering
Lucas Meier – KPFF

Plumbing Engineer
Nawfal Alaani – Breen

Electrical Engineer
Fifita Tutoe – Breen

Geotechnical
Neal Berliner – Geocon West Inc.

Mechanical Engineer
Russell Johnson – Breen

Contractor
Tim Norris – Walton Construction, Inc.

Construction Manager
Tania Boysen – Primus Building Solutions

Waterproofing
Max Faraji – Maxwell Building Enclosure

Urban Planning
Brian Ulaszewski – City Fabrick

Acoustic Consultant
Devin Wong – Veneklasen

Green Consultant
Cody Bathke – Partner Energy

Low Voltage / Dry Utilities / Fire
Marco Cabibbo – P2S

Interior Design
Aylin Inel – AI Interiors

Photography
Jim Simmons Photography

West LA VA Campus Buildings 156 and 157

West LA VA Campus Buildings 156 and 157 is a winner for the 2026 Preservation Design Award in the category of Rehabilitation. Award recipients are selected by a jury of top professionals in the fields of architecture, engineering, planning, and history, as well as renowned architecture critics and journalists. Tickets and sponsorship options are available at californiapreservation.org/programs/awards/.

About West LA VA Campus Buildings 156 and 157

Buildings 156 and 157 were constructed in the early 1920s as a three-building tuberculosis hospital complex on the West Los Angeles VA Campus, along with Building 158, which is part of the original historic complex and currently under construction. After decades of vacancy and deferred maintenance that placed both buildings at risk, they were rehabilitated and adapted for residential use as part of the West LA VA North Campus Community Plan.

The project included comprehensive rehabilitation, preservation of surviving historic fabric, and a differentiated addition providing a teaching kitchen and community-oriented amenity. Historic materials, including terrazzo flooring, marble wainscot, and wood handrails, were retained and restored where feasible. Interior spaces were reconfigured to support contemporary residential use while preserving character-defining features. The rehabilitation followed the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation, ensuring compatibility between historic and new elements while extending the buildings’ legacy of service to veterans.

A historic beige building with arched windows and a rounded tower is seen behind landscaped paths and benches. Text overlays announce a 2026 Preservation Design Award for the West LA VA Campus Rehabilitation.

Aerial view of a large, historic building complex with red-tiled roofs and white walls, surrounded by landscaped gardens, palm trees, and cityscape in the background at dusk.

Outdoor plaza with seating, tables, string lights, and umbrellas; people are walking and sitting, some with dogs. The area is surrounded by modern buildings, greenery, and trees under a blue sky.

A sunny courtyard with outdoor tables and chairs, greenery, and a large building with an American flag in front. A person in a wheelchair and another walking are visible on the pathways.

Modern, spacious interior with a central wooden column, metal railings, wide staircase, and open seating area with tables and chairs. Large arched windows and white ceiling with recessed lights add to the bright, airy atmosphere.

A long, beige building with a red-tiled roof and arched windows stands beside a landscaped courtyard with benches, young trees, and walking paths under a clear blue sky.

A large, historic building with arched windows and stucco walls sits under a clear blue sky, surrounded by palm trees, greenery, and a walkway with a painted bicycle lane.

Spacious, elegant lounge with wooden tables and chairs, a black grand piano, large arched windows, a modern chandelier, and cozy seating areas with couches and armchairs. Marble tile floors and bright lighting.

A modern, spacious living room with white walls and marble floors, featuring armchairs with green and orange pillows around a round table with flowers, and a staircase in the background. Art and plants decorate the room.

A courtyard at sunset with string lights, patio tables and umbrellas, surrounded by modern buildings with large windows and red-tile roofs. Trees and landscaping decorate the open, inviting space.

Aerial view of a large campus with red-roofed, white buildings, landscaped gardens, curved walkways, and palm trees, set against a backdrop of cityscape and distant hills at dusk.

A black-and-white aerial photo of a sprawling campus with multiple large buildings, parking lots, and winding roads, surrounded by trees and with a city skyline visible in the distant background.

An old, two-story building with arched windows, weathered white walls, and domed towers stands under a clear blue sky. A staircase with a teal railing leads to the entrance, and a large bush grows near the front.

A cream-colored building with arched windows and doorways, two small domed towers, and the address 717 Bonsall above the entrance, set against a clear blue sky.

A large, historic Mediterranean-style building with arched windows and terracotta roof tiles stands under clear blue sky, surrounded by palm trees and lush landscaping. A bike lane runs along the pathway in front.

A wide view of abandoned white buildings with boarded windows, overgrown dry grass, palm trees, parked cars, and a cracked sidewalk under a clear sky at sunset.

A sunny courtyard with tables and chairs, green plants, and an American flag in front of a beige, two-story building. One person rides a mobility scooter while another walks nearby.

An old, long, white building with many broken windows stands behind overgrown grass and bushes; a single tall palm tree is near the structure under a clear blue sky.

A long, light-colored building with arched and rectangular windows, a red tile roof, and a landscaped courtyard featuring benches, young trees, pathways, and green plants under a clear blue sky.

Modern dining area with high ceilings, large arched windows, a wooden chandelier, and several tables and chairs. Artwork and plants decorate the light-filled, spacious interior.

A modern, spacious interior with marble floors, wooden tables and chairs set up for chess, a large wooden-paneled staircase, a circular chandelier, white walls, and a potted plant in the corner.

Spacious, elegant lounge with large windows, checkered marble floors, brown leather sofas, wooden tables and chairs, a grand piano, a round table with flowers, and modern lighting.

Spacious, modern lounge with wooden tables and chairs, a seating area with sofas, large arched windows, a grand piano, and polished tile flooring under a decorative ceiling with recessed lighting and a chandelier.

A view looking up a narrow staircase with brown handrails and marble-patterned walls, leading to a landing with a large, partially covered window letting in daylight.

A staircase with brown speckled steps and wooden handrails leads up to a large arched window with a black grid frame, set in a wall with gray marble paneling. Bright light shines through the window.

A bright stairwell with marble walls, terrazzo flooring, a wooden handrail, and a large arched window overlooking another building with similar windows. A small framed picture hangs on the right wall.

A modern, spacious kitchen and dining area with large windows, wooden tables and chairs, and a central island featuring a sink, stove, and oven. Natural light fills the room, highlighting the clean and open design.

A modern outdoor courtyard with tables, benches, and shade umbrellas, string lights overhead, people walking and sitting, some with dogs, near a building with large windows and a red-tiled roof, surrounded by greenery.

A spacious, modern lobby with marble floors and walls, a round wooden table with a vase of flowers in the center, benches along the sides, and a circular chandelier overhead. Natural light enters from windows and a glass door.

Modern, spacious living area with marble floors, armchairs around a round table with a vase of flowers, wall art, and candles. Background includes a staircase, console table, and large windows letting in natural light.

A modern lobby with marble floors, armchairs, a small table with flowers, large windows, a potted plant, and a reception desk where a person is seated. A hallway extends from the lobby, lit by ceiling lights.

An empty, overgrown courtyard is surrounded by two beige, arched buildings with boarded-up windows and weathered walls under a cloudy sky. There are sparse plants and scattered debris on the ground.

Outdoor patio area with metal tables and chairs, surrounded by greenery, near a building with red-tiled roofs and white umbrellas on a sunny day.

A sunny courtyard with green grass, trees, benches, and pathways is surrounded by cream-colored, two-story buildings with red-tiled roofs and arched windows. Palm trees are visible in the background.

A modern courtyard with string lights, white umbrellas, and outdoor seating is surrounded by trees and a large building with a red-tiled roof at sunset. The sky has soft orange and blue hues.

Aerial view of a large, historic building complex with red-tiled roofs and white walls, surrounded by landscaped paths, palm trees, and cityscape in the background at dusk.

A modern outdoor plaza with string lights, benches, tables, and umbrellas. People and dogs are scattered around the area, and a building with large windows and a red-tiled roof is in the background under a clear sky.

A courtyard with tables and chairs, greenery, and a path leading to a large beige building with red roof tiles. An American flag flies on a pole, and two people are present—one walking, one on a motorized scooter.

Modern interior with large wooden accent wall surrounding a staircase, metal railings, and open seating area with tables and chairs. Large windows and high white ceiling create a bright, airy atmosphere.

A long, cream-colored building with a red-tiled roof sits behind a landscaped courtyard with benches, young trees, and pathways under a clear blue sky.

A large, historic white building with arched windows and red-tiled roof sits under a clear blue sky, surrounded by palm trees, greenery, and a paved pathway with a bike lane symbol in the foreground.

A spacious, modern lounge with wooden tables and chairs, a grand piano, large arched windows, leather sofas, and a chandelier hanging from a white coffered ceiling. Some tables have small flower vases.

A modern, bright lobby features gray armchairs with green and orange pillows, a round table with flowers, marble floors, wall art, and a staircase with metal railing leading upstairs. Large windows let in natural light.

An outdoor plaza at sunset features string lights, tables with umbrellas, and surrounding trees. In the background are large, white buildings with red tile roofs and lit windows, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere.

Aerial view of a large, U-shaped institutional building with multiple wings, surrounded by open land and trees, with a curved driveway and scattered vegetation nearby.

A two-story, abandoned building with arched upper windows and boarded-up lower windows. The beige exterior shows signs of wear, and overgrown plants are visible in front. The sky is clear and blue.

Community Importance

Buildings 156 and 157 occupy a significant place within the West Los Angeles VA Campus, a site that has provided more than a century of continuous service and care to veterans and the surrounding community. Constructed during the period known as the Second Generation of Veterans hospitals, the buildings reflect a national shift towards purpose-built medical facilities following World War I and an expanded federal commitment to veteran care.

Their rehabilitation returns two long-vacant structures to active use, reinforcing the campus’ longstanding role as a place of care, residence, and community for veterans. By adapting former hospital buildings for residential use, the project continues the Campus’ legacy by supporting stable housing and community life, aligning contemporary needs with the historic purpose. The project also supports the broader revitalization of the North Campus by demonstrating how preservation and adaptive reuse can successfully coexist with new development. Buildings 156 and 157 form part of a larger historic grouping with Building 158, reinforcing the original planning logic of facilities interconnected through arcades and breezeways.

The project demonstrates how historic preservation can be integrated into long-term planning efforts that address housing, services, and open space as interconnected elements supporting a healthy community. Shared spaces including the restored community room and the new teaching kitchen foster social connection, wellness, and stability for residents. The project improves residents’ quality of life while preserving a recognizable historic environment that remains meaningful to both residents and the surrounding community.

About CPF and the Awards

Held in conjunction with CPF’s 2026 Annual Conference in Riverside, the 2026 Mission Inn Preservation Design Awards Ceremony and Reception will spotlight excellence in historic preservation in a setting that reflects the very spirit of the work being honored. This special evening brings together award recipients, conference participants, preservation leaders, and supporters from across California to celebrate outstanding preservation projects and leadership through the Preservation Design Awards and President’s Awards.

Founded in 1978, the California Preservation Foundation (CPF) is California’s statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection of historic places and cultural heritage. Through education, advocacy, and community-centered programs, CPF supports the people, projects, and policies that keep California’s historic resources vital and valued. We now support a national network of more than 36,000 members and supporters. Click here to learn how you can become a member.