Inside, strategic space reconfiguration, including the selective removal of partitions and storefront walls, created two dedicated study rooms, a children’s storytime area, and expanded staff office space. The renovation also modernized restrooms, reinforced existing shear walls, and introduced updated finishes, lighting, and electrical systems throughout.

Inspired by the natural environment, the reimagined library offers a welcoming, flexible setting that supports learning, connection, and community engagement for visitors of all ages. This work builds on the firm’s ongoing partnership with the County of Riverside, including the nearby Home Gardens Library, which is nearing completion.

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As the Department’s operational model has broadened to encompass an increasing level of service to the community – particularly in the area of emergency medical services – stations built in the ‘60s and ‘70s had become out-of-sync with the Department’s expanded mission. The thoughtful design of these buildings and environments represent a great new experience for these first-responders and support staff which will significantly increase the functionality and flexibility of their space, firefighter comfort and parity across stations; along with an enhanced civic presence and identity.

Master Planning:

Westgroup Designs completed facility condition assessments, master planning, and comprehensive programming to ensure that each fire station could fully support the Downey Fire Department's commitment to meeting the challenges of the future while providing state-of-the-art service to the Downey Community. This increase in area will contribute to a significant increase in facility functionality and flexibility. Notable as well are improvements to firefighter lodging, dining, and support elements, all planned to achieve greater comfort and parity across the several stations with anticipated benefits to first responder morale and preparedness. Fire Station #4 changes include:

Existing Station Area: 3,793 sf | Total New Station Area: 7,693 sf
• Enlarged and improved Apparatus Bay
• Replacement of 1 existing dorm room, a modest group dormitory space, 2 shared bathrooms with shower, and a shared locker room with 7 single occupancy dorm rooms sharing individual bathrooms at a typical ratio of 1 bathroom for every 2 dorm rooms
• New/modernized support spaces including exercise room, dayroom, kitchen, and separate dining area

Fire Station #1:

This increase in area will contribute to a significant increase in facility functionality and flexibility. Notable as well are improvements to firefighter lodging, dining, and support elements, all planned to achieve greater comfort and parity across the several stations with anticipated benefits to first responder morale and preparedness. Fire Station #1 changes include:

Existing Station Area: 11,800 sf | Total New Station Area: 13,139 sf
• New/modernized, raised-floor Command Center and Data Center
• Replacement of 3 existing dorm rooms; 6 sleeping alcoves in a group dormitory space; and gang toilet room, showers, and locker room with 13 single-occupancy dorm rooms sharing individual bathrooms at a typical ratio of 1 bathroom for every 2 dorm rooms
• New/modernized support spaces including exercise room, dayroom, kitchen, and separate dining area and interior improvements to the existing Annex Building

Fire Station #2:

This increase in area will contribute to a significant increase in facility functionality and flexibility. Notable as well are improvements to firefighter lodging, dining, and support elements, all planned to achieve greater comfort and parity across the several stations with anticipated benefits to first responder morale and preparedness. Fire Station #2 changes include:

Existing Station Area: 3,681 sf, | Total New Station Area: 6,791 sf
• Enlarged and improved Apparatus Bay
• Replacement of 1 existing dorm room; 4 sleeping alcoves in a group dormitory space; and gang toilet room, showers, and locker room with 7 single occupancy dorm rooms sharing individual bathrooms at a typical ratio of 1 bathroom for every 2 dorm rooms
• New/modernized support spaces including exercise room, dayroom, kitchen, and separate dining area

Fire Station #3:

This increase in area will contribute to a significant increase in facility functionality and flexibility. Notable as well are improvements to firefighter lodging, dining, and support elements, all planned to achieve greater comfort and parity across the several stations with anticipated benefits to first responder morale and preparedness. Fire Station #3 changes include:

Existing Station Area: 3,727 sf | Total New Station Area: 8,191 sf
• Enlarged and improved Apparatus Bay
• Replacement of 3 existing dorm rooms, a single shared bathroom and shower area, and shared locker room with 7 single-occupancy dorm rooms sharing individual bathrooms at a typical ratio of 1 bathroom for every 2 dorm rooms
• New/modernized support spaces including exercise room, dayroom, kitchen, and separate dining area

Fire Station #4: 

This increase in area will contribute to a significant increase in facility functionality and flexibility. Notable as well are improvements to firefighter lodging, dining, and support elements, all planned to achieve greater comfort and parity across the several stations with anticipated benefits to first responder morale and preparedness. Fire Station #4 changes include:

Existing Station Area: 3,793 sf | Total New Station Area: 7,693 sf
• Enlarged and improved Apparatus Bay
• Replacement of 1 existing dorm room, a modest group dormitory space, 2 shared bathrooms with shower, and a shared locker room with 7 single occupancy dorm rooms sharing individual bathrooms at a typical ratio of 1 bathroom for every 2 dorm rooms
• New/modernized support spaces including exercise room, dayroom, kitchen, and separate dining area

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Riverside County needed a place to serve their community. They asked for a new 24,000 sf facility that would fit the modest scale of the surrounding rural residential community, while also providing the local families and residents with an array of services and activities to take part in.

The interiors of the new library are strategically designed to separate the quiet areas from the action-oriented ones. Interior window seating areas are built into the perimeter, providing relaxing spaces to read while maximizing natural light and garden views. Planned along the interior linear building spine, designated rooms for teens and children were created for flexible, collaborative learning. These learning spaces, along with study rooms and self-check-out are supported by progressive technology for events and programmed activities.

The resulting interior design provides an engaging multi-functional amenity space with cutting edge technology.

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The Frank Bland Regional Training Center is a recognized leader in progressive law enforcement training and their sought after programs were rapidly outgrowing their existing 7,000 sf facility. The Sheriff’s department is committed to enhancing the delivery of training and they needed a modernized facility that would accommodate increasing enrollment and live up to the high standards of their mission.

To support both the growth and reputation of San Bernardino County Sheriff’s training programs, we focused our design on elevating the facility’s working and learning environments through enhanced daylighting, improved acoustics, state-of-the-art technology and more open, collaborative spaces.

Renovations to the existing building consist of upgrades to the gymnasium, classrooms, offices and conference rooms. Expansion efforts include the addition of a 3,500 sf building with additional classroom and office space, enclosures to seamlessly connect the two building functions and new entry areas for the training center.

Westgroup’s final design provides students and staff with an expanded, modern facility with state-of-the-art digital technology and new civic face to the community.

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When articulating the improvements needed on the Historic Courthouse, the County of Riverside envisioned something seemingly paradoxical. This 45,000 sf building needed an exterior and interior face lift that could properly adopt modern needs while still remaining true to its unique historic structure. The Courts sought advancement, but they also needed to stay grounded in their traditional foundation.

To tackle the exterior renovation of the Courts, we utilized our team’s extensive knowledge of and sensitivity to authentic lighting, hardware, security, furnishings and function to provide for a complete restoration.

Then, when wrestling with the interior tenant improvements, we focused on integrating new technology without disturbing the original 1930s character of the building. Our modifications included providing increased vertical volume to public areas in order to enhance circulation space and illumination. We also incorporated 21st century components such as state-of-the-art audio/visual systems, nestled behind intricately detailed wooden wall panels.

The result? The building was able to retain its traditional appeal but with progressive convenience.

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The County of Riverside wanted a space where they could properly service victims of crime. They needed a full stop shop for the district attorney, public defender and city council, and they also wished to make the building home to the Riverside County Law Library. Beyond that, they hoped that the 90,400 sf new construction would breathe on environmentally efficient technology and become a durable facility for its people.

Together with the county’s multiple user groups as well as the developer team, we drove this vision forward by providing of architecture, interior planning, FF&E, finish coordination and artwork selection services. We honed our attention on the specific areas of each floor, from the conference, storage and break rooms to the private offices, cubicles, library shelving and multiple lobbies. By using custom furnishing, special lighting and sustainable materials, we helped create a welcoming atmosphere as well as a functional environment best suited for the state-of-the-art facility and the populations it serves.

As for the exterior of the building, we conducted major remodeling efforts on the existing structures and made a multitude of modifications such as seismic retrofitting and high level security improvements via implementation of special parking measures, locking systems and corridor and room separations between user groups and prisoners.

Completed four months ahead of schedule and $2 million under budget, the project received LEED Platinum Certification. Our contribution resulted in a timeless, professional and efficient building ready to address the needs of county employees as well as new patrons and residents.

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