WD promotes Breast Cancer Awareness and funds research efforts through Team Enrichment Challenge and Industry Design Competition.

Our mission is to support the cause.
Our dream is that one day we won’t have to.

Passionate about both wellness and design, our WD team eagerly looks forward to the time in October when we can Do Good for our community as we creatively promote Breast Cancer Awareness and contribute to research efforts through our staff and firm’s annual events. Participating in our 5th Annual Wine & Design, an event in collaboration with A Common Thread for the Cure, a nonprofit organization that supports breast cancer patients and survivors, we, along with other local architecture & design firms, are invited to design 2 wine labels, a white and a red variety, for a selected winery who will produce the wine and donate profits from these special bottles to the non-profit organization.

This year, the inspirational theme provided was “With Spirit and Grace”. Our design team’s approach was to beautifully interpret the concept in two directions. The first, Bordeaux Blend, reflects a spark that ignites hope; finding the spirit within yourself, to move with grace through any adversity that is brought your way. The second label, for the Grenache Blanc, represents Unity. Every person, regardless of condition, appearance, story or challenges, are united; stronger together, through whatever cards one is dealt.

We are proud to continue partnering with this organization and lending a voice to the great work they are doing. Thanks to our Sponsors, Tangram and Milliken, for their support throughout the entire Wine & Design event!

We are also delighted to support Susan G. Komen For The Cure, through our internal Wellness Challenges. The winning team of our workout challenge gets to send a donation in their name to this organization which has the capacity to support patients through all stages: the awareness, early detection, treatment, and care for those affected by breast cancer.

Enriching the community is part of our focus each day - with our staff, clients and industry partners- through volunteering and competitions like this which make a difference in the way our clients live, work, play and heal.

The challenge structure was shaken up, but the competition remained fierce. Westgroup Designs hosts its second round of the wellness challenge between WD employees to elevate our minds, bodies, and our community!

The battle of the two teams, WD Aqua + WD Fireballs, was just as close as the last round, inspiring enthusiasm each week through exciting mini challenges. This round of the wellness challenge was all about making small changes. Changing just one bad habit and reinforcing great ones can make all the difference in us and our surroundings! Staff was given weekly tasks that vary in difficulty- from drinking the recommended eight glasses of water a day, going on a hike, or doing something kind for a stranger. These tasks challenged the participants to explore new ways to improve themselves, and inspired teamwork and comradery in the office!

This time Team Aqua was crowned victorious, receiving a donation for a charity that is important to them: The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

“Having the winning team choose the charity that will receive a donation is incredibly uplifting. People are inspired to work that much harder to meet their wellness challenge goals. It boosts positive energy- Everyone is in it to win it!" Sima Hassani, Principal

Enriching the community is part of what we focus on each day with our staff, clients and industry partners- through volunteering and competitions like this, to focusing on even the smallest details in each project, which make a difference in the way our clients live, work, play and heal.

They say all good things come in three’s, so keep checking in to see what we have coming up next!

In May, Fillmore USD secured $3 million in Career Technical Education project funds for Fillmore High School. Westgroup Design’s architectural solution will bring two new CTE buildings to the campus that will support Transportation (i.e. automotive) and Agriscience/Agricultural Mechanics pathways. The facilities will give students hands-on experience with state-of-the-art automotive diagnostics and repair equipment, greenhouse horticulture, and wood, metal and CNC fabrication.

“It’ll breathe a breath of fresh air onto the campus and into the community,” said Superintendent Dr. Adrian Palazuelos, and will allow the District “…the ability to realize the dream of creating the facility that our students deserve.”

As part of Fillmore USD’s facilities improvement efforts at Fillmore High School, Westgroup Designs is overhauling the campus electrical infrastructure to support future projects, such as a new Gymnasium, Performing Arts Center, and Administration, as well as modernization of existing classrooms.

In addition to work with Fillmore USD, Westgroup Designs is currently finishing construction of two High School campuses for Garden Grove USD that was made possible by $40 million of State AB 300 seismic replacement funds WD’s fast-track design solution secured. The construction is more than 50% complete, with the work phased to allow the campus to remain open without the need of interim housing.

See the District’s full press release here.

As a kick-off to our year-long Health & Wellness Awareness Program, Westgroup Designs hosted a 6-week staff wellness challenge to better our minds, bodies, and most importantly- our community. The winning team received a donation to a Southern California charity of their choice!

The healthy competition pitted the WD Fireballs against the WD Aquaholics, names referenced from our brand color palette, while each team focused on selecting their specific charity. The two teams completed a Fit-Bit Walking Challenge, Daily movement team workout challenge and nutrition challenge events among other activities, for a 6-week period and received points based upon involvement in activities and making healthier choices! It was a close match, with teams ‘neck and neck’ to the finish line! In the end, it was Team WD Fireballs who finished on top and won a donation to the charity of their choice: CHOC, Children’s Hospital of Orange County!

Westgroup staff had fun encouraging each other to meet individual and team goals, all in the name of wellness and wonderful causes to fight for! Bettering the community is part of what we focus on each day with our staff, clients and industry partners- through helping hands, volunteering, and competitions like this, to the details in each project, which make a difference in the way our clients live, work, play and heal. Stay tuned for updates on our next challenge!

Children’s Hospital of Orange County ensures the health and well-being of children and their families living in Orange County. As a non-profit hospital, CHOC relies on community support to provide leading-edge care for infants, children and adolescents. You can visit https://www.choc.org/ to learn more.

Virtual Reality through Visualization is now the norm to create that desired three-dimensional immersive experience, whether gaming for fun or building physical space. This digital experience can create an understanding of a project’s look and feel, and shows the potential of where a project can go.

As part of our typical design process, beginning with space planning, we work in 3D- in real space, in real time. Here is a sample of one of our recent projects, developed with our 3D modeling technology! This digital experience, customized to satisfy the viewer’s curiosity for detail, reveals the ultimate potential of the space, enhancing the understanding of the space’s look, feel and function.

Whether designers or end users of great space, we are all visual people…and delight in being given this opportunity to see beyond what mere drawings can tell us. Utilizing tools like this on every project not only expedites the design process, saving time, but is an invaluable tool for collaboration and communication, from early conceptual modeling to the final construction documentation.

We invite you to immerse yourself in the early phase of the design process with us….Step inside and enjoy the experience!

Congratulations to David Smith, Ken Ong, Robyn Taylor, Craig Whitridge, Dave Duff and Jon Freeberg on their promotions!

Westgroup Designs is proud to announce the well-deserved promotions for several of our team members! Thanks to the progressive leadership style with innovative approach to design solutions, these invaluable team members continue to chart new paths to improve environments that help people work, learn, serve, play and heal. WD is proud to announce the following promotions:

David Smith promoted to Principal at Westgroup Designs.
With a 35+ year career, Dave has been responsible for a range of diverse, award-winning projects and continues to lead our team through successful planning, design, and construction phases of work.

Kenneth Ong promoted to Associate Principal at Westgroup Designs.
Ken brings over two decades of professional experience and an impressive body of work that includes international high-rise projects as well as mixed-use, retail, commercial office and K- 14 academic buildings.

Robyn Taylor promoted to Associate Principal at Westgroup Designs.
A Certified Interior Designer with three decades of experience in creative workplace, and with lifestyle, health & wellness, and commercial clients, Robyn is regarded as an expert in the delivery of transformational  environments that promote clear branding, learning, collaboration and communication, efficiency and enhanced user experience.

Craig Whitridge promoted to Senior Associate at Westgroup Designs.
Craig offers a vast amount of technical expertise in projects including office, medical, civic, manufacturing, military, entertainment, residential, and school buildings. His dedication to quality and attention to detail have earned him industry praise and recognition from contractors, owners, and building operators alike.

Dave Duff promoted to Associate at Westgroup Designs.
Dave’s 25+ years of architectural experience form the basis of his exceptional expertise and mentorship in design team management, client collaboration, construction documentation and construction administration. His expertise includes civic, K-12, mixed-use, and retail.

Jon Freeberg promoted to Associate at Westgroup Designs.
Jon’s leadership and commitment to modern, sustainable practices across all aspects of the design and construction process have resulted in WD’s most notable high-performance buildings.

About Westgroup Designs
Westgroup Designs (WD) is a comprehensive Planning, Architecture and Interior Design firm with locations in Los Angeles and Orange County. Founded in 1989, WD is a woman-owned business that values passion, integrity, execution, teamwork and an enthusiasm for discovery. We specialize in educational, civic, aviation, healthcare, and commercial facilities, ranging from tenant improvements and renovations to new ground-up buildings and campuses. Learn more about our company culture on Instagram.