Viejas Casino & Hotel Expansion

LOCATION:

Alpine, CA

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

This project consists of 180,000 square feet of factory outlet retail center, the Viejas Casino & Turf Club, and resort hotel in Alpine, California. Native American symbolism inherent to the Viejas Tribe dominates the feel and character of both the architecture and the landscape architecture. Outdoor plazas and courtyards evoke spiritual identities, and include a Water Court, a Fire Court, an Earth Court, and an Air Court. A Show Court is located near the center of the project where daily Native American interpretive performances are presented to the public.

The landscape theme was a critical program element in the design of the entire project. It was important to the client to have an artificial, yet powerful environment that educated the center’s visitors about the Viejas people, culture, and history. The landscaping is one-of-a-kind in Southern California, featuring a wide variety of drought tolerant and native plant material. Every element on the site was carefully thought out and located to add special meaning to the existing Viejas Tribe. Part of the beauty of this project is in the detail, noticed only subconsciously to most. Elements include Indian petroglyphs added into the stone paving, trellis awnings, and rocks and trees placed to symbolize ancient Indian beliefs. Pottery, artifacts, and storyboards were placed to educate the public and give homage to ancestors that once lived on the site. Large trees were saved and built around due to their significance to the tribe. The entire project was completely relocated on several separate occasions due to important artifacts found during excavation causing almost complete last-minute redesign of the project.