Douglas Pancake Architects is a California-based architectural firm specializing in innovative architecture and design of senior living facilities. We work diligently to provide quality architectural services critical to delivering an exceptional project.

Ground Up New Construction
Ground Up Construction is when a structure is built completely from scratch. This allows you to have full authority of the design and full customization to tailor-make your respective project.

Repositioning/Repurposing of Existing Buildings
Repositioning and/or Repurposing an existing building is a delicate balance between navigating existing conditions while simultaneously adding new value. Our team not only approaches the process in a traditional sense but also will look for outside of the box solutions to creatively merge the old and new, giving life to the project with vibrant amenities and activated spaces.

Feasibility Studies and Assistance with Acquisitions
From Site planning to building space design and massing exploration, our team is well equipped to assist with the acquisition process of a potential location for a project.

Master Planning and Site Planning
This initial step of the design process involves understanding the site constraints and exploring the potential opportunities that are inherent within those parameters. Our team will collaboratively work with the client, civil engineer, and landscape architect to vet out those opportunities to give shape to the project.

Programming and Conceptual Design
We thoroughly communicate with our clients to meticulously program their space planning desires. This allows us to arrive at thoughtful conceptual design diagrams, which are then realized in the next phase of the project process.

Schematic Design
Our team of designers will refine the conceptual design diagrams to determine specific unit plans, common area amenities, points of entry and circulation nodes. We combine this effort with our 3D BIM process to help the project take form beyond just the floor plans.

Entitlement Support
Our experienced team can assist any project navigate the challenges of various city’s design review boards and respective planning ordinances to gain approvals for entitlement.

Design Development
Based upon the approved Schematic Design, our design team furthers the project evolution to describe the size and character of the project consisting of floor plans, building plans, exterior elevations, sections and other related deliverables.

Construction Documents
The completed Design Development documents are further coordinated with our team of engineering consultants to produce a detailed complete set of construction documents to be submitted to the respective governing agency for plan check review and permit approval.

Construction Administration
Our team is well versed in dealing with various contractor RFIs, Submittals and other related requests to help guide the construction process seamlessly to project completion.

Fire Life Safety and RCFE Consulting
Our expertise in Senior Living Design allows us to consult on the unique nuances for Fire Life Safety and RCFE consultation, as it pertains to Senior Living.  We work collaboratively with the client and respective code enforcement agencies to seek a mutually agreeable solution for potentially difficult issues that can inhibit the realization of a budding project.

Peer Review Consulting
Based on our expansive background in Senior Living Design, our team of experts can provide review of a design to offer constructive feedback from space planning and desired adjacencies to code related requirements as they pertain to senior living architectural design.