Chapa-De Indian Health South Placer Clinic
Rocklin, Ca
Client
Chapa-De Indian Health
Completion
2026
Size
62,000
Program Components
Medical Office Building, Dental Clinic, Behavior Health and Diabetes, Administration
Supporting Wellness Through Design
Our work with Chapa-De Indian Health is grounded in a shared respect for community, culture, and care. The new facility is more than a place for healing — it’s a reflection of the land it stands on, the people it serves, and the values it upholds. Through thoughtful design, the project supports Chapa-De’s mission to treat the whole patient while honoring the deep connection between wellness, environment, and identity.
Sectors
HealthcareLand as a Life Source
The project site exists within a living, transitional landscape—where upland terrain meets the sensitive ecologies of the wetlands. Historically, these lands supported rich natural cycles through the movement of water, wildlife, and native vegetation. Over time, these systems were fragmented and disrupted. The design team sought to restore these patterns—not only as an ecological strategy, but as an acknowledgment of the land’s inherent ability to sustain life. Through topographic shaping, planting, and stormwater design, the site is reconnected to the broader ecosystem, allowing the land to function once again as a regenerative and life-giving force.
A Building of the Land
Through research into the cultural values of the United Auburn Indian Community, we came to understand their deep relationship with the land—a connection often expressed through the idea of being a people of the land. This understanding shaped the design approach, grounding it in respect for place, ecological awareness, and cultural continuity. The building was conceived not as an object placed on the site, but as something emerging from it. Its architecture responds to natural systems—maximizing daylight, working with prevailing winds, and using materials and forms that resonate with the surrounding landscape. The organization of space encourages flexibility and openness, creating a building that honors both the land and the people it serves.
Treating the Whole Patient
This relationship between land, people, and architecture supports a broader goal: to treat the whole patient. Health is not only clinical—it is physical, emotional, cultural, and environmental. The building’s design reflects this holistic approach, providing calm, light-filled spaces that are adaptable, dignified, and welcoming. By grounding the building in the land and the values of the community, the project creates an environment that nurtures well-being at every level—reconnecting individuals to place, culture, and the natural systems that sustain life.