KTGY

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South Cove, First New For-Sale Residential Development in Dana Point to Open in Decades

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KTGY-designed seaside living offers three unique residential styles, many with rooftop decks and ocean views: townhomes, twin homes and single-level living flats in Orange County

IRVINE, California - International award-winning firm KTGY Architecture + Planning is pleased to announce the recent opening of the KTGY-designed residential models at South Cove in Dana Point, California. Built by San Diego-based real estate development company Zephyr, this is Dana Point’s first new for-sale residential development to open in decades. South Cove is a unique, barefoot community that exudes laid-back luxury in a highly-coveted coastal setting at the southern gateway of Dana Point.

Located at 34202 Del Obispo Street in Dana Point, the new residential community features a mix of 168 one-, two- and three-story flats, townhomes and twin homes, 883 - 2,126 square feet. Within a stone’s throw of the Pacific Ocean, South Cove offers immediate access to Dana Point Harbor, Doheny State Beach and some of the best shopping and dining in Southern California. Nestled in one of the last true beach towns in California, South Cove is a rare find residents will treasure.

According to KTGY Principal David Obitz, the design of South Cove is inspired by beach-town influences with a master-plan feel. There are three residential types: single-level living flats (Aliso), tri-level townhomes (Trestles) and twin homes (Strands). The Strands model offers dual master suites, first level California (covered outdoor) rooms and only share one wall with a neighbor. All three residences will have attached garages and come equipped with the latest green technology including pre-wiring for electric vehicles.

Some of the residences will have indoor/outdoor floor plans, balconies, porches, rooftop decks and options for beach rinses and dens. Amenities include a swimming pool with cabanas and common areas throughout the community.

Home prices start from the low $600,000s to mid-$1 million. Ten residences will include live/work space with commercial opportunities on Pacific Coast Highway and 17 of the homes will be offered as affordable housing.

The three products are intermixed in the three distinct districts. “Village” is closest to transit and interacts with shops and restaurants. “Boardwalk” is more linear and opens to views. “Peninsula” fronts the creek and faces Pacific Coast Highway; these units offer the best ocean views. The homes are offered in three architectural styles: Traditional (Spanish) Transitional and Contemporary.

“We are pleased to be offering these designs in response to the tremendous demand for distinctive homes along the coast that fit buyers’ active Southern California lifestyle,” said Obitz. “Many of today’s buyers are looking for high style but they also want low maintenance that supports their active lifestyle. At the ground floor, we created storage spaces for outdoor/beach ‘toys’ such as surfboards, beach cruisers and paddle boards. There are also outdoor living spaces and showers at the ground level.”

Bordering Pacific Coast Highway and the southern edge of South Cove is a new one-acre public park in dedication to the surf legends and the history of Dana Point, the birthplace of the surf industry, noted Obitz. The park will feature life-sized sculptures of local surf legends including a 27-foot sculpture of Hobie Alter, the creator of the foam surfboard, and the history of Dana Point, and will connect to Dana Point’s existing nature and bike trails.

For more information about South Cove, visit: www.livesouthcove.com

About Zephyr
Zephyr redefines the rules of real estate and development through its variety of high-end residential, mixed-use and hospitality communities throughout Southern California. The company, based in Encinitas, manages projects from concept to completion, with creative approaches that meet a multitude of community needs.

Founded by Brad Termini and Dane Chapin in 2008, Zephyr has successfully acquired, entitled, developed, built and sold more than $750 million worth of mixed-use developments. Current projects include The Park, Bankers Hill, a 14-story midrise with 60 luxury residences located adjacent to Balboa Park; ultra-luxury custom homes in various coastal communities under the Zephyr Signature umbrella; South Cove, a mixed-use development in Dana Point which will feature a community park with public art and 168 luxury residences; and a world-class resort with resort villas on an ocean-front bluff in Del Mar. For more information, visit www.builtbyzephyr.com. 

About KTGY Architecture + Planning
KTGY Architecture + Planning is an international award-winning full-service architecture and planning firm delivering innovation, artistry and attention to detail across multiple offices and studios, ensuring that clients and communities get the best the firm has to offer no matter the building type or location. KTGY’s architects and planners combine big picture opportunities, leading-edge sustainable practices and impeccable design standards to help create developments of enduring value. KTGY serves clients worldwide from offices located in Chicago, Denver, Irvine, Los Angeles, Oakland, Pune and Tysons. Visit www.ktgy.com

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360 5th Street in San Francisco’s SoMa District Gets Green Light 

IRVINE, Calif. – International award-winning firm KTGY Architecture + Planning announced today that the new mixed-use residential community at 360 5th Street in San Francisco, developed by Trammell Crow Residential (TCR) and designed by KTGY, was recently approved by the planning commission. The new $95 million development located in San Francisco’s SoMa (South of Market Street) district includes 127 apartment homes and over 9,300 square feet of retail and creative workspace on .53 acres.

TCR and KTGY worked diligently with the surrounding community to respect the area’s considerable history while providing modern new residences to the area. Connecting the new building with its neighborhood and with the city of San Francisco was a major focus of the design. 

“The building faces 5th Street, a major arterial, and is bound by Clara Street and Shipley Street,” said Jessica Musick, Associate Principal in KTGY’s Oakland office. “The side streets are narrower ‘living streets’ where the intention of the city is to create residential enclaves. The architecture facing the living streets is designed at a smaller scale, with street-level front doors and stoops. We have also included references to the San Francisco tradition of bay windows. The bays provide both character and texture to the building façade at the same time, filling the residences with light and directed views to the outside.”

To put a modern spin on the traditional bay window design, there is a colorful “belt” around the building that shifts the view focus within the units from downtown to the bay. A generous roof deck overlooking the living street as well as 5th Street both activate the street edges and ensure usable open space is exclusive to the residents.

While the ground-level units enjoy the connection to the street, upper units are elevated flats and select units have private decks. Shadow analysis along the top of the building led KTGY to incorporate step-backs in the building design, optimizing the light to the building and the neighbors. According to Musick, the design makes maximum use of the building envelope, under the current zoning, with five levels of Type III construction over three levels of Type I.

The SoMa area is currently home to artisan and craftsman businesses and the local community prides itself on the “makers” arts community and expressed this as an important value. “TCR’s plans for the new development include creative workspace and some retail spaces at the ground floor level, further preserving the sense of community for SoMa,” Musick noted.  

According to Bruce Dorfman, Senior Managing Director of TCR’s Northern California division, “TCR is pleased to receive approvals for this highly visible and walkable site in Central SOMA. Adding 127 new residential units to this neighborhood as well as creating 8,011 square feet of space for production, distribution and repair and arts activities uses and 1,300 square feet of retail will enhance this area. The development also includes streetscape improvements along Shipley, 5th and Clara streets to greatly improve the pedestrian experience.”  

The location’s proximity to public transportation and high walkability score resulted in a minimal number of parking spaces being incorporated in the development. 360 5th Street’s accessibility to transportation is excellent and will be augmented by San Francisco’s Central Subway, one of the biggest infrastructure projects in the city. The new line will serve popular destinations along the 1.7 miles from SoMa to Chinatown including Moscone Center and Union Square. Located just blocks from one another, 360 5th Street and the Central Subway are both planned to open in 2019.

KTGY and TCR are also working together on several other projects in the Bay Area including the Alexan Webster, located in Oakland’s Lake Merritt neighborhood, which involves redeveloping a public surface parking lot in a public/private venture with the City of Oakland. The $135 million project, which is currently under construction, includes the development of a replacement parking structure owned by the City and a luxury apartment community with retail space and a dramatic public art installation.  Additionally, KTGY has designed portions of Alameda Point Town Center master plan for TCR, which is the first phase of the redevelopment of the former Naval Air Station in Alameda, and Napa Creek condominium development project in the city of Napa. The Oakland office of KTGY has a 20-plus-year history working with many of the top residential developers designing both market rate and affordable residential communities for residents living in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Trammell Crow Residential
Trammell Crow Residential (TCR) is the premier multi-family real estate company – the only national group with nearly 40 years of experience in residential development and asset management. Since 1977, Dallas-based TCR has developed more than 250,000 units in major markets. With deep knowledge of local trends and a contemporary vision, TCR is proud to develop and construct market-leading rental communities that offer residents a comfortable and convenient lifestyle. For more information, please visit TCR.com.

About KTGY Architecture + Planning
KTGY Architecture + Planning is an international award-winning full-service architecture and planning firm delivering innovation, artistry and attention to detail across multiple offices and studios, ensuring that clients and communities get the best the firm has to offer no matter the building type or location. KTGY’s architects and planners combine big picture opportunities, leading-edge sustainable practices and impeccable design standards to help create developments of enduring value. KTGY serves clients worldwide from offices located in Chicago, Denver, Irvine, Los Angeles, Oakland, Pune and Tysons. Visit www.ktgy.com

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LOS ANGELES - KTGY Architecture + Planning has designed The Theo, a new 105-unit multifamily building rising at 289 N. El Molino Avenue in Pasadena, California. KTGY is working with developer Summerhill Apartment Communities, as well as Pasadena Heritage and City of Pasadena Design Commission, on a structure that addresses its historic surroundings.

Walkable to Old Pasadena, the building is adjacent to the Theodore Parker Lukens House. Built in 1886-87, the Victorian home is among the oldest in Pasadena. The Theo apartment building is named after this home’s first owner, who was a prominent conservationist and real estate investor. Also adjacent to the project is a small park and 120-year-old cedar tree.

These natural and historic components figure into KTGY’s design. The six stories of apartments are set amongst courtyards and terraces with views of the San Gabriel Mountains and the Lukens House.

“Rather than compete with the ornate features of this classic residence, The Theo offers a clean, simple, Modernist counterpart with outdoor spaces that overlook and embrace the Lukens House,” says KTGY Executive Director, Design, Keith McCloskey, LEED AP.  

These spaces include an observation room on the southeast corner, directly facing the Lukens House. This covered, naturally-ventilated seating area also features historical information about the house.

The Theo offers additional varieties of outdoor spaces: rooftop amenity space, pool and spa area, cabana terrace, lobby courtyard, outdoor kitchen and dining, dog-wash area, and private terraces. The building steps down in a series of terraces, from six to two levels, to accommodate these different programmed areas.

“Pasadena requires 30 percent of total gross square footage to be outdoor usable open spaces,” says McCloskey. “We configured these in combinations of active and passive courtyards – each curated to create a unique experience and many to maximize different views.”

The Theo is slated to open in August 2019.

About KTGY Architecture + Planning
Celebrating 25 years, KTGY Architecture + Planning is an international award-winning full-service architecture and planning firm delivering innovation, artistry and attention to detail across multiple offices and studios, ensuring that clients and communities get the best the firm has to offer no matter the building type or location. KTGY’s architects and planners combine big picture opportunities, leading-edge sustainable practices and impeccable design standards to help create developments of enduring value. KTGY serves clients worldwide from offices located in Chicago, Denver, Irvine, Los Angeles, Oakland, Pune and Tysons. Visit www.ktgy.com

Design by KTGY Architecture + Planning Combines Architectural Character with Speed-to-Market for L.A.’s First Series of Homeless Developments to Use Shipping Containers

LOS ANGELES - - KTGY Architecture + Planning has unveiled designs for Hope on Alvarado, a new building that will be the first of a series of housing developments in highly walkable communities, providing support services for individuals transitioning from homelessness. The building, west of downtown in the Westlake District of Los Angeles (166 S. Alvarado Street), is moving quickly through the development process and is slated to begin a six-month construction period in the first part of 2018. The accelerated construction is due to a unique design incorporating shipping containers as a primary building material. 

Aedis Real Estate Group is the developer of the building. It is the first of a series of Hope developments in Los Angeles to be built within the next year using the shipping-container design. The plan is to continue this forward-thinking, cost-effective model for affordable housing in dense, urban areas from San Diego to Seattle.

“One major advantage of using shipping containers is the dramatic reduction in construction time. While sitework and foundations are being constructed on site, the containers are being manufactured off site, including most interior finishes and fittings,” said Mark Oberholzer AIA, LEED AP, Associate Principal with KTGY Architecture + Planning.

“We’re not trying to hide the fact that these are shipping containers,” added Keith Labus AIA, LEED AP, Principal of KTGY Architecture + Planning. “There would be great costs associated with creating the level of character they already have. Our approach is to work with what we have and develop something unique at each location.”

KTGY’s design is centered on a central courtyard, providing privacy and encouraging safety and a sense of community. Floor-to-ceiling glazing distinguishes the support-services office space on the street-level. The development is designed to LEED standards but is not seeking certification. The speed of construction and efficient use of building materials is among the project’s sustainable attributes.

The four-story Hope on Alvarado will offer 84 units of studios and one-bedroom apartments on a .44-acre site at 166 Alvarado Street. Unit plan sizes are 400-480 square feet. Located within the building, parking spaces will be provided for social services staff and each resident will have a bike-storage space.

The Hope Homeless Housing developments are financed by LSA Capital in partnership with Project Sponsor Jerry Jacobs with Scott Baldridge and Leslie Weiss, working with the Foundation for Affordable Housing. The shipping containers converted into prefabricated dwelling units are sourced locally in Los Angeles.

Each of the residential apartments is created using several containers, which are modified by removing the doors and portions of the exterior metal skin and adding floor-to-ceiling windows and interior fixtures and finishes. The containers are transported by truck to the site and a crane is used to fit and stack them together into a single building. Appliances are furnished on site.

About KTGY Architecture + Planning
Celebrating 25 years, KTGY Architecture + Planning is an international award-winning full-service architecture and planning firm delivering innovation, artistry and attention to detail across multiple offices and studios, ensuring that clients and communities get the best the firm has to offer no matter the building type or location. KTGY’s architects and planners combine big picture opportunities, leading-edge sustainable practices and impeccable design standards to help create developments of enduring value. KTGY serves clients worldwide from offices located in Chicago, Denver, Irvine, Los Angeles, Oakland, Pune and Tysons. Visit www.ktgy.com

IRVINE, CALIF. - International award-winning KTGY Architecture + Planning is pleased to announce that KTGY’s excellence in residential design and planning have been recognized by the Building Industry Association’s (BIA) Greater Sales and Marketing Council’s 2017 SoCal Awards program. Three KTGY-designed communities received honors for the architectural design of single-family detached and multifamily rental residential communities and home plans at the SoCal Awards ceremony held on Saturday, September 30th, at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim. Oakwood Olympic & Olive in Los Angeles won the top award for Best Architectural Design of a Multi-Family Community. The SoCal Awards program honors the best in professional achievement, sales, marketing and design throughout the Southern California home building industry.

KTGY’s award-winning designs are: 

Oakwood Olympic & Olive in Los Angeles by Lennar Multifamily Communities

AWARD: Best Architectural Design of a Multi-Family Community

Oakwood Olympic & Olive in Los Angeles engages its context with its form, program and materiality. The project massing opens to the urban fabric, sharing the main outdoor courtyard experience with the city. Seventh-level massing peels away at the corner providing a rooftop terrace with kitchen and lounge seating. Feature sign, reminiscent of the landmark roof-top signs like those at the Rosslyn Hotel, announces the project’s location. Retail lines Olympic Blvd., enhancing the pedestrian experience. Leasing office, and townhome units line Olive Street, bringing residential to the street and concealing two levels of parking. With a Walk Score 95, Transit Score 100 and Bike Score 82, Oakwood Olympic & Olive embraces its neighborhood with bold gestures and is an example of how architectural design contributes to modern living.

Towns at Bristol in Chino Hills by Trumark Homes

FINALIST HONORS: Best Architectural Design – Attached Home Plan for Plan 1

FINALIST HONORS: Best Architectural Design – Attached Home Plan for Plan 2

Spanish and Mediterranean style architecture, pitched tile roofs, earth tone and white-washed stucco, and welcoming porches set the tone for these three-story townhomes located in Chino Hills. Guests step into the entry of plan one from the front porch, and are welcomed upstairs into the sweeping great room. Site lines from the kitchen carry through the great room to the deck, opening the space and extending the living outdoors. The pitched roof allows for additional height ceilings at the third level, creating airy and expansive bedroom spaces. Laundry placed on the third level, along with one or two additional bedrooms with the expansive master suite, adds convenience. A private ground-floor bedroom and shared full bath establish a guest retreat separate from the living spaces above. With an option for a den, owners can create a space that fits their lifestyle.

The Trails at Baker Ranch in Lake Forest by Toll Brothers, Inc.
FINALIST HONORS: Best Architectural Design of a Detached Home 2,000 to 3,000 sq. ft. for Point Reyes Plan

Nestled into a hillside location in Lake Forest, The Trails at Baker Ranch is a luxurious private enclave with a connection to the natural environment. Pulling influences from Tuscan, Italianate and Spanish Colonial architecture, the design mixes simple gable and hipped roof lines with stone, stucco and brick to create rustic yet refined homes. The color palette leans heavily on earthy, modest hues tying the homes to the adjacent open space. Relating to the location, these two-story homes emphasize the indoor-outdoor relationship providing covered rear loggias, private outdoor decks off the master suite and covered interior courtyards. The open and airy interiors feel modern; rich and authentic materials bring the warmth of the old-world exteriors in. Located in the Saddleback Valley Unified School District, these homes are tailored for established and growing families.

This year, the Greater Sales and Marketing Council received over 400 entries for the SoCal Awards. Six industry professionals served as judges and reviewed digital materials, interviewed over 30 sales professionals and visited 14 communities traveling more than 650 miles throughout Southern California before deciding on the award winners. For more information about the SoCal Awards, visit thesocalawards.com

Building Industry Association’s Greater Sales and Marketing Council
The Greater Sales and Marketing Council (SMC) is comprised of sales and marketing professionals in the homebuilding industry. The SMC is currently the largest and most viable council in the BIA. The council was established in the late ‘60s to enhance the sales and marketing capabilities and reputation of those who represent the BIA. The SMC is dedicated to developing a higher level of professionalism in the general membership through education and the interchange of ideas. The SMC’s governing body consists of a board of directors comprised builders, associates and suppliers. The SMC is committed to education, programs, membership, awards and community service. See greatersmc.com

About KTGY Architecture + Planning
Celebrating 25 years, KTGY Architecture + Planning is an international award-winning full-service architecture and planning firm delivering innovation, artistry and attention to detail across multiple offices and studios, ensuring that clients and communities get the best the firm has to offer no matter the building type or location. KTGY’s architects and planners combine big picture opportunities, leading-edge sustainable practices and impeccable design standards to help create developments of enduring value. KTGY serves clients worldwide from offices located in Chicago, Denver, Irvine, Los Angeles, Oakland, Pune and Tysons. Call 888.456.KTGY or visit www.ktgy.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact:
Anne Monaghan                           

Monaghan Communications       

830.997.0963                                

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New 146-unit Luxury Apartment Community Opens in Menlo Park

OAKLAND, Calif. - International award-winning firm KTGY Architecture + Planning is pleased to announce that Elan Menlo Park, a 146-unit luxury apartment community in Menlo Park, Calif., is nearly complete and has begun leasing. Developed by CityView and Greystar, Elan Menlo Park is a contemporary-designed apartment community located at 3645 Haven Avenue, near major employers, restaurants, shopping, services, medical, education and transit. In addition to the 146 luxury apartment homes, the apartment community features over 17,000 square feet of indoor/outdoor amenity space for residents.

According to Jessica Musick, associate principal at KTGY, “Elan Menlo Park is just minutes to the Dumbarton Bridge, Bayshore 101 Freeway and Facebook’s campus and only 10 minutes to Downtown Menlo Park, Palo Alto or Redwood City. Residents can bike to work, and it’s only a four-minute walk to the Marsh Road Shuttle. When work is over, residents can enjoy the great trail system located adjacent Elan Menlo Park.”

Elan Menlo Park’s design was conceived as a series of six interactively-connected “garden-style” apartments relating to a central amenity area, said Musick. “The prominent three-story amenity building includes a spacious open-area community lounge, game room areas, fitness center, viewing deck, and a leasing and administrative office. The amenity spaces have a visual connection to the outdoor swimming pool and deck, and views to the community green space. The central driveway provides access to the project’s amenity building which serves as a bold backdrop for the arrival sequence,” Musick commented.

Residences will be available in one, two- and three-bedrooms ranging in size from 715 to 1,249 square feet of living space.The well-appointed apartment homes have gourmet kitchens with custom islands, quartz countertops with under mount sinks, glass-tiled backsplashes, European cabinetry and stainless-steel appliances. Floor plans incorporate features such as wood-style plank flooring, abundant windows for natural light, pendant lighting, air conditioning, spacious walk-in closets and in-home full-size washers and dryers.

“In addition to modern finishes within each home, Elan Menlo Park offers a unique collection of amenities, a component that we have seen our community-seeking residents crave,” said Andrew Morcos, development manager at Greystar. “We sought to develop a place where convenience and luxury go hand in hand, and we have already seen an exciting response to the offerings at Elan Menlo Park.”

Community amenities include a club-quality fitness center, a resident lounge and large landscaped interior courtyards with Wi-Fi, bike storage and maintenance stations, automated package delivery system, and a resort-inspired saltwater pool and spa. It will also have an outdoor area with fire pits, barbecue grills and TVs, and a pet area that measures roughly 50 feet by 10 feet.  In addition to covered parking for residents, select apartment homes have an attached garage.

Elan Menlo Park’s general contractor is JS Builders. The interior designer is Parisi Portfolio. The landscape architect is MPA Design. KTGY is the project’s designer.

“The project brings an exciting new residential community to this burgeoning area of Menlo Park that will also feature Anton Menlo, a 394-unit apartment community at 3639 Haven Avenue, and a new 195-unit apartment home community at 777 Hamilton. All three projects are designed by KTGY and will help alleviate some of the demand for housing in this area,” noted Musick.

For more information about Elan Menlo Park, see elanmenlopark.com.

About CityView
CityView is a premier developer and investment management firm focused on urban residential real estate in the Western and Southwestern United States. CityView targets multifamily housing ventures in metropolitan markets which are often overlooked due to the complexity of the transaction and other development challenges. At the center of the firm’s success is its strong professional team which possesses unparalleled expertise in real estate, development, operations and finance. CityView’s investors include some of the largest and most sophisticated public pension plans and financial institutions in the country.

CityView was founded in 2003 and is headquartered in Los Angeles. The firm has regional offices in San Francisco and San Antonio, Texas. For more information, please seewww.cityview.com.

About Greystar
Greystar is a leading, fully integrated real estate company offering expertise in investment management, development and property management of rental housing properties globally. Headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina with offices throughout the United States, Europe, and Latin America, Greystar is the largest operator of apartments in the United States, managing over 400,000 units in over 160 markets globally. Greystar also has a robust institutional investment management platform dedicated to managing capital on behalf of a global network of institutional investors with over $14 billion in gross assets under management including $6.9 billion of developments underway. Greystar was founded by Bob Faith in 1993 with the intent to become a provider of world class service in the rental housing real estate business. To learn more about Greystar, visit www.greystar.com.

About KTGY Architecture + Planning
Celebrating 25 years, KTGY Architecture + Planning is an international award-winning full-service architecture and planning firm delivering innovation, artistry and attention to detail across multiple offices and studios, ensuring that clients and communities get the best the firm has to offer no matter the building type or location. KTGY’s architects and planners combine big picture opportunities, leading-edge sustainable practices and impeccable design standards to help create developments of enduring value. KTGY serves clients worldwide from offices located in Chicago, Denver, Irvine, Los Angeles, Oakland, Pune and Tysons. Visit www.ktgy.com.

Contact:    Anne Monaghan                                                        
                   Monaghan Communications
                   830.997.0963   

LOS ANGELES – International award-winning KTGY Architecture + Planning is pleased to announce that Soo Im, AIA, LEED AP, NCARB and Director, Design in the firm’s Los Angeles office will be a speaker at the 3rd Annual Interface Seniors Housing Midwest on Wednesday, June 7, 2017, in Chicago. She will participate in the panel discussion, “Solving the Industry’s Next Great Challenge: Building and Operating Middle Income Seniors Housing.”

According to Im, designing a successful senior care living environment that targets middle-income seniors requires careful balancing of both the physical building as well as operations. “As you add more amenity spaces, the rentable spaces decrease, and the efficiency in workflow may lessen leading to the need for more staff increases. Decisions like moving the residents to a different floor for dining each meal or providing separate dining rooms on each floor are questions to consider when planning service-enriched environment for seniors,” said Im.

“Some of the basic design strategies include sufficient outdoor and daylight opportunities, decisions that impact efficient workflow and staffing considerations, and affordable building materials,” Im noted. 

“With an eye towards the bottom line, it is critical that the community is highly efficient and not over-designed or over programmed. The physical infrastructure of the building needs to be designed with flexibility in mind -- the ability to convert between different levels of care as the market shifts and to have open and adaptable space planning that keeps amenity spaces flexible and multi-purpose,” Im said. 

Im suggests avoiding specialized spaces that are customized for a specific set of activities. “Flexible space can be designed as an open concept room that uses partitions or can change uses with the change of furniture,” Im added.  

“Also, the infrastructure should be designed in a way that it can take advantage of current and future technology. Technology is one key infrastructure that will shape the way care and service are delivered to the residents, and growth and expansion in this area should be anticipated,” said Im.

“The programming also needs to consider the care staff, operations staff and the residents equally,” Im emphasized. “The physical environment must allow the entire community to thrive as well as provide a strong marketing appeal to potential residents. Developers and operators should distribute program elements throughout the project to optimize daylighting opportunities in the interior spaces, reduce the length of the corridors, and increase natural flow and movement.”

Im continues, “Depending on the climate, the design should include indoor/outdoor rooms or outdoor activity areas to enhance indoor-outdoor socializing opportunities for the residents and visitors.”

“In an effort not to over-program the community, we look for opportunities to take advantage of the site surroundings or partnering opportunities with the neighborhood services to reduce the in-house operated programs,” said Im.

KTGY has found tremendous success with developing mixed-use communities. According to Im, the number one amenity for the 55+ age group is proximity to a grocery store, followed closely by proximity to dining and entertainment, similar to what millennials want. Azulon at Mesa Verde apartment community in Costa Mesa, Calif., which backs up to an existing shopping center, is a great example of how successful this concept can be. “Residents of Azulon can walk out of the backyard and through a private paseo to access a market, drug store, dining, banking and post office among other services,” Im said.

KTGY has designed Griffin Plaza, which incorporates a new 96-unit Assisted Living and Memory Care facility within an existing shopping center in Simi Valley, Calif. The scope of the project includes exterior renovation of the existing retail center to update the aesthetics and improve the pedestrian connection between the retail stores. It also includes the addition of new retail and an outdoor play area to further enhance the center.

“In addition to the amenities of the shopping center, Griffin Plaza features built-in program elements to engage the local community through the sharing of its amenities such as a meeting room dedicated to intergenerational/inter-community activity,” said Im. “The Assisted Living and Memory Care facility amenities will also include private gardens and a roof deck with dining to encourage indoor/outdoor connections.”

Repositioning a project rather than doing a ground up development can offer a more cost-effective solution, according to Im. KTGY has designed Regency Palms, a 91-bed Memory Care under construction in downtown Long Beach, Calif. Regency Palms is a conversion from an existing Assisted Living facility that operated in a historical high-rise building (eight stories with basement and roof deck). KTGY has also completed numerous renovation projects including Angelus Plaza in downtown Los Angeles which is the county’s largest affordable age-qualified community with nearly 1,100 units.

In a suburb of northern Atlanta, KTGY designed The Georgian Lakeside as an all-inclusive 95-unit Assisted Living and Memory Care community set in a beautiful, amenity-rich location overlooking a five-acre lake in Roswell, Georgia. The building’s design maximizes the beautiful lake views seen from all of its dining rooms, the casual bistro, lobby areas and half of the resident suites.

InterFace Seniors Housing Midwest will bring together the leading seniors housing owners, operators, investors, developers and capital markets players in Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri and Nebraska for a full day of information sessions and networking. Attendees will represent a cross section of the seniors housing continuum: assisted living, independent living, memory care, skilled nursing, CCRC, and active adult community owners, operators, developers and investors. 

KTGY is a leader in senior housing design and planning. Im has over 19 years of architectural design, planning and programming experience in both new construction and renovation for a variety of clients and institutions, and has dedicated the majority of her career to the full spectrum of senior living environments from housing to long-term care. Im’s approach to resident-centered design brings innovative and trend-setting solutions to the fast-changing senior living environment, and many of her communities have garnered national recognition and the prestigious AIA Design for Aging awards. Im’s knowledge of the various codes and the regulatory processes in multiple jurisdictions brings efficiency in the project process from very early planning phases, and her organizational skills and proficiency ensure a quality result that expresses each client’s individual style while achieving its business goals. Im is also dedicated to design education and continuous learning. She has served as a design faculty member for both BArch and MArch programs at the Boston Architectural College for 11 years and volunteers as MIT’s Educational Counselor for Southern California region.

About KTGY Architecture + Planning
Celebrating 25 years, KTGY Architecture + Planning is an international award-winning full-service architecture and planning firm delivering innovation, artistry and attention to detail across multiple offices and studios, ensuring that clients and communities get the best the firm has to offer no matter the building type or location. KTGY’s architects and planners combine big picture opportunities, leading-edge sustainable practices and impeccable design standards to help create developments of enduring value. KTGY serves clients worldwide from offices located in Chicago, Denver, Irvine, Los Angeles, Oakland, Pune and Tysons. Call 888.456.KTGY or visit www.ktgy.com, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Vimeo, YouTube.

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Anne Monaghan
MONAGHAN COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
anne@MonaghanPR.com 
830.997.0963

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

COSTA MESA, Calif. (May 8, 2017) - Planet Home Living announces that the first phase of a new limited collection of 20 distinctive, new homes in Costa Mesa is nearing completion. This unique enclave, designed by international award-winning KTGY Architecture + Planning, is located approximately 1/4 mile to The Triangle in Costa Mesa, offering shops, restaurants and bars, plus a cinema, gym, nightclub and bowling alley all within walking distance.

“The interest list is growing rapidly as VITAE nears completion in such a highly desirable location with a fantastic walkability score,” said Planet Home Living CEO Michael Marini. “We are currently offering ‘by appointment only’ tours for those on our interest list prior to our grand opening early this summer.”

VITAE is a community of detached, single-family residences. With no shared walls, the homes provide light and ventilation on all four sides and strike an ideal balance for home buyers who seek spacious, eco-friendly living that is easy to care for and close to where they work and play. The location, within a short walking distance to The Triangle in Costa Mesa, puts owners in the heart of Costa Mesa’score, within two miles of the ocean, and centrally located among beautiful beaches, premier entertainment, restaurants, famed Fashion Island and world-renowned South Coast Plaza. As for schools, UC Irvine, Orange Coast College, Coastline Community College, Vanguard University, and Whittier Law School have their campuses nearby. Freeway access is less than a mile away.

The two and three-level homes offer 2 to 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 bathrooms and approximately 1,620 to 1,700 square feet of living space with an attached, private two-car garage. The homes also have flexible space that can be used an entertainment room, a home office, gym or art studio, a reading nook, craft space or ‘man cave.’  “The innovative floorplans emphasize indoor-outdoor living and provide private yards with upper-level decks to enhance the indoor-outdoor relationship,” according to Alan Scales, AIA, principal with KTGY.

“With Vitae, you will see we have made a departure from the typical box-on-box design seen most recently going up around Costa Mesa.  Instead, we have focused on mixing in both two- and three-story homes with attractive, pitched roofs and, most importantly, ground-floor main living where new homeowners can enjoy private, outdoor yards easily accessible right off their main kitchen and family rooms,” said Marini.

VITAE’s architecture maintains a modern flair with clean lines, simple forms and attention to detail. Standout design elements include warm, contemporary colors with stucco exteriors, traditional lapped siding and oversized windows to create sophisticated exteriors. “The homes are very striking and blend the contemporary with traditional architectural elements. Gable end roof lines are emphasized with a framework that brings attention to the geometry of the house,” said Scales. “The 20 homes maximize their square footage with open kitchen and living spaces and indoor-outdoor experiences.”

A leader in small lot home design, KTGY has designed approximately 150 small lot homes for Planet Home Living including 10 contemporary-styled small-lot homes in Los Angeles’ popular Silver Lake neighborhood, called COVO. “Seven out of the 10 homes at COVO were sold by the end of its grand opening on Saturday, April 22nd. A nearby collection of homes in Eagle Rock, also built by Planet Home Living and designed by KTGY, sold out in a matter of weeks,” reports Marini.

“Planet Home Living is a forward-thinking builder that understands the complexities of urban infill development and contextual design principles as well as the needs and lifestyles of today's buyers who want to own a single-family home but also live in an urban, amenity-rich walkable and established neighborhood,” added Scales.

VITAE is located at 531 Bernard Street in Costa Mesa (with a future address of 1940 Vitae Place, Costa Mesa, CA 92627). To sign up for VITAE’s interest list and receive updates or to set an appointment for a VIP tour, see www.planethomeliving.com/vitae.

About Planet Home Living

Founded in 2007, Planet Home Living is a full-service real estate building and development company that is dedicated to the creation of unparalleled living environments. From conception to exit, Planet Home Living remains focused on the complete development of a project, which includes strategic acquisition, distressed workouts, land entitlement, design, bidding, construction and sales. Planet Home Living's passion is for environmental architecture that will stand the test of time. www.planethomeliving.com

About KTGY Architecture + Planning
Celebrating 25 years, KTGY Architecture + Planning is an international award-winning full-service architecture and planning firm delivering innovation, artistry and attention to detail across multiple offices and studios, ensuring that clients and communities get the best the firm has to offer no matter the building type or location. KTGY’s architects and planners combine big picture opportunities, leading-edge sustainable practices and impeccable design standards to help create developments of enduring value. KTGY serves clients worldwide from offices located in Chicago, Denver, Irvine, Los Angeles, Oakland, Pune and Tysons. Visit www.ktgy.com

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Anne Monaghan
MONAGHAN COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
anne@MonaghanPR.com 
830.997.0963

Building Industry Association of Southern California, Inc. (BIASC) members, KTGY Architecture + Planning, Whirlpool Corporation, and KB Home, along with project partners, Builder Magazine, Cradle To Cradle Products Innovation Institute, Virginia Tech Center for Design Research School of Architecture + Design, SoCalGas, SunPower, and a range of additional partners and sponsors, have debuted their latest product of their 20-year relationship at The U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Greenbuild International Conference and Expo in Los Angeles Oct. 5-6.

The KB Home ProjeKt is a next-generation idea and learning program that aims to discover how to build better homes and neighborhoods for the future, showcasing concepts of modern housing in 2020 and 2050. While the latter date anticipates the future of sustainable living through futuristic concepts, the 2020 model contains some of the most innovative and sustainable appliances available today.

“Whirlpool Corporation is proud to be part of the effort to make high-performance, sustainable and efficiently operating homes,” said Bob Bergeth, general manager of Contract Builder Sales at Whirlpool Corporation in a press release. “Together with our partners, we are exploring how to create homes that are on the leading edge of sustainability, while also ensuring they remain affordable.”

Research and case studies were used in the collaborative effort to create an innovative environment with strong consumer appeal. The ProjeKt attempts to marry creative and sustainable design to help them innovate towards the future.

The ProjeKt is based on research and experience showing that innovation created in a collaborative environment is much more likely to produce new products with strong consumer appeal. In fact, a 2015 Nielsen Collaboration and Innovation Study examining consumer product development found that “ideas developed by teams of three or more people have 156% greater appeal with consumers” and develop much farther from the originating concept than products driven by teams of just one or two people.

“A critical aspect of the design and production of this home is creating a model that is sustainable and affordable,” said Manny Gonzalez, principal at KTGY, who was quoted in a Builder Magazine article. “Green living is often associated with privileged buyers with a higher income stream. We are working with manufacturers and KB Home to change the dynamic.”

The display at the 2016 Greenbuild Show and Expo included assemblies and systems, home tours for expo attendees, interactive educational features, and a digital wall display.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact:

Anne Monaghan       
Monaghan Communications
830.997.0963

IRVINE, Calif. – International award-winning firm KTGY Architecture + Planning is pleased to announce that KTGY’s design and planning were honored at the American Institute of Architects Orange County Chapter (AIAOC) 2017 Design Awards last night. The AIAOC Design Awards program recognizes innovative solutions to the complex problems of today’s architectural environment in Orange County or by Orange County architects. KTGY’s Park House received AIAOC Design Awards program’s INSPIRE award and Oakwood Olympic & Olive in Downtown Los Angeles received the highest award in the Residential Planned Development category, the Honor Award.

“It is exciting, and a great honor, to be recognized for excellence in innovation, design and planning by our peers in the AIA,” said KTGY Principal David Senden. “Park House, which was designed by our R+D Studio, is a viable housing solution that not only repurposes under-utilized parking garages for much-needed housing, but does so by using repurposed shipping containers that can simply be ‘plugged in’ to maximize efficiency and minimize the disruption to the existing context.”

The Park House design has two unit types, a one-bedroom unit comprised of three shipping containers, and a two-bedroom unit comprised of three containers with a prefabricated extension. For example, using a parking structure that once provided 1,091 parking stalls, Park House now proposes a 119-unit residential building with a density of 79.87 dwelling units per acre. “With some modifications to the existing structure, the original utilitarian structure transforms into a building that’s hardly recognizable as its past function,” noted Senden.

“KTGY’s R+D Studio will continue to develop new housing solutions for the future,” said Senden. “Park House is one possible solution for what will certainly be a paradigm shift in car culture in the United States.”
 
The other award winner, Oakwood Olympic & Olive, was designed for easy accessibility to the surrounding downtown Los Angeles, and to attract short- and long-term tech, media and entertainment business travelers in Los Angeles, among others, Senden noted. “We wanted to make the most of this compact urban infill site in Downtown Los Angeles’ South Park neighborhood and bring together the latest amenities, hotel-like services and design benefitting its location in Downtown LA’s desirable South Park neighborhood.” KTGY’s Irvine office designed Oakwood Olympic & Olive for Lennar Multifamily Communities.

Named for its location at the southwest corner of Olympic Boulevard and Olive Street, Oakwood Oakwood Olympic & Olive stands out for its modern design, bold color scheme and artfully placed decks that maximize views. The building’s iconic Olympic & Olive sign on the seventh-floor roof deck is reminiscent of the landmark roof-top signs like those at the Rosslyn Hotel. Before it opened as for-rent residential, Oakwood Olympic & Olive caught the eye of Oakwood Worldwide. The global leader in corporate housing was looking for a flagship location to launch an upscale extended-stay destination appealing to a new class of executives who demand an extremely high-quality environment for project work in Los Angeles. Oakwood Worldwide, under the parent company, Singapore-based Mapletree Investments, acquired the development earlier this year.

The AIAOC Design Awards were presented at the chapter’s signature event on the evening of September 14, 2017, at the Cultural Center of the Christ Cathedral Parish in Garden Grove, Calif., designed by world-renowned architect Richard Meier. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is an international organization with chapters worldwide. The AIAOC is the 3rd largest chapter of the AIA in California.

About the American Institute of Architects 
Founded in 1857, members of the American Institute of Architects consistently work to create more valuable, healthy, secure, and sustainable buildings, neighborhoods, and communities. Through nearly 300 state and local chapters, the AIA advocates for public policies that promote economic vitality and public well being. Members adhere to a code of ethics and conduct to ensure the highest professional standards. The AIA provides members with tools and resources to assist them in their careers and business as well as engaging civic and government leaders, and the public to find solutions to pressing issues facing our communities, institutions, nation, and the world. For more information visit http://aiaorangecounty.org.

About KTGY Architecture + Planning
Celebrating 25 years, KTGY Architecture + Planning is an international award-winning full-service architecture and planning firm delivering innovation, artistry and attention to detail across multiple offices and studios, ensuring that clients and communities get the best the firm has to offer no matter the building type or location. KTGY’s architects and planners combine big picture opportunities, leading-edge sustainable practices and impeccable design standards to help create developments of enduring value. KTGY serves clients worldwide from offices located in Chicago, Denver, Irvine, Los Angeles, Oakland, Pune and Tysons. Call 888.456.KTGY or visit www.ktgy.com, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Vimeo, YouTube