KTGY Group Architecture + Planning Wins Project of the Year

IRVINE, Calif., Oct. 11, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Award-winning national firm KTGY Group, Inc., Architecture + Planning is pleased to announce that KTGY's wide range of capabilities, excellence and innovation in addressing complex design/build issues in multifamily, sustainable residential communities, mixed-use, transit-oriented developments, and senior housing has been recognized in several recent national awards programs including National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Multifamily Pillars of the Industry Awards, Multifamily Executive Awards, EcoHome Design Awards and ECO-STRUCTURE Evergreen Awards. The award-winning residential communities are: Primera Terra in Playa Vista, Calif.; Fusion in Sunnyvale, Calif.; Dana Strand Senior Apartments in Los Angeles, Calif.; and Via in Sunnyvale, Calif.

Primera Terra, a landmark LEED Platinum certified project in Playa Vista (Los Angeles County), one of the largest production home communities in California to be LEED Platinum certified, won four Grand Awards for its sustainability excellence and its stunning approach to high-performance housing. Built by KB Home, Primera Terra is an innovative redesign solution by KTGY comprising of 52 luxury for-sale condominium homes located in a walkable urban location and is 40% more energy efficient than the new home standards set by the state of California. The LEED Platinum Certification was accomplished without incorporating a solar power system or other renewable energy resource. The live/work/shop/play/green environment maximizes market appeal, drives condominium sales and minimizes its carbon footprint.

Primera Terra won:
• Best Garden/Small Scale Condo Community - Grand Award - Multifamily Pillars of the Industry Awards
• Best Example of Green Building Concepts - Grand Award - Multifamily Pillars of the Industry Awards
• Project of the Year, Green (for sale condos) - Grand Award - Multifamily Executive Awards
• Sustainability Excellence, Multifamily - Grand Award - EcoHome Design Awards
• Evergreen Award, Residential - Grand Award - ECO-STRUCTURE Magazine

Fusion is a vibrant, eco-friendly townhome community in Silicon Valley's thriving tech industry in Sunnyvale, Calif., built by O'Brien Homes. Targeting mixed-income buyers, Fusion seamlessly integrates 36 new contemporary buildings with 3 existing Spanish eclectic buildings, which were built by a former builder. There are 228 stylish townhomes (flat, carriage-style and traditional) with 7 different floor plans with 2-4 bedrooms, and attached spacious 2-car garages. A newly renovated community recreation center, "PULSE," includes a Wi-Fi lounge, coffee bar, flat screen TV, fireplace, catering kitchen, 12-seat theater (which can be reserved for private functions) and a premium fitness center. Outdoor amenities include a spacious fire pit area with tables and seating, a playground for toddlers, a meditation garden and a putting green.

Fusion won:
• Project of the Year, Mid-Rise - Grand Award - Multifamily Executive Awards
• Best Garden/Small Scale Condo Community - Grand Award Finalist - Multifamily Pillars of the Industry Awards

Dana Strand Senior Apartments, an exciting LEED Gold certified development in Los Angeles, embodies the best practices of new urbanism and smart growth transforming an underutilized urban infill site into a beautiful, amenity-rich residential community for seniors. Indistinguishable from market-rate housing, Dana Strand offers high quality, affordable housing that encourages a healthy, active living environment and reduces impact on our air, water and landfills. Its amenities include a computer center and community room along with a wide array of resident services, including computer classes, ESL classes, and resident events. Dana Strand is a development by ROEM Corporation and La Cienega LOMOD, Inc., in collaboration with the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA).

Dana Strand Senior Apartments won:
• Best Affordable Apartment Community - Grand Award - Multifamily Pillars of the Industry Awards
• Project of the Year, Senior - Grand Award Finalist - Multifamily Executive Awards

Via is an upscale, eco-friendly, transit-oriented, mixed-use apartment community in the heart of the Silicon Valley in Sunnyvale, Calif., developed by Essex Property Trust, Inc. Via seamlessly blends 284 luxury apartments with a 46,000-square-foot shopping center anchored by Fresh & Easy and includes a bank, restaurant, deli, and other neighborhood-serving retail. Via is located just off the 101 Bayshore and 237 Southbay freeways, steps from the VTA commuter rail station, and near the Mineta San Jose International Airport. The resort-style apartment community targets urban/suburban sophisticates who want environmentally-friendly, luxury living, onsite shopping, and close proximity to Silicon Valley employers and convenient access to light rail and the entire Bay Area.

Via won:
• Best Example of Green Building Concepts - Grand Award Finalist - Multifamily Pillars of the Industry Awards

The Multifamily Executive Grand Awards were announced on October 9, at the 2012 Multifamily Executive Conference at the Aria Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. Two KTGY principals and residential knowledge leaders, Rohit Anand, AIA, NCARB, and Manny Gonzalez, AIA, LEED AP, were speakers at the 2012 Multifamily Executive Conference. The 2012 Multifamily Executive Awards exemplify the best in project development and design, business practices and humanitarianism, and visionary leadership. See www.multifamilyexecutive.com.

The National Association of Home Builders' annual Multifamily Pillars of the Industry Awards program highlights creative development concepts, innovative financing strategies, great design, and superior management and marketing in the apartment and condo marketplace. Winners from all categories were recognized in a virtual awards ceremony last week. See www.nahb.org.

EcoHome's 2012 Design Awards honors the best sustainable homes for innovative design, green building features, environmental performance, and integration with their sites and communities. EcoHome is a leading source of information about certified green building products and projects and a magazine of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). See www.ecohomemagazine.com.

ECO-STRUCTURE magazine's 2012 Evergreen Awards honors outstanding environmental performance and quality of design and were announced last month and will be recognized at the Greenbuild International Conference and Expo in November 2012. ECO-STRUCTURE magazine covers green building industry news, market conditions, science and technology in sustainable design, building performance, new products, and sustainable projects. See www.eco-structure.com.

About KTGY Group

Celebrating 20 years, KTGY Group, Inc., Architecture and Planning, is a national award-winning firm providing comprehensive planning and award-winning architectural design services for residential communities, retail, hospitality, mixed-use and related specialty developments. KTGY delivers innovative solutions that reflect clear understanding of development, market trends and financial performance. Serving clients worldwide, KTGY maintains offices in Irvine, Oakland and Santa Monica, Calif., Denver, Colo., and Tysons Corner, Va. See www.ktgy.com.