KTGY Group, Inc., Architecture + Planning, is pleased to announce that the firm was awarded top honors at the SoCal Awards. KTGY received Builder Partner of the Year and two Innovation Awards, one for its “IDEA Lab” and another for its ABC Green Home, which was designed by KTGY.Irvine, CA, USA (October 14, 2013) — KTGY Group, Inc., Architecture + Planning, is pleased to announce that the firm was awarded top honors at the SoCal Awards. KTGY received Builder Partner of the Year and two Innovation Awards, one for its “IDEA Lab” and another for its ABC Green Home, which was designed by KTGY. Presented by the Greater Sales & Marketing Council and Building Industry Association (BIA) of Southern California, the prestigious SoCal Awards pays homage to the industry’s best and brightest throughout the region, and encompasses all facets of professional achievement, sales, marketing, merchandising and design.
Founded in 1991 in Irvine, the award-winning KTGY Group, Inc., Architecture + Planning, is one of the nation’s leading full-service planning and architectural design firms. Known for its entrepreneurial spirit and unique company culture, KTGY devotes considerable time and money to qualitative and quantitative consumer research. KTGY challenges its design teams to use the R&D to develop new and innovative living solutions – all based on proven consumer trends and preferences in both for sale and for rent markets.
“We are thrilled and honored to receive this award as Builder Partner of the Year and to be recognized for our innovations,” said KTGY’s CEO Tricia Esser. “A spirit of genuine collaboration with our clients is at the heart of the KTGY process. Working hand-in-hand with our clients, it is our goal to lead the industry in innovative thinking and designs that are validated by research.”
“Never settling for ‘what is,’ KTGY lives on the forefront of designing what will be,” said Nick Lehnert, an executive director with KTGY, and head of the firm’s R&D Studio and IDEA Lab. KTGY’s IDEA Lab features new alternative solutions for traditional housing configurations that target consumers through the acknowledgement of emerging trends, consumer preference and knowledge of specific markets.
A recent R&D IDEA Lab concept was incorporating “IDEA Spaces.” At Big Sky in Audie Murphy Ranch in Menifee, Calif., developed by Brookfield Homes, KTGY introduced expandable rooms and IDEA Spaces. Big Sky features single-family homes situated on large lots and provide flexible idea spaces that expand the lifestyle afforded to the “living” areas of the home.
Lennar utilized KTGY’s R&D 50 ft. x 50 ft. lot design concept with the development of Edgewood at College Park in Chino, Calif. This lot configuration provides builders with an alternative solution to traditional auto court or green court environments and answers the demand for entry-level detached housing, perfect for starter families and young singles and offers more livable space and parks 3.5 cars per home.
Another popular R&D design element that was highlighted in the award was KTGY’s indoor/outdoor living spaces. Homes live around a privatized courtyard with more rooms exposed to the outdoor space. Sliding glass doors blur the line between indoor and outdoor living. Transition to outdoor space via covered patio gathering area is utilized.
KTGY was also recognized for making a difference in the community. “KTGY knows with great success comes great responsibility,” said Lehnert. “The employees, principals and families of KTGY believe that it is important to also use our creative talents to impact the lives of those in need.” KTGY has a long history of volunteerism and fundraising including CANstruction, Habitat For Humanity, Komen Race for the Cure, teaching and mentoring students interested in architecture and construction and speaking on panels and actively serving in industry councils and associations.
KTGY is dedicated to progress through the firm’s projects and has advanced transportation through design. KTGY designed the Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC) Master Plan and Mixed-use District Conceptual Development Guidelines. KTGY is also committed to cleaning up brown fields through planning and is responsible for the planning of La Floresta in Brea, a new 211-acre multi-generational, mixed-use community on site of former Unocal’s research and development center.
KTGY is also working with the City of Los Angeles and their small lot ordinance to impact redevelopment. KTGY currently has over 15 projects in design and under construction delivering affordable infill solutions for single-family developments in the Los Angeles area. KTGY is dedicated to sustainability and has designed award-winning LEED Platinum communities including Primera Terra in Playa Vista, Calif. and the ABC Green Home, a net-zero energy demonstration home in Irvine, the first of its kind to be built by a utility company (SCE), which will be donated to Habitat For Humanity for a wounded service veteran.
Designed as an Affordable, Buildable and Certifiable (ABC) Green Home, the ABC Green Home has been on display at the Orange County Great Park in Irvine since October 10, 2012. The net-zero energy-consumption model home provides a blueprint for builders on how to mass produce environmentally-friendly houses that generate as much energy as they consume. The home has had more than 25,000 visitors ranging from members of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), developers, contractors and home builders interested in the homes unique and affordable design. The ABC Green Home was built by BCA Developer along with North Orange County ROP, BITA Program and developed by Peninsula Publishing and Southern California Edison (SCE). Architect for this project was the KTGY Group, Inc. with interior design by Venture One Design, Inc.
“The affordable design of the ABC Green Home and the incorporation of universal design details literally puts this net-zero energy home within reach of anyone,” said KTGY’s Manny Gonzalez, AIA, LEED AP and principal, and the project’s lead designer. “There are very few affordable, entry-level, certified green homes being built by production homebuilders for sale today in America so the home serves as a template for future housing.”
The SOCAL 2013 Awards Show took place on October 5th at The Grove of Anaheim. See thesocalawards.com
About KTGY Group
Celebrating 22 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 and consumer trends, and financial performance. Serving clients worldwide, KTGY maintains offices in Irvine, Oakland and Santa Monica, Calif., Denver, Colo., and Tysons, Va. See http://www.KTGY.com.
Media Contact
Company Name: KTGY Group, Inc.
Contact Person: Anne Monaghan/Monaghan Communications
Email: anne@monaghanpr.com
Phone: 888-456-5849
City: Irvine
State: CA
Country: United States
Website: http://www.ktgy.com/
