KTGY-Designed Teacher Housing on College Campus Opens

Thompson Dorfman Partners Celebrates Opening of KTGY-Designed Teacher Housing on College Campus
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Sustainable Design and Construction Reuses Surplus Parking Lot to Create Affordable Workforce Housing at Cañada College in San Mateo County

OAKLAND, CALIF. – KTGY Group, Inc., Architectural and Planning, is pleased to announce today that a much anticipated housing development for professors and staff of the San Mateo County Community College District (Cañada College, College of San Mateo and Skyline College) is celebrating its grand opening. Developed by Mill Valley, Calif.-based Education Housing Partners, a non-profit affiliate of Thompson Dorfman Partners, LLC, and designed by KTGY, Cañada Vista in Redwood City will provide 60 high quality, affordable apartment homes for faculty and staff at below market rates, and will serve as an effective recruiting and retention tool for the San Mateo County Community College District (SMCCCD).

In an area dominated by prohibitively high housing costs, this is SMCCCD's second faculty and staff housing development; the first was College Vista built on the College of San Mateo campus in the City of San Mateo. College Vista was also California's first workforce housing project undertaken by a community college district and was so successful that the SMCCCD built Cañada Vista.

Located midway between San Francisco and San Jose, Cañada Vista offers one, two and three bedroom apartments with rents ranging from $975 to $1,600 a month, approximately 50 percent of the current market rate for similar quality apartments in the area. The apartment homes feature spacious deluxe kitchens with gas stoves and Energy Star appliances including refrigerators and upgraded cabinetry, nine-foot ceilings, large picture windows, a walk-in closet in the master bedroom, and all window coverings. Each residence also has hardwood flooring in the entryway, central air conditioning, individual washers/dryers, a linen closet, sliding glass doors, and a large, private patio or deck. Many units have a private attached garage. In addition, the units are wired for computer and internet access and have individual utility meters to encourage conservation.

“Despite the low rental rates for Cañada Vista residents, Cañada Vista offers many of the same well-appointed amenities and features of an upscale, market-rate apartment community,” said KTGY Group’s Principal Stan Braden, AIA, based in Irvine, Calif. “The 60-unit development offers spacious layouts of up to three bedrooms in two and three-story Craftsman-inspired buildings with panoramic views of coastal hills, Silicon Valley, and the San Francisco Bay."

There is also a Clubhouse situated between Cañada Vista’s two buildings. “The Clubhouse is a ‘great room’ complete with a fireplace and is flanked by a kitchen on one side and a game room with a large-screen television on the other. A large covered deck provides a panoramic view of the San Francisco Bay to the east,” Braden noted. Residents can use the Clubhouse facility for parties or dinners, and it can be used for district and faculty meetings.

“The goal with Cañada Vista and College Vista was to create quality, affordable rental housing for San Mateo County's community college faculty and staff in one of the most expensive residential markets in the state,” said Bruce Dorfman, a principal at Thompson Dorfman of Mill Valley, Calif. “By offering attractive workforce housing at affordable rents, SMCCCD is able to recruit and retain valuable college staff and faculty. Cañada Vista is also conveniently located within walking distance to campus classrooms and facilities, providing additional cost and time savings for the residents.”

“By providing housing for our employees, we have a competitive advantage over other colleges in the area who are competing with us to hire talented faculty and staff," said Barbara Christensen, director of community and government relations for the SMCCCD. "We can offer recruited employees first class housing at a bargain price plus a college teaching or support job. Several recruited faculty members who had multiple offers of employment choose to work for us because we offered a terrific housing option. We are just thrilled with the success of both developments and what it means to the district and the quality of education that we can offer our community."

Even before College Vista opened in December 2005, there was a long waiting list of employees who wanted to live there, reports Christensen. Priority for prospective Cañada Vista renters is given to full-time faculty and staff who have never owned a home. “Preference is given to those employees who earn 120 percent of the median income for the area or less,” said Christensen. “Qualified employees can rent for up to five years at Cañada Vista; the idea being that they can set aside money during this time to purchase a home.” The District also has a mortgage-assistance program offering low-cost second mortgages of up to $75,000 to help faculty and staff buy a home.

Dorfman added that despite budget constraints, he believes many school districts around the state and the country still have the capacity to follow SMCCCD's lead. "Cañada Vista is a prime example of a self-sustaining community -- environmentally, socially and also economically. Because of the financing structure and the fact that SMCCCD already owned the land, no district general funds were used for the improvements or operations, as the rents cover operating costs, reserves and debt service. Even with a softening residential market, home prices and rental rates are still well beyond what most starting teachers can afford in metropolitan areas in California, so this type of workforce housing is as vital as ever," said Dorfman.

“Long term, this type of housing supports education and the community, and validates the concept of quality infill development,” stated Dorfman. “Cañada Vista is a model for both successful public-private partnership and workforce housing that can easily be replicated by other school districts and public agencies in areas nationwide with a high cost of living. It also demonstrates how school districts, public agencies and private companies can use underutilized parking lots for housing and protect their open space." Cañada Vista was built on the site of a former 2.75-acre parking lot.

Thompson Dorfman, in conjunction with KTGY, developed a similar workforce housing development for the Santa Clara Unified School District (SCUSD), Casa del Maestro, at a former middle school site in April 2002. Due to overwhelming demand from its faculty and staff, SCUSD built a second phase to nearly double the number of units available.

Thompson Dorfman Partners is an award-winning developer best known for its luxury residential developments. The 10-year-old firm has developed more than $1.7 billion in projects throughout California. Last year, Thompson Dorfman completed 555 YVR, Downtown Walnut Creek’s first transit-oriented luxury residential community, developed with the young professionals in mind. 555 YVR is a stylish, amenity-rich, green development located within walking distance to BART and Downtown’s shopping and entertainment district. KTGY served as the project architect for 555 YVR.

About Thompson Dorfman Partners, LLC
Thompson Dorfman Partners, LLC is a real estate development and investment company. Formed in 1999 by Will Thompson and Bruce Dorfman, Thompson Dorfman focuses on multi-family residential development, with particular emphasis on well-sited, urban infill and mixed-use properties located in high growth, technology-driven markets in California. The principals of Thompson Dorfman have more than 25 years experience in the industry and Thompson Dorfman have collectively developed 10,000 multifamily homes in 40 California apartment and condominium communities. In 2004 they formed Education Housing Partners, a California non-profit public benefit corporation, in order to facilitate development of workforce housing for employees of school districts and public agencies. For more information, please visit www.thompsondorfman.com.

About San Mateo County Community College District
San Mateo County Community College District (SMCCCD) is a three college District located between San Francisco and the Silicon Valley. The colleges serve more than 42,000 students each year and offer the first two years of instruction in a wide variety of transfer programs as well as more than 90 vocational-technical programs. Students can earn either Associate in Arts or Science degrees or receive Certificates of Proficiency in their chosen fields. The community colleges are College of San Mateo in San Mateo, Skyline College in San Bruno and Cañada College in Redwood City. For more information about SMCCCD, visit www.smccd.edu.

About KTGY Group, Inc.
Established in 1991, KTGY Group, Inc., Architecture and Planning, provides 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, marketing and financial performance and takes particular pride in its highly motivated and principal led studios. Serving clients worldwide, KTGY maintains offices in Irvine, Oakland and Santa Monica, and in Denver. See www.ktgy.com.

UHC Begins Construction on 42-Unit Affordable Housing Community Designed by KTGY Group

Urban Housing Communities Begins Construction on City's First Affordable Apartments Targeting Families in Big Bear Lake

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KTGY-designed $17 Million Community Offers High Quality, Eco-Friendly Workforce Housing

SANTA ANA, CALIF. — Urban Housing Communities LLC (UHC) is pleased to announce construction of The Crossings at Big Bear Lake, a 42-unit affordable housing community developed in collaboration with the City of Big Bear Lake’s Improvement Agency, Bank of America, and architecture and planning firm KTGY Group, Inc. Upon completion next summer, this new $17 million community will offer healthy, supportive and eco-friendly apartment homes to local working families earning between 30 percent and 60 percent of San Bernardino County median income.

Designed by KTGY, The Crossings at Big Bear Lake will offer 28 two-bedroom two-story townhomes and 14 three-bedroom single-story flats averaging approximately 1,100 square feet. Each thoughtfully-planned apartment home will offer central heat, ceiling fans, a covered patio or balcony, energy-efficient kitchen appliances, washer/dryer hookups, high speed internet access and be wired for cable television. Rents are expected to range from $449 to $1,038 per month, based on family size and income level.

Located on 2.60 acres of land on Knickerbocker Road between Pennsylvania Avenue and Maryland Road south of Big Bear Blvd. (Highway 18), the community will feature a spacious 2,500-square-foot community room, a computer lab, a fully-equipped kitchen, a manager’s office, picnic and BBQ areas, a playground, laundry facilities and landscaped courtyard areas. The community room will serve as the location of a supportive services program provided by UHC’s non-profit partner, Central Valley Coalition for Affordable Housing (CVCAH). Designed to meet residents’ specific physical, educational, professional and social needs, CVCAH’s supportive services program will offer health clinics, after-school tutoring, budget planning, credit counseling, resume writing, computer training, fitness/nutrition classes, and targeted youth and senior activities.

The new affordable apartment community will be convenient to schools, public transportation, shopping, medical services, a public park and recreation areas, and is approximately a 10 minute walk from Big Bear Lake Village, the city’s premiere shopping and entertainment district.a

The Crossings at Big Bear Lake represents a milestone for the City, which is home to over 6,000 full-time residents. While the City does offer some affordable housing, its stock consists mainly of aging single-family homes and one affordable senior community. The Crossings at Big Bear Lake will be the City’s first affordable community targeted toward families.

“Most people know Big Bear Lake as a vacation destination, but it’s also a city that confronts the same issues of housing, healthcare and education as more urban areas,” said John Bigley, Chief Operating Officer of Urban Housing Communities. “A certain level of affordability is required to sustain the local workforce that supports the City’s year-round recreation activities that entice vacationers to the area, such as skiing and snowboarding during the winter and boating and biking in the summer. We believe the quality affordable housing offered by The Crossings at Big Bear Lake will help the City achieve its long-term goals by attracting and retaining both businesses and employees,” Bigley added.

"We are so pleased and proud to welcome UHC and Bank of America to the community as our partners in developing high-quality, family-oriented affordable housing for our work force," said Big Bear Lake's City Manager Jeff Mathieu. "We expect this new, fully-appointed apartment community to be an asset for the City of Big Bear Lake by providing our workforce with the opportunity to enjoy the Big Bear lifestyle in a safe, clean and modern environment without the threat of fast rising rents in the future that will surely price them out of the market as soon as the economy recovers."

Situated adjacent to a new neighborhood of single-family developments and across from Big Bear Elementary School, The Crossings at Big Bear Lake will improve vacant, untended property. “The new residential apartment community was planned and designed to fit in with the image of the Big Bear Mountain community,” said KTGY's Chris Texter, AIA, LEED AP and Principal. “Heavy timber wood details can be seen in the corbels supporting the large roof overhangs that are common in Big Bear. The apartment homes are part of a redevelopment infill and include heavy timber gable end framing, stone veneer and siding. Each building is planned in such a way to respect and add to the current street scene, residences, trees and other site opportunities and are oriented around a central garden, tot lot and community center amenities for the families,” Texter added.

“KTGY is committed to Urban Housing Communities’ mission to provide affordable housing within a community design that is contextual and well designed and meets the needs of its residents. We believe that The Crossings at Big Bear Lake achieves UHC’s vision with these beautiful new apartment homes and architecture that evokes a mountain community. We are confident that families will appreciate the high quality and the outstanding amenities that The Crossings at Big Bear Lake has to offer," noted Texter.

SL Residential, the general contractor for the project, began construction on July 15 and plans to recycle at least 75 percent of construction waste. Other eco-friendly design features include solar panels for generating electricity to the community room and common areas; gas condensing tankless water heaters; Energy Star rated lighting, windows and gas appliances; “Dark Sky” compliant exterior lighting; water-saving fixtures in the kitchens and bathrooms; high-efficiency dual-flush toilets; flooring, railings, furniture, BBQs, and trash and recycling receptacles made from recycled content; zero-VOC interior paints and low-VOC interior finishes and adhesives; building materials that contain recycled content and do not emit harmful chemicals; and bike racks. Early in the design process, UHC consulted an arborist in an effort to preserve some of the existing onsite trees.

UHC partnered with the City of Big Bear Lake’s Improvement Agency in 2009 to increase the City’s affordable housing stock in a manner consistent with the goals of the Redevelopment Plan. The Improvement Agency committed funding through a soft loan and UHC secured financing through the highly competitive 9 percent tax credit program. Additional financing for the project was provided by the Bank of America Community Development Corporation (BACDC), Bank of America, National Equity Fund (NEF) and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).

The Crossings at Big Bear Lake is UHC’s second project to begin construction in less than 30 days. UHC recently broke ground on The Crossings at Escondido, a KTGY-designed residential community that will feature 55 high quality, affordable apartment homes for working families in San Diego County. Families interested in living at The Crossings at Big Bear Lake, should contact AWI Management Corporation, Inc. at (530) 745-6249.

About Urban Housing Communities

Urban Housing Communities LLC is a "mission driven for-profit" affordable housing development partner of Morgan Stanley and Banc of America Community Development Corporation specializing in multifamily and senior housing facilities in California and Hawaii. UHC was formed in 2003 by executives of SunAmerica and ASL Housing, and has since been joined by professionals from KB Home, CalFed Bank and the California State University System. Together, they have financed or developed over 10,000 units of housing. For more information, visit www.uhcllc.net.

About KTGY Group, Inc.
Established in 1991, KTGY Group, Inc., Architecture and Planning, provides 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, marketing and financial performance and takes particular pride in its highly motivated and principal led studios. Serving clients worldwide, KTGY maintains offices in Irvine, Oakland and Santa Monica, and in Denver. See www.ktgy.com.

Northern California's First Home for Developmentally Disabled Seniors Designed by KTGY to Open

HomeAid Dedicates Northern California's First Home for Developmentally Disabled Seniors
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KTGY-designed Village at Walpert Center to include five six-bedroom homes upon completion

HAYWARD, CALIF. - HomeAid Northern California will dedicate Phase 1 of the Village at Walpert Center in Hayward on Friday, July 16th, at 12:00 noon. This is HomeAid's first home for developmentally disabled seniors, and ninth project. Upon completion in late summer 2010, the development will include five identical six-bedroom homes. Phase I, which is now ready for occupancy, consists of two 3,410-square-foot homes and is the culmination of four years of hard work by Builder Captains Pulte Group, Ponderosa Homes, Meritage Homes, and William Lyon Homes; with the assistance of Emerald Glen, The Walpert Center and many subcontractors, suppliers and consultants. Architecture and planning firm, KTGY Group, Inc., designed these homes with careful thought into the design that would not only be great quality but accommodate the special needs and abilities of the residents that would live there.

"We wanted the residents to feel comfortable, like the homes they might have grown up in," said KTGY's Jill Williams, AIA and Principal. "We incorporated a large living space for multiple activities, dining space for all the residents to congregate and a large kitchen with an island to allow multiple preparation areas and good flow.

"The parents of the future residents that we worked with during the design phase offered invaluable insight to what would be necessary as well as what they just wished for in a quality residence. Their struggle to find a place to call home for their adult children is what inspired the team to dedicate themselves to this effort. Individual bedrooms, shared baths, and universal design techniques were all integrated and carefully detailed," Williams added.

"Additionally, it was important that the home design was simple and could be repeated when you are working with volunteers and contributions. The City wanted the highest quality and best design that the team could create and that is what the residents will now have," stated Williams.

Roughly 50 percent of the cost of Village at Walpert Center Phase 1 came by way of donations. HEDCO Foundation donated $100,000 towards the foundations of the five homes.

“We have been very impressed by the enthusiasm, generosity and follow-through of the builder captains and their trade partners who adopted this project,” said Julie O’Connor, Executive Director of HomeAid Northern California. “They stayed the course through permit delays, weather issues, and the many challenges that come with coordinating dozens of separate companies to accomplish one goal.”

The Village at Walpert Center is the first project of its kind in Alameda County and the type of project HomeAid Northern California is proud to show as a model for future collaborations. "I think we were particularly interested because this project dealt with a segment of the population that is both overlooked and underserved, Developmentally Disabled Seniors—or better put, 'Adult Orphans,'" said Jeff Scofield, Area Director of Purchasing for Pulte Group of Pleasanton, California. “For the first time in history, the developmentally disabled are outliving their parents."

Co-builder Captain Ralph Walker of Ponderosa Homes stated, “Getting involved with HomeAid is so fulfilling. It really becomes more about personal fulfillment than what you might gain otherwise."

Walker added, "The trade partners who worked with us on the Village at Walpert Center have been the same ones who step up time and time again."
In the 10 years since its inception, HomeAid Northern California has built and furnished nine shelters, totalling 504 beds. In partnership with the organization’s Care Providers, HomeAid Northern California has had the resources to change more than 6,600 lives. Current projects under development in northern California are Mission Solano Bridge to Life Center in Fairfield, Shepherd’s Gate Life Center in Livermore and Downtown Street Team in San Jose.

To donate cash, time or materials, or for more information regarding HomeAid programs, shelters and services, contact Julie O'Connor of HomeAid Northern California at (925) 906-9139, joconnor@homeaidnc.org or visit www.homeaidnc.org.

About HomeAid Northern California
HomeAid Northern California is the 8th chapter of a national non-profit organization with the mission to build dignified housing where homeless families and individuals can rebuild their lives. Founded in 1999 by the Home Builders Association of Northern California, HomeAid acts as the housing developer and liaison between service providers, community volunteers, builders and specialty contractors. To date the organization has completed 10 housing developments that serve victims of domestic violence, pregnant homeless women, abused and abandoned children, homeless adults, homeless families and wounded veterans. www.homeaidnc.org.

About KTGY Group, Inc.
Established in 1991, KTGY Group, Inc., Architecture and Planning, provides 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, marketing and financial performance and takes particular pride in its highly motivated and principal led studios. Serving clients worldwide, KTGY maintains offices in Irvine, Oakland and Santa Monica, and in Denver. See www.ktgy.com.

KTGY Group Honored with Gold Nugget Award

KTGY Group Honored with Gold Nugget Award for Habitat for Humanity Home Designs
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Architect receives “Best of the West” 2010 Building Industry Community Spirit Award for design work for Yorba Linda Homes

SANTA ANA, CALIF. - KTGY Group, Inc., Irvine, Calif., was honored with a Gold Nugget award from the Pacific Coast Builders Conference (PCBC®) for design work on three new Craftsman-style Habitat for Humanity homes recently completed in Yorba Linda.

KTGY received the Building Industry Community Spirit Award's "Grand Award," which recognizes various philanthropic efforts made by the building community on behalf of the less fortunate.

“Congratulations to KTGY Group for winning a 2010 Gold Nugget for their design work on our three new homes in Yorba Linda,” said Mark Korando, senior vice president, Habitat for Humanity of Orange County. “With these home designs, KTGY has proven that simple, decent, affordable homes can also be an attractive addition to any neighborhood.”

"The sustainable design maximizes available square footage on a small infill site to create attractive, very livable, comfortable homes that are affordable for working families and in harmony with the surrounding market rate neighborhood,” said KTGY's Jill Williams, AIA and principal. “The project uses Habitat for Humanity's new 'Mixed-Income Model,' which includes homes for both very low-income and moderate-income families within the same development."

The award was presented to KTGY at the 47th Annual PCBC Conference on June 10, 2010, at the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco.

For more information, please contact Gladys Hernandez at 714-434-6200 ext. 229 or gladys@habitatoc.org.

About Habitat for Humanity of Orange County
Habitat for Humanity of Orange County, headquartered in Santa Ana, Calif., is dedicated to ending substandard housing and building strong communities in Orange County. Habitat uses non-government donations of funding, materials, professional services and volunteer labor to build simple, decent homes which are sold to qualified low-income families for a 1% down payment, closing costs, and a long-term mortgage. Mortgage payments are recycled to build more Habitat homes. Habitat families contribute 500 hours of “sweat equity” to the program by building their own home, helping another Habitat family build a home, or working in some other area of the Habitat organization. Habitat for Humanity families and volunteers have built 146 homes in Orange County since 1988, and are currently building 18 homes in San Juan Capistrano and five homes in Fullerton. For more information, please visit www.habitatoc.org.

Habitat for Humanity of Orange County is an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, an ecumenical Christian housing ministry that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat International has built more than 350,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 1.75 million people. Habitat for Humanity International is currently the 8th largest homebuilder in the United States, according to Builder OnLine magazine.

About the Yorba Linda homes
Habitat for Humanity of Orange County completed a three-home development on a vacant lot at the northwest corner of Park Ave and Yorba Linda Boulevard in the City of Yorba Linda. This development introduced Habitat OC’s new “mixed income model.” Using this model, homes were marketed to families with incomes within the following two levels:
• Two homes marketed to buyers earning up to 120% of the area median income ($100,900 for a family of four), and
• One home marketed to a local family earning 50% of the area median income ($46,500 for a family of four).

The size and design of the homes are consistent with the surrounding Yorba Linda community. Homes are two-stories with three bedrooms and either 1-1/2 or 2-1/2 baths. All include attached two-car garages, front porches and stone veneer accents to ensure these homes are attractive and appropriate for the City of Yorba Linda.

For more information about Habitat for Humanity of Orange County, please call (714) 434-6200 extension 229 or visit our Web site at www.habitatoc.org.

About KTGY Group, Inc.
Established in 1991, KTGY Group, Inc., Architecture and Planning, provides 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, marketing and financial performance and takes particular pride in its highly motivated and principal led studios. Serving clients worldwide, KTGY maintains offices in Irvine, Oakland and Santa Monica, and in Denver. See www.ktgy.com.

KTGY-Designed The Crossings at Escondido Breaks Ground

UHC Breaks Ground on The Crossings at Escondido, a 55-Unit High Quality Affordable Housing Community
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KTGY-designed new community features 55 safe, healthy, attractive and supportive apartment homes for working families in Escondido

ESCONDIDO, CALIF. - Urban Housing Communities LLC will gather next Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. with City of Escondido officials including the Mayor and City Council, architect KTGY Group, project partners and local residents for the ceremonial groundbreaking on the future site of The Crossings at Escondido. In 12 short months, working families living in the Mission Park area of Escondido will have a new place to call home.

“This will be a beautiful project for the community that will bring change to the Mission Park neighborhood in a positive way. This project will provide wonderful opportunities for people to live in healthy, well-managed housing with easy access to schools, transportation and services. It's a very exciting project!” said Mayor Lori Holt Pfeiler.

Designed by Irvine-based KTGY Group, the development of The Crossings at Escondido marks the transformation of a street plagued by deterioration, poverty, gangs, drugs, and overcrowding into a safe, family-friendly community. “The Crossings at Escondido represents more than just another development by UHC,” said John Bigley, Chief Operating Officer for UHC. “Today we see work beginning—buildings being demolished and dirt being turned—to make life better not just for the people who will one day live here, but for the entire community. This project is just one component of the City of Escondido’s overall plans for revitalization.”

The Crossings at Escondido will enhance neighborhood aesthetics, embrace eco-friendly design principles and offer a supportive resident services program while providing affordable family living. Formerly known as “Elder Place,” UHC successfully collaborated with the City to have the street renamed Mission Grove Place to reflect a fresh start for the neighborhood. The name Mission Grove Place was drawn from two nearby landmarks, Mission Middle School and Grove Park.

The Crossings at Escondido is the product of an effectively leveraged partnership between UHC and the City of Escondido Community Development Commission. The City committed funding by partnering with UHC to acquire the land. Subsequently, UHC secured financing through the highly competitive 9 percent tax credit program. Additional financing for the project was provided by Wells Fargo Bank N.A., the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, and the California Community Reinvestment Corporation.

About The Crossings at Escondido

The Crossings at Escondido will feature 38 two-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath townhomes, 15 three-bedroom, two-bath flats, and two four-bedroom two-bath flats. Apartment sizes average 1,200 square feet. Each unit will offer Energy Star appliances, central heat and air conditioning, a covered patio or balcony, washer/dryer hookups, high speed internet access and be wired for cable TV. Community amenities include a recreation room with a computer lab, media center and kitchen, picnic areas and two playgrounds.

The Crossings at Escondido was designed not only to complement the surrounding neighborhoods but also with a vision to create a higher standard for affordable housing. With a pedestrian friendly emphasis, each residence is provided with private, ground floor entries located among generous landscaped spaces. These "outdoor rooms" are provided in a variety of configurations from the more intimately scaled spaces intended for passive recreation to the centrally located playground and lawn for active recreation. Proposed to reflect the historic precedent in Escondido, the architecture is designed with a Craftsman style in mind. Details such as deep roof overhangs, porch columns, horizontal siding placement and accent shutters emphasize the simplicity of detailing. These three-story building facades are articulated with ridge/eave breaks as well as one- and two-story massing not only to provide a varied street scene but also to step the building down to a pedestrian scale.

Construction is scheduled to begin on June 21st, with at least 75 percent of the construction and demolition waste being recycled. The project exceeds California’s Title 24 energy efficiency standards by 15 percent. Eco-friendly design features include solar panels to generate electricity for the common areas and outdoor lighting; radiant barriers under the roof sheathing; water-saving fixtures in the kitchen and bathrooms; dual flush toilets; tankless water heaters; Energy Star rated lighting, appliances, windows and sliding glass doors; low-VOC paints, adhesives and finishes, and low dust stucco; building materials that contain recycled content, do not emit harmful chemicals and are manufactured in environmentally-friendly plants; products fabricated from engineered wood; and furniture, barbeques and trash receptacles made from recycled content. Competitive Edge Construction, Inc. is the general contractor.

The Crossings at Escondido effectively blends housing with onsite supportive services designed to help residents move toward a life of stability and opportunity while becoming self sustaining members of their community. UHC has selected non-profit social service provider, Western Community Housing, to provide health and wellness services, educational classes, job attainment assistance, life skills training, youth programs, and community-building activities.

The Crossings at Escondido will be home to 55 families earning 30 to 60 percent of the area median income for San Diego County. Rents range from $557 to $1,124 per month based on family size and income level. Interested applicants should contact Solari Enterprises, Inc. at (714) 282-2520.

About Urban Housing Communities

Urban Housing Communities LLC is a "mission driven for-profit" affordable housing development partner of Morgan Stanley and Banc of America Community Development Corporation specializing in multifamily and senior housing facilities in California and Hawaii. UHC was formed in 2003 by executives of SunAmerica and ASL Housing, and has since been joined by professionals from KB Home, CalFed Bank and the California State University System. Together, they have financed or developed over 10,000 units of housing. For more information, visit www.uhcllc.net.

About KTGY Group, Inc.

Established in 1991, KTGY Group, Inc., Architecture and Planning, provides 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, marketing and financial performance and takes particular pride in its highly motivated and principal led studios. Serving clients worldwide, KTGY maintains offices in Irvine, Oakland and Santa Monica, and in Denver. See www.ktgy.com.

UHC MEDIA CONTACT:
Merilee Langdon
(714) 835-3955 x120
mlangdon@uhcllc.net

KTGY Earns National Recognition with 7 Gold Nugget Merit Awards
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Diverse Range of Capabilities, Excellence & Innovation are Praised

IRVINE, CALIF. - KTGY Group, Inc., Architecture and Planning, has earned seven Awards of Merit in the 2010 Gold Nugget Award design and planning competition honoring the firm's wide range of capabilities, excellence and innovation in addressing complex design/build issues in attached, detached and sustainable communities as well as transit-oriented developments. KTGY's winning projects were selected from 440 entries from the 14 Western States and international countries. The KTGY-designed Solaris in South Jordan, Utah, earned several honors, including “Residential Detached Community of the Year,” for providing first-time homebuyers in Utah with the opportunity to afford a modern, contemporary-style, Solar- and Thermal-powered home. The Gold Nugget Grand Award winners will be selected from the Award of Merit honorees on June 10, 2010.

The Solaris Collection received an Award of Merit for "Residential Detached Community of the Year" and The Solaris Collection - Plan A earned an Award of Merit for “Best Single Family Detached Home on a Small Lot (3,200-4,500 sq. ft.)." The Solaris Townhomes also won recognition for the "Best On the Boards Multi-Family Project." Built by Garbett Homes, Solaris is located within Daybreak's South Station master-planned community, developed by Kennecott Land as Utah's first sustainable master-planned community. The Daybreak community offers miles of nature trails for biking, walking, jogging, or hiking, swimming pools, playgrounds and parks, walking distance to UTA Trax, community gardens, community sports facilities, pavilions, and a new charter school and convenient access to shopping nearby.

"The inspiration for Solaris was to respond to a well-educated, environmentally-sensitive market in Utah and offer the first Solar powered homes. To this end, it was important to allow the Solar panels to show from the street as part of its sustainable design and construction. We did our homework up front and found state and utility rebates that would surely make this program a homerun for the buyers," said KTGY's Principal John Tully.

According to Garbett Homes Marketing Director Rene Oehlerking, "The Solaris Collection offers the most affordable Solar-powered, single-family homes in Utah (from $206,900 after solar rebate). Garbett Homes is also the first production builder in Utah to offer bold, modern architecture."

Tully said, "Working closely with Garbett Homes, we wanted to create an attainable, contemporary, Solar-powered, Thermal-powered, single-family detached home marketed to the first-time buyer. We wanted it to be priced around $200,000 and have three bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms and a two-car garage. We were told it could not be done, but we did it! The modern design helped in achieving this feat – with clean lines and open-plan design we were able to simplify the home and therefore the construction costs."

Solaris has been well received by the marketplace. Oehlerking said that despite the current economic recession, Garbett Homes has sold at a better sales rate than any other previous neighborhood. The Solaris Collection consist of homes ranging in size from 1,442 square feet to 2,791 square feet on 4,500-square-foot lots. A total of 42 single-family dwellings are planned for the development. The Solaris Collection's Plan A homes range in size from 1,442 square feet to 2,112 square feet. The energy-efficient homes include modern contemporary design, vaulted ceilings in entry and living room, tiled front entry way and kitchen, recessed lighting, Energy Star GE stainless steel appliances, upgraded finish carpentry, ceiling fans, mini-chamfer sheetrock corners, large, dual-paned, low-E vinyl windows, central air conditioning with 13 Seer AC units, white membrane roof to reflect excess heat, exterior finish of stucco and Hardie-board, beautiful private porches connecting residents with the neighborhood, professionally landscaped and maintained community, security lighting, maintenance-free soffit and fascia, full rain gutters, outside waterproof electrical outlets, and double car attached garage with automatic opener.

The Gold Nugget Awards program recognized The Solaris Townhomes in the category of "Best On the Boards Multi-Family Project." There are 79 units planned. "Garbett Homes is the first and only builder in Utah to offer Solar and Thermal (PVT) as standard on townhomes," Oehlerking said. "The Solaris Townhomes are also the most affordable green, solar-powered home ever, with townhomes starting in the $170,000s."

The Solaris Townhomes range in size from 1,190 square feet to 1,416 square feet. "In a down market and competing with short sales and foreclosed homes, we needed to innovate and bring a truly remarkable product to the market and captivate the limited buyers," said Tully. "The design is modern, the standard features are outstanding (tankless water-heaters, solar panels, 100% Energy Star Rated, NAHB Green Home Certified, stainless steel appliances, and gas ranges). The floorplans are amazing and the price is remarkable. We were able to do this by cutting our construction time to 45 days per building, and self-financing the vertical construction. We cut out the bank and have our sub-contractors extend terms to 45 days. We believe that we have a winning new construction product to compete with discounted existing home sales."

Additionally, KTGY received a Gold Nugget Merit Award in the category of "Best Multi-Family Housing Project – 4 to 6 Stories For Sale" for 555 YVR, Downtown Walnut Creek’s first live-work-shop-play residences. Developed by Thompson Dorfman Partners, with KTGY as the project architect, in conjunction with Kwan Henmi as the concept design architect, 555YVR is a modern, environmentally-friendly, transit-oriented development featuring 87 spacious one-bedroom, one-bedroom plus den and two-bedroom homes, as well as townhomes and live-work units, all featuring luxury finishes, stainless steel appliances and expansive floor-to-ceiling windows. Located in the commercial business district on the site of former office buildings and surface parking lot, adjacent to the Walnut Creek BART Station, 555 YVR is steps to world-class shopping, restaurants, civic, cultural, entertainment destinations, employment centers, transit links. 555 YVR offers residents a Sky Lounge rooftop terrace, which features an outdoor kitchen, fireplace, WiFi access and spectacular 360-degree views of the San Ramon valley and Mt. Diablo. Residents also enjoy a state-of-the-art media room, a private fitness center, a lushly landscaped courtyard with a water feature and bench seating, an on-site protected dog run and WiFi connectivity in common areas, which is ideal for tech-savvy professionals. The builder was Palisades Builders.

"555 YVR's live-work-shop-play environment minimizes commuting and lessens pollution as it includes close proximity to public transit lines, neighborhood parks and shopping centers, business and medical services, churches and schools," said Stan Braden, AIA, NCARB, chairman and principal of KTGY. “Furthermore, 555YVR’s sustainable design and lower energy bills and pedestrian-friendly location increases affordability for residents, which is more important than ever in today’s challenging economic climate.”

KTGY received two additional Awards of Merit in the category of "Best On the Boards" for its design and planning of Aldea at Porter Ranch in Los Angeles, Calif.; and Tasman Station in Sunnyvale, Calif. Aldea at Porter Ranch won an Award of Merit in the category of "Best On the Boards Site Plan." The developer of Aldea at Porter Ranch is Porter Ranch Development Company, a joint venture between Shapell Homes and Liberty Building Company. The 60-acre mixed-use village, located in the heart of the Porter Ranch master-planned community, represents a bold direction in defining a horizontal mixed-use urban village supporting a contemporary lifestyle, says KTGY's Ken Ryan, principal and head of KTGY’s community planning and urban design studio.

"Envisioned as a departure from the San Fernando Valley’s auto-centric pattern of insular single-use enclaves, the seamlessly integrated living, shopping and entertainment village was crafted to promote a pedestrian-friendly, engaging and exciting living environment," Ryan said. "The major feature of the village’s framework is its two primary organizing elements: a central east-west linkage system and a north-south transitional zone, with a central civic core placed at the intersection of the armatures. A network of private drives and alleys geometrically reinforce these organizing elements, connecting in an efficient and understandable grid design."

According to Ryan, the project’s visual icon is its east-west “promenade street” – a walking street reminiscent of the great urban neighborhoods of Brooklyn and San Francisco – featuring front-facing architecture with a direct connection to the 20-acre lifestyle retail/restaurant district at one end and a community recreation center anchoring the opposite end.

Tasman Station received an Award of Merit for "Best On the Boards Multi-Family Project." Tasman Station is an upscale, transit-oriented mixed-use retail and residential community in Sunnyvale, located adjacent to a VTA light rail line and platform. Developed by Essex Property Trust and targeting environmentally-sensitive Silicon Valley professionals, the sustainable design consists of three principal, five-story buildings, with four levels of residential over a podium; 15 percent of the units are affordable. All units feature well-proportioned decks for indoor/outdoor enjoyment. With completion slated for March 2011, the $138.9 million project includes 284 dwelling units and a freestanding Fresh & Easy market on the corner.

"Tasman Station's generous plan sizes average over 900 square feet," Braden said. "Arches, trellises, balconies and rooflines animate contemporary interpretation of Spanish Mediterranean vernacular. The podium level will feature a pool, spa, clubhouse, business center/cyber café, fire pits, shuffleboard court and plazas, courtyards, water features and gardens. Green Points, light rail stop located across the street and walkable neighborhood highlight eco-friendly concepts. Easy access to two major freeways provide added benefits.”

KTGY also received a judges special award, the "Building Industry Community Spirit Award" for its planning and design of three Habitat for Humanity homes in Yorba Linda, Calif. Located at 4965 Park Avenue in Yorba Linda, Calif. According to KTGY's Jill Williams, AIA and principal, "The sustainable design maximizes available square footage on a small infill site to create attractive, very livable, comfortable homes that are affordable for working families and in harmony with surrounding market rate neighborhood. The project uses Habitat for Humanity's new 'Mixed-Income Model,' which includes homes for both very low-income and moderate-income families within the same development."

Simplicity in framing facilitated construction by a volunteer workforce and the three-home development was completed in 7.5 months from framing to dedication. KTGY donated its architectural services as well as assisted in the construction of these craftsman-style homes in Yorba Linda on "Build Day." "The two-story, three-bedroom Craftsman-style homes carry on the beautiful, historic precedent of this great neighborhood with sitting porches, stone veneer accents, attached two-car garages turned to the rear and accessed from a private drive; and a material palette that is reminiscent of the era with shingles and clapboard siding," Williams added. “Lush landscaping, trees, meandering walkways to create warm and welcoming pedestrian guest entry.”

KTGY has been committed to working with Habitat for Humanity throughout northern and southern California for many years. Recently, KTGY was called upon to develop the next series of homes for Habitat for Humanity in northern California, which will be going after LEED Platinum status. Last year, KTGY designed and assisted with the building of Habitat for Humanity of Orange County's four homes in Anaheim on East Julianna Street.

The Gold Nugget Awards honor creative achievements in architectural design and land use planning for residential, commercial and industrial projects. Drawing more than 440 entries from the western states and internationally, an increase of nearly 18 percent over last year's number of entries, the Gold Nugget Awards program is the premier event of the annual PCBC, the nation's largest regional trade show and conference. Grand Award winners will be announced at the Gold Nugget Awards Luncheon on Thursday, June 10, 2010, at the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco. See www.goldnuggetawards.com.

About KTGY Group, Inc.
Established in 1991, KTGY Group, Inc., Architecture and Planning, provides 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, marketing and financial performance and takes particular pride in its highly motivated and principal led studios. Serving clients worldwide, KTGY maintains offices in Irvine, Oakland and Santa Monica, and in Denver. See www.ktgy.com.

KTGY-Designed Affordable Apartments Adjacent to Colma BART Station to Celebrate Grand Opening
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BRIDGE Housing Corporation Completes Trestle Glen for Families Who Earn 20% to 50% of San Mateo County Median Income

OAKLAND, CALIF. – KTGY Group, Inc., Architecture and Planning, announces the grand opening celebration of Trestle Glen, a transit-oriented, eco- and pedestrian-friendly apartment community located in an unincorporated area of San Mateo County, adjacent to the Colma BART Station. Developed by BRIDGE Housing Corporation, the leading nonprofit developer of affordable homes in California, Trestle Glen provides high-quality workforce housing to families earning between 20 percent and 50 percent of the area median income. The KTGY-designed Trestle Glen offers 119 thoughtfully-planned dwellings ranging in size from one- to three-bedroom units; 28 one-, 44 two-, and 47 three-bedroom apartment homes. Rent is currently $403 to $1,400 per month, based on family and apartment size and income level.

With a GreenPoint Rated score of 128, where 50 points is a minimum requirement, the new $44.5 million, five-story development located at 370 F Street, incorporates Spanish Mediterranean architectural elements and offers a number of “green” features such as solar panels to preheat domestic hot water, bio-swales that naturally filter rainwater and a community recycling program. During construction more than 80 percent of waste generated was recycled and diverted from landfills.

Trestle Glen features a community center with a kitchen, a 56-space childcare facility with outdoor play space, landscaped courtyard areas, basketball court, tot lot and convenient laundry facilities. The apartment community’s onsite resident services are expected to include programs such as childcare, English as a Second Language classes, homebuyer workshops, credit counseling and financial management classes, computer skills, and after-school programs and homework clubs.

“Trestle Glen provides a positive example to the community of quality, affordable housing and is a stepping stone for family advancement,” said BRIDGE Housing President and CEO Cynthia Parker. “Affordable homes integrated with services give residents more opportunities to increase their education, build skills for better jobs, and plan for homeownership. Children can have more stability in their lives and do better in school.”

Trestle Glen’s location encourages walkability and the use of the adjacent BART transit, and transforms El Camino Real into a vibrant, safe, and welcoming place to live, work, and play. The apartment community’s sustainable design and construction reduce its carbon footprint and add to the affordability by reducing automobile-associated expenses and utility costs.

“In addition to below market rents, Trestle Glen’s close proximity to public transportation, jobs, services and education further increase affordability for residents who have few affordable housing options, especially for larger families,” said Jill D. Williams, AIA and principal at KTGY.

The average household in San Mateo County spends $32,693 annually on housing. “Trestle Glen addresses the severe affordable housing need especially for working families in San Mateo County with annual incomes ranging from $16,491 to $56,550 for a household of four,” said Parker.

Trestle Glen is situated on the site of a former mobile home park at 370 F Street, which previously housed 42 individuals and families, and now serves 119 families plus the addition of 32 future entry-level for-sale townhomes by another developer.

“KTGY has enjoyed creating livable communities for working families with BRIDGE Housing since our first collaboration in 1998,” said Williams. “Trestle Glen offered an opportunity for a higher density solution for an underutilized infill site. This 2.7-acre triangular-shaped parcel, adjacent to BART, took the collaboration of the design team working closely with BRIDGE Housing, the Town of Colma and San Mateo County to fulfill the ultimate best use.”

Trestle Glen’s attractive design and cohesive layout encourage a sense of community among residents. “The placement of shared spaces such as the community center, lobby and courtyard elevate the importance of onsite resident services and social interaction and increase resident satisfaction,” Williams noted. “The on grade parking is tucked out of sight under four stories of high quality residential living.”

Trestle Glen’s common area walls are decorated with art from Creativity Explored, a nonprofit visual arts center where artists with developmental disabilities create, exhibit, and sell art, inspire residents and support community.

"As a member of Build-It Green as well as the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), KTGY continues to stay at the forefront of this dynamic industry and have LEED accredited and sustainability/green building experts," said Williams. “We work in partnership with our clients to get the most benefit from incorporating eco-friendly and sustainable architecture programs into our designs and buildings.”

Trestle Glen’s additional green features include:
• Play structures and surfaces are made of more than 20% recycled materials.
• The building features side-by-side trash and recycling chutes, plus a built-in recycling bin in each home.
• The insulation in the roof and walls of Trestle Glen contains no added formaldehyde.
• Trestle Glen's bathroom fans and kitchen fans exhaust to the exterior.
• All interior paints are low-VOC.
• All cabinetry has reduced formaldehyde content.
• The carpets in the homes and common areas are certified CRI Green Label Plus.
• Solar hot water panels located on the roof pre-heat the domestic hot water.
• A high efficiency gas-powered boiler heats the domestic hot water.
• All appliances have met the Energy Star criteria for energy efficiency.
• Almost all of the plant species are California native or Mediterranean species that require only occasional watering.
• Trestle Glen uses a landscape irrigation controller that receives weather data via a satellite connection and a high-efficiency drip irrigation system.
• Nearly all rain is captured and treated onsite. Rain that falls on the roof drains to large bio-swales, which naturally filter and percolate rainwater into the stormwater system.
• Showerheads are low flow and sinks have flow limiters.
• Toilets have half and full flush buttons to better economize water usage.
• The building is located adjacent to the Colma BART Station and a number of SamTrans bus lines.
• Secure bicycle parking is available within the garage.

About Build It Green
GreenPoint Rated is a program of Build It Green, a professional non-profit membership organization whose mission is to promote healthy, energy- and resource-efficient buildings in California. A GreenPoint Rated home is graded on five categories: energy efficiency, indoor air quality, resource conservation and water conservation. Green building offers homebuilders, community leaders and California residents sensible solutions that improve an individual home’s performance and provide broad-based community benefits. These benefits range from cleaner air to reduced traffic congestion, from more appealing recreational opportunities to greater economic vitality. Developments designed to reduce dependence on cars help ease traffic congestion, which can improve business productivity. For more information, visit www.builditgreen.org.

About BRIDGE Housing
BRIDGE Housing Corporation, the leading nonprofit developer of affordable homes in California, creates and manages a range of high-quality, affordable homes for working families and seniors. Since it was founded in 1983, BRIDGE has participated in the development of over 13,000 homes serving more than 35,000 Californians. For more information, visit www.bridgehousing.com.

About KTGY Group
Established in 1991, KTGY Group, Inc., Architecture and Planning, provides 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, marketing and financial performance and takes particular pride in its highly motivated and principal led studios. Serving clients worldwide, KTGY maintains offices in Irvine, Oakland and Santa Monica, and in Denver. See www.ktgy.com.

KTGY-Designed Quality Workforce Housing in Irvine Celebrates Grand Opening
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Jamboree Housing Corporation Completes The Arbor at Woodbury for 90 Families Who Earn 30% to 60% of O.C. Median Income

IRVINE, CALIF. - Designed by KTGY Group Inc., Architecture and Planning, The Arbor at Woodbury Apartment Homes in Irvine, Calif. celebrated its Grand Opening. Developed by Jamboree Housing Corporation, a leading California nonprofit housing developer, The Arbor at Woodbury provides high-quality workforce housing to families earning between 30% and 60% of the area median income. The Arbor at Woodbury offers 90 thoughtfully-planned dwellings ranging in size from one- to three-bedroom units. Rent is currently $523 to $1,450 per month based on family size and income level.

Located at 300 Regal Avenue in Irvine, The Arbor at Woodbury features 18 one-bedroom, 43 two-bedroom and 29 three-bedroom garden-style apartments. Each of the property’s six buildings is designed around a central courtyard to encourage interaction among residents. All homes include central heating and air, Internet and cable access, granite counter tops, master bedroom walk-in closets, fluorescent lighting throughout, low-flow showers, dual-flush toilets and outdoor balconies or decks. One-car garages for each family and additional on grade parking provide plenty of adequate parking for residents. In addition, homes are equipped with energy-efficient lighting and appliances, including ENERGY STAR refrigerators and dishwashers.

Families living here have access to the property’s Community Center that includes management offices, a kitchen, computer-learning center, and tutoring/arts & crafts room. Community amenities include a laundry center with ENERGY STAR washers and dryers, a tot lot, salt-water pool and barbecues.

The Arbor at Woodbury is an integral part of the Woodbury Master Plan in eastern Irvine, a square-mile development that, when complete, will include residential units that consist of single-family detached homes, town homes, condominiums, and rental apartments. Woodbury is designed as unique districts of residential homes, with 16 neighborhood squares, gardens, and a park situated around a 30-acre central gathering place called “The Commons,” which offers athletic fields, a playground, recreation center, and swimming pools for neighborhood use.

According to KTGY’s David Obitz, principal and designer, “The Arbor at Woodbury is fantastic opportunity to integrate affordable housing into a world-class master-planned community and one of Irvine’s newest villages. The Arbor looks feels and lives just like the rest of Woodbury.”

Using the same high quality finishes and materials as surrounding market-rate properties, the Mediterranean-style design integrates seamlessly into the aesthetic fabric of the neighborhood.

“Architectural integration is always a top priority for all of our workforce housing projects,” Obitz adds.

As a transit-oriented development, community amenities such as neighborhood parks and shopping centers, medical services, churches, schools and colleges are within walking distance. Furthermore, in its ongoing commitment to respect environmental resources and to pursue sustainability, Jamboree provides complimentary van service to residents during commuter hours from The Arbor at Woodbury to the Irvine Transportation Center.

The Arbor at Woodbury is .5 miles from the local elementary school and is three miles or less from the local middle and high schools. The Irvine Unified School District (IUSD) consistently ranks among the finest educational systems in the nation. Irvine students consistently lead Orange County in SAT scores, and more than 90% of its high school graduates attend college.

“Sustainable design and close proximity to jobs, services and education further increase affordability for residents who have few affordable housing options, especially for larger families,” says Obitz. A family of four earning $46,500 (50% of area median income) will pay about $1,140/month in rent for their three-bedroom home at The Arbor at Woodbury.

In addition to The Arbor at Woodbury, KTGY has designed other Jamboree apartment communities including Diamond Apartment Homes in Anaheim, a pioneering green multifamily development that provides both housing and mental health supportive services for previously homeless individuals and their families in Orange County. Diamond Apartment Homes, which opened in April 2009, received a Gold Nugget Merit Award for "Outstanding Affordable Project - Under 30 du/acre."

KTGY has also designed other Jamboree apartment communities including Granite Court Apartment Homes in Irvine, which opened in July 2009 and was honored with a Gold Nugget Merit Award for "Outstanding Affordable Project - 30 du/acre or More." Granite Court is designed for green, smart growth and features a modern, compact, 71-unit residential complex with four stories of comfortable residential living atop two levels of underground parking.

KTGY also designed Jamboree Housing’s Monarch Pointe Apartment Homes in Anaheim, which opened in August 2008, and Ceres Court Apartment Homes in Fontana, which opened in September 2008. Granite Court, Monarch Pointe and Ceres Court provide housing to families earning between 30 percent and 60 percent of the area median income. Diamond is home to 25 families who earn no more than $30,120 (30% of the area median income).

KTGY continues its stride in producing award-winning workforce housing developments that integrate the latest urban design trends and green building technologies with the needs of the end user. Among its other multi-family product types, KTGY is well recognized for its designs in affordable, senior and campus housing as well as retail, hospitality, mixed-use and related specialty developments.

About Jamboree Housing Corporation
Founded in 1990, Jamboree Housing Corporation is an award-winning, broad-based nonprofit housing development company that develops, acquires, renovates and manages permanently affordable rental and ownership housing for working families and seniors throughout California. Housing with HEART (Helping Educate, Activate and Respond Together) is a 501 (c)(3) organization and a division of Jamboree Housing Corporation. A year-long commemoration of Jamboree’s 20th elevates the ripple effect of providing high quality affordable housing that generates more jobs, creates supportive housing for seniors and those with special needs, promotes healthy living and builds stronger communities. A leading nonprofit developer, Jamboree’s portfolio includes the development of and/or ownership interest in more than 6,500 affordable homes in more than 55 California communities. Currently, Housing with HEART programs and services are offered at 31 Jamboree communities with designated staff at each location. More information is available at www.jamboreehousing.com.

About KTGY Group, Inc.
Established in 1991, KTGY Group, Inc., Architecture and Planning, provides 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, marketing and financial performance and takes particular pride in its highly motivated and principal led studios. Serving clients worldwide, KTGY maintains offices in Irvine, Oakland and Santa Monica, and in Denver. See www.ktgy.com.

BIA/SO CA 50+ Housing Council Names KTGY's Manny Gonzalez, AIA, LEED AP, SAGE "Person of the Year"

IRVINE, CALIF. - Award-winning KTGY Group, Inc., Architecture and Planning, is pleased to announce that Manuel G. Gonzalez, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP, CAASH and Principal of KTGY Group has been named 2009 SAGE "Person of the Year" by the 50+ Housing Council of the Building Industry Association of Southern California. This prestigious award honors an individual for their commitment, personal compassion and professional contributions to housing and related services to residents 50+.

In his more than 25 years of practice in residential development, Gonzalez has been responsible for the design, construction and renovation of nearly 6,000 active adult housing units including the design of more than 50 active adult communities. More than 30 of those communities are scattered from the desert to the sea throughout all of Southern California. Gonzalez's dedication to excellence and sustainable design solutions have set new industry standards and have earned him more than 70 national, regional and local design awards including 25 for work in the 50+ Housing market alone. This year, Gonzalez won his fifth NAHB 50+ Housing Gold Award, which was for the Echo Park Senior Community. Echo Park is currently a 2009 SAGE Award finalist.

Gonzalez is the senior partner in KTGY's Santa Monica office and president of KTGY Group, Colorado. He is a licensed architect in the states of California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Texas, Colorado, New Mexico and Indiana; and has been featured in Who's Who in 50+ Home Building and in 50+ Builder's Architect of the Year.

Andy Bowden, the 2009 president of the 50+ Housing Council Board and principal at Land Concern in Santa Ana, Calif., notes, "Long regarded as an expert on 50+ housing, Manny Gonzalez has helped lead the way in residential design for our aging population. A past president of the 50+ Housing Council BIA/SC, he has helped develop new ideas, concepts and strategies targeting the specific needs of seniors. Manny's commitment to the 50+ industry as a whole as well as his proven leadership and guidance working with the 50+ Housing Council has demonstrated that he is a true leader and innovator in the field of 50+ housing."

Bowden continues, "Manny is always incorporating new and innovative design into each of his projects, pushing the envelope and creating successful communities while providing exciting design solutions. His knowledge, his commitment and, above all, his passion to this industry is a testament to his vast abilities. We are very proud to name him the 2009 SAGE Person of the Year."

A renowned international speaker, author and media expert on the 50+ Housing industry, Gonzalez will be speaking at several upcoming industry events including the Multifamily Executive Conference on October 12 in Las Vegas, NV; Big Builder magazine's pioneering virtual program on November 9; and two sessions at the International Builders' Show in Las Vegas on January 20 and 21.

Gonzalez has served as Chair of the AIA Housing Committee and a Board of Directors Member for the BIA. He actively holds a leadership role on numerous national committees for the NAHB Multifamily Leadership Board, The 50+ Symposium and University of Housing, and has served two terms as President of the Seniors Housing Council for Southern California.

In 2008, NAHB 50+ Housing Council honored him for his accomplishments in the 50+ housing industry and awarded him with the Certified Active Adult Specialist in Housing (CAASH) designation. He is currently on the Editorial Advisory Board of 50+ Builder and BUILDERNews magazines; and has written and contributed to scores of articles on residential design.

An 8th generation native of Los Angeles, Gonzalez is also dedicated to community service and youth sports. Following half a dozen years on the Malibu Little League Board, Gonzalez has now taken to the pool and serves as President of the Los Angeles Water Polo Club and Vice-chair of the Coastal Zone for USA Water Polo.

Gonzalez and other award winners will be presented with their awards at the 15th annual SAGE ceremony on Wednesday, November 12, 2009 at The Turnip Rose, Grand Newport Plaza, 1901 Newport Boulevard, Costa Mesa, Calif. The event begins at 6:00 p.m. For more information about attending this event, visit www.50PlusHC.com. To register, call (909) 396-9993 or email pnearhoff@biasc.org.

About 50+ Housing Council
50+ Housing Council provides networking, education and partnering prospects for Southern California professionals involved in every aspect of building housing specifically for persons aged 50+ − active adult, "age-targeted," senior condos, 55+ apartments, CCRC's, Assisted Living, Alzheimer's care and more. For more information, visit www.50PlusHC.com.

About BIA/SC
The Building Industry Association of Southern California, Inc. (BIA/SC) is a nonprofit trade association representing more than 1,800 member companies employing over 200,000 persons who are engaged in all aspects of building homes and communities throughout Southern California. For more information, visit www.biasc.org.

About KTGY Group, Inc.
Established in 1991, KTGY Group, Inc., Architecture and Planning, provides 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, marketing and financial performance and takes particular pride in its highly motivated and principal led studios. Serving clients worldwide, KTGY maintains offices in Irvine, Oakland, Santa Monica, and in Denver. See www.ktgy.com.

KTGY Principal Damian Taitano Invited to Speak at Building Industry Show 2009 at Long Beach Convention Center

IRVINE, CALIF. - Award-winning KTGY Group, Inc., Architecture and Planning, is pleased to announce that KTGY Principal Damian Taitano, Architect, has been invited to speak at the 21st Annual Building Industry Association of Southern California’s Building Industry Show (BIS) 2009 on November 19 & 20, 2009 at the Long Beach Convention Center. This is Taitano’s third consecutive year speaking at the BIS. BIS is the official tradeshow of the Building Industry Association of Southern California and has been the number one trade show for the region’s building industry professionals.

In past years, Taitano has covered topics from cost implications of new building codes to practical applications of sustainability. This year he returns with the timely discussion, “Lessons from Past Tough Times Applied to Current Conditions” on Thursday, November 19, from 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm in Room 103B. Taitano will provide an analysis of residential and mixed-use projects to demonstrate the successes and failures in planning, product and market program. Attendees will learn how to develop solid “rule of thumb” guidelines for future development.

Taitano is dedicated to client service and has a talent for multi-family residential design. Responsible for conceptual planning through construction details on projects throughout California, his experience includes attached for sale and for rent properties, mixed-use development with a special focus on infill projects ranging from 10 to 60 units per acre. Taitano is currently working with many builders, developers and civic agencies to reposition entitled but financially unattainable projects to enable practical density and construction techniques for future success.

KTGY continues to produce award-winning multi-family and mixed-use developments that integrate the latest urban design trends and green building technologies with the needs of the end user. Among its other multi-family product types, KTGY is well recognized for its designs in affordable, senior and campus housing as well as retail, hospitality, mixed-use and related specialty developments.

About Building Industry Trade Show
BIS is a Building Industry Trade Show specifically for Building Industry Professionals of the Southern California region. It is the Official Tradeshow of the Building Industry Association of Southern California. BIS Targets serious decision makers throughout Southern California, Arizona and Nevada reaching 6 local BIA/SC Chapters and 12 different councils. BIS provides over 400 exhibitors the opportunity to deal direct with builders, subcontractors, purchasing agents and suppliers. For more information about the event, visit www.buildingindustryshow.com.

About KTGY Group, Inc.
Established in 1991, KTGY Group, Inc., Architecture and Planning, provides 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, marketing and financial performance and takes particular pride in its highly motivated and principal led studios. Serving clients worldwide, KTGY maintains offices in Irvine, Oakland, Santa Monica, and in Denver. See www.ktgy.com.