IRVINE, CALIF. - Award-winning KTGY Group, Inc., Architecture and Planning, has earned 12 high honors (2 Grands and 10 Merits) in the prestigious 2009 Gold Nugget 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 the critical planning of transit-oriented districts. The firm's winning projects are located throughout Northern and Southern California and were selected from more than 375 entries from 14 western states and internationally. The Grand Award winners were announced during the PCBC in San Francisco at the Gold Nugget Awards gala on June 18, 2009. PCBC is the nation's largest regional trade show and conference.
The Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC) was awarded the Grand Award for "Outstanding On-The-Boards Site Plan." Located in Anaheim, ARTIC is envisioned to be a world-class transportation center that will serve as a major transit gateway and TOD location for Southern California. Designed as a transportation destination for the future, ARTIC will accommodate the California High Speed Rail, the California/Nevada Maglev Trains, additional Metrolink and Amtrak service, and a Monorail to the Disney Resort Area along with other modes of ground transportation.
A strong public realm and Urban Design Framework form the armature for creating place with plazas, pedestrian promenades, and a riverwalk allowing for future residential, retail, office and hospitality uses to complement and integrate with the iconic vision for the Transit Center. The City of Anaheim is the lead Agency working closely with multiple stakeholders and partnering with the Orange County Transportation Authority.
"This major transit gateway will connect Orange County to other areas in California, the United States and around the world, and help ease the demand for local and regional airport expansion and offer future users convenient alternatives for using the auto," said Ken Ryan, principal and head of KTGY's community planning and urban design studio. "This catalyst project is anticipated to be implemented in multiple phases over the next 20 years with phase one consisting of a 13,000-square-foot terminal building, 23,000 square feet of retail space and 30,000 square feet of civic space." In addition to Ryan, KTGY's ARTIC design and planning team includes Geoff Graney, lead designer; Mark Hickner, planning and entitlement director; and Lora Kennedy, project planner.
The Glen at Hidden Hills master-planned community, developed by O'Brien Homes, won a Gold Nugget Grand Award for "California Green Builder Residential Community." The Glen in picturesque Napa, Calif., offers a distinct rich elegance that embraces the enchanting complexities of the wine country and validates the premise that sophisticated single-family detached home design can pair comfortably with environmentally friendly construction. Stylish design integrates classic themes, luxury and practicality. With three to five bedrooms, these one- and two-story homes offer elegant exteriors, spacious interiors with a host of comforting details and sustainable construction and design features. In a streetscape as carefully planned as the homes, a well-textured neighborhood responds to the beautiful setting of rolling hills and open spaces. Tien Shin-Shen, LEED AP, Studio Director joined Jill D. Williams, AIA, Principal and design lead for the team, in partnering with O'Brien for the successful development of The Glen.