IRVINE, CALIF.-based KTGY Group Inc., Architecture and Planning, has received national recognition for the design of Nuevo Amanecer Apartments, an affordable, workforce housing community in Pajaro, Calif. The Center for Community Innovation at the University of California, Berkeley selected Nuevo Amanecer Apartments as a finalist for the 2009 I. Donald Terner Prize. A biennale award, the Terner Prize recognizes successful and innovative affordable housing projects and their leadership teams.
Developed and built by South County Community Builders of Gilroy, Calif., KTGY’s distinguished design maintains the sense of community and interaction among the residents, including patios and balconies, a long central paseo with benches anchored by a large community room on one end and a tot-lot with barbecue and picnic area on the other end. The six-building project is 100 percent affordable for incomes 60 percent or less below median family income (MFI).
“Our goal with Nuevo Amanecer Apartments was to provide affordable, energy-efficient, quality homes for low income migrant and resident farm workers,” said KTGY’s Principal David Senden.
“Solar roof panels, made possible through grants and subsidies, are used to generate electricity, which aids in affordable living. The efficient, high-density design promotes affordability, and delivers comfortable living spaces. Site plan supplies two garage spaces per unit. Paseo and shaded areas promote neighborly interface, safety and security,” said Senden.
In 1996, visionary leader in the affordable housing field Don Terner tragically lost his life during a humanitarian mission to Bosnia. This biennale prize was created to commemorate his legacy and inspire projects that best exemplify his spirit and commitment to affordable housing.
“The Terner Prize showcases the leadership required to overcome the many obstacles to building affordable housing,” said Doug Abbey, prize chair and founder of IHP Capital Partners. “Quality, quantity and affordability, was Don’s mantra and the prize is designed to recognize innovation in design, construction, financing, and impact on residents’ lives and building thriving communities.”
The winner and five finalists, which were selected from 53 applications from over 21 states, were honored on February 5, 2009, during the 2009 Housing Policy Forum at the Haas School of Business, University of California, Berkeley. The Forum features panels on housing affordability, standards and mixed-income development and other housing policy issues facing the state of California. The event is sponsored by the BRIDGE Housing Corporation, UC Berkeley’s Fisher Center for Real Estate & Urban Economics and the Urban Land Institute.
Read BD+C's feature on Nuevo Amanecer Apartments here.
