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As recognition of its diverse practice, both locally and abroad, Irvine, CA-based architecture, interiors and planning firm MVE & Partners with its affiliated firm MVE Pacific was awarded with five prestigious Gold Nugget Grand Awards, among the 14 Merit Awards gained at the annual Gold Nugget Awards, held during the Pacific Coast Builders Conference this year in San Francisco.
The coveted Gold Nugget awards are among the most prestigious that can be won in the building industries, and recognize excellence and innovation in solving design and construction challenges. All award-winning projects are given Merit Awards, with the Grand Awards (i.e. best of category) announced live at the awards ceremony.
"We are deeply gratified to have so many of our projects be recognized by the Gold Nugget Awards and the industry as best of their type," says Rick Emsiek, AIA, President of MVE & Partners. "But we are even more proud that our designs serve residents, community and our clients."
Four projects gained five Gold Nugget Grand Awards, with one receiving Grands in dual categories. Luxetown in Chengdu, China, joins three California projects-Irvington Terrace in Fremont, Harmony at Colony Park in Anaheim, MacArthur BART Transit Village in Oakland-with wins in the following categories:
Attached Suburban Residential Project of the Year: Harmony at Colony Park, Anaheim, CA (Developer: Brookfield Homes Southland). The jury proclaimed: "This nifty little infill project pretty much did it all. It transformed a derelict brownfield site inside the urban core, honored the architectural styles of surrounding neighborhoods, executed the unified vision of various public and private stakeholder groups, bolstered density (without appearing dense) and delivered a charming mix of affordable and workforce housing in a variety of dwelling types." Centrally located in downtown Anaheim's Historic Colony District, the mid-priced Harmony at Colony Park showcases early Californian and French Normandy townhouse architecture. Stylish carriage, row townhomes and stacked flats offer one- to three-bedroom units ranging from approximately 1,073 to 2,060 square feet. Artfully crafted details, such as romantic French doors, striking archways and spacious walk-in closets, as well as kitchens with professional stainless-steel appliances and beautiful granite countertops, add to the attractive neighborhood amenities that include community room, private park, pool and barbeque pavilion.
Best Affordable Project 30 du/Acre or More: Irvington Terrace, Fremont, CA (Developer: BRIDGE Housing). The judges noted: "This project is visually pleasing, a descriptor seldom used to define an affordable housing project. The street edge creates the feel of an urban brownstone walk-up, while recreation corridor provides the sense of security and privacy. Adding to this is the inclusion of commercial mixed use, office facilities and major recreation amenities, making this a very livable community." A $31.8-million, affordable-housing project, Irvington Terrace brings extensive common areas and quality, contemporary Mission-style architecture to families on limited incomes. Irvington Terrace features 100 affordable apartments arranged in three stories over a podium parking garage. Community rooms, two large landscaped courtyards, offices, laundry, lobby and commercial/retail space are included amenities. The project was also noted with a Merit Award in the category of Best Apartment Project up to Three Stories of Housing.
Best Attached Housing Project (For Sale) 18 to 40 du/Acre: Harmony at Colony Park, Anaheim, CA (see details, above). From the judges: "This brownfield redevelopment finesses 339 attached homes onto 18 acres, but the neighborhood doesn't feel cramped. And with its clever assemblage of handsome carriage homes, row homes and stacked flats (including affordable units) it doesn't feel cookie cutter. The place-making aspect of this project is superb, and it works."
Best On the Boards Site Plan: MacArthur BART Transit Village, Oakland, CA (Developer is MacArthur Transit Community Partners/BRIDGE Housing). The jury noted, "This mixed-use project will create a new residential neighborhood and bring economic vitality to a deteriorating area. It's a model for redevelopment." The MacArthur Transit Village is a pedestrian-friendly, in-town, transit-oriented redevelopment plan that calls for the development of?675 units of high-density multi-family housing (including 20 percent set aside for affordable housing), 34,000 square feet of ground-floor retail and 5,000 square feet of community space, on existing BART parking lots. The plan calls for the creation of a walkable community, and expanded retail in and around the BART station.
International Site Plan: Luxetown, Chengdu, China. Designed by MVE Pacific (Developer: Chengdu Wide Horizon Co., Ltd.). "GREAT JOB!" the jury succinctly, yet enthusiastically, proclaimed. Luxetown is a 1,978-unit large-scale mixed-use community that is part of a master-planned golf-course resort development located on the outskirts of Chengdu, China. Amid the hustle and bustle of Chengdu, the project offers the peace and tranquility of pastoral, luxury living in the shadow of a world-class metropolis. Planned in four phases, the residential towers and mid-rise buildings are organized around a central man-made lake. Responding to the local cultural affinity for natural landscape, MVE Pacific's planners envision an organic park-like setting through which the landscaping and architecture are harmoniously woven together in a sustainable planning concept.
In addition to the five Grand Awards, MVE & Partners and MVE Pacific garnered nine Gold Nugget Merit Awards in the following categories:
The 45-year-old Gold Nugget Awards program is the premiere event of the annual PCBC. Gold Nuggets honor creative achievements in architectural design and land use planning for residential, commercial and industrial projects. Both national and international projects are recognized, entered by firms in 14 western states.
MVE & Partners is a national architecture, planning and interiors firm with a portfolio spanning more than 30 years. MVE's design and delivery services include the creation of residential, commercial, mixed-use, hospitality, retail, transit, interior and planning solutions from offices in Irvine and Oakland, CA, and in Honolulu, HI. Educational and civic projects are completed by MVE Institutional, an affiliated company. MVE & Partners bridges forward-thinking design initiatives, such as sustainability, smart-growth and urbanization to the timely completion of projects. While design diversity is the cornerstone of the firm, the defining approach is the creation of meaningful, attractive environments that enhance community and quality of life.
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