Southland Builders and Designers Win Half of the Gold Nugget Awards
Southland home builders and architects were the big winners in the design competition at this year’s Pacific Coast Builders Conference, the annual convention that brings together developers and related professionals from California and 13 other Western states.
Builders and designers based in Southern California picked up more than half the top prizes in the contest, including all three of the prestigious “home of the year” awards and both of the top honors for building affordable housing.
For the record:
12:00 a.m. July 7, 1991 For the Record
Los Angeles Times Sunday July 7, 1991 Home Edition Real Estate Part K Page 5 Column 1 Real Estate Desk 2 inches; 65 words Type of Material: Correction
Another winner--Because of incomplete information provided to The Times, one grand prize winner from the design competition at the Pacific Coast Builders Conference was omitted from the list published in the June 30 Real Estate section. Sharing the award for “Best Industrial Project” was Macro-Plastics Inc., Fairfield, Calif. Builder was Carl Recknagel General Contractor; developer was Macro-Plastics Inc., and architect was Boe & Company Architects Inc.
Two Rodeo Drive, a new retail complex in Beverly Hills, was named commercial project of the year. And Ruby’s Diner, a new restaurant in Laguna Beach, was given a special judges’ award for its innovative design.
The Gold Nuggets are to Western builders what Oscars are to actors. They were handed out at the opening of the 33rd annual gathering, which concluded at the Moscone Convention Center here Saturday.
If tradition holds true, the design elements of many winning entries will soon crop up in housing tracts across the United States.
That’s because many architects and developers in other parts of the country look to Western builders and designers for inspiration when they’re planning projects of their own.
“The winners will help to set the trends that will whet the appetites of architects, builders and home buyers across the nation,” said Manny Schatz, a California builder and chairman of the awards committee.
The award for the best detached home on a conventional-sized lot--a parcel that’s at least 4,500 square feet--went to Hillcrest Meadows, a 44-unit development in Rolling Hills Estates. The winning model has three bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths and 2,452 square feet of living space.
The master bedroom suite takes up the entire top floor of the two-story home, which sells for about $740,000.
Hillcrest Meadows is being built by Cal-Coast Development and Peninsula High Associates of Los Angeles. The architect is Santa Monica-based Randy Washington Co.
The award for the best detached home on a small lot went to Promenade at Foothill Ranch, a 118-unit complex being built by J. M. Peters Co. in south Orange County. The winning model has two bedrooms, two baths and an interior balcony that overlooks the living and dining areas. Prices range from $215,000 to $260,000.
Putting the 1,465-square-foot home on a small lot--about 3,600 square feet--posed some special problems for Dorius Architects, the firm that designed the homes. So the architects used a “zero-lot line” plan to make the parcels seem larger.
In a Z-lot development, one side of the home is typically placed directly on the property line. This eliminates the narrow side yards created when a home is placed in the middle of a lot and transfers that space to the yard surrounding the rest of the house.
“This gives you a lot more usable yard space and makes the lot look a lot bigger,” said architect Kermit Dorius.
San Diego-based Davidson Communities won the prize for the attached home of the year for one of its floor plans at Casabella, a 108-unit development in the master-planned community of Renaissance-La Jolla. The winning townhome has four bedrooms and 2 1/2 baths in about 2,719 square feet.
The home has several amenities not usually found in a townhouse, including a 20-foot-high ceiling in the living room, a spiral wood staircase and three fireplaces. The architect is Lorimer-Case of San Diego. Prices start at $488,000.
Two developers who have mastered the art of building “affordable” homes in the pricey Southland market also fared well in this year’s Gold Nugget competition.
Upland-based INCO Homes picked up top honors in the best affordable housing development category for American Traditions, a 305-unit community in the San Bernardino County town of Adelanto.
The four floor plans in the project have two to four bedrooms, two baths and 1,047 to 1,675 square feet.
Berkus Group Architects of Santa Barbara designed American Traditions, which judges praised for its “imaginative yet practical” floor plans. Sales at the complex continue, with prices ranging from $79,990 to $99,990.
Tijeras Creek Villas, a 343-unit condominium complex in Orange County’s master-planned community of Rancho Santa Margarita, was named the best affordable attached development.
The four plans offered at Tijeras Creek have one or two bedrooms and range from 685 to 1,170 square feet. Many have golf-course views.
The complex was designed by Architects Orange and built by San Juan Group, both of which are headquartered in Orange County. Prices for most units range from $102,990 to $145,000.
Two Rodeo Drive, the Beverly Hills shopping center that was named commercial project of the year, is on the corner of Rodeo Drive and Wilshire Boulevard. It consists of a half-dozen stores fronting Rodeo plus a curved, shop-lined cobblestone street that slopes up and away from the drive.
The 136,000-square-foot complex is home to some of the world’s most famous retailers, including Tiffany, Cartier and Christian Dior. One architectural critic dubbed it a “veritable one-stop shop for the Rolls-Royce set.”
Two Rodeo was developed by The Stitzel Co. and built by Peck/Jones. It was designed by Kaplan/McLaughlin/Diaz.
Ruby’s Diner, winner of a special judges’ grand award, is on the former site of an old Laguna Beach landmark--Duke’s Burgers. Local architect Mark Singer designed the Streamline Moderne building to resemble the old drive-up burger stands popular in the 1940s and ‘50s.
“It’s a dazzling little project,” the judges said.
Ruby’s was built by C. T. DeCinces Construction.
Gold Nugget Winners
BEST OF SHOW Commercial Project of the Year
Two Rodeo Drive--Beverly Hills
Builder: Peck/Jones
Developer: The Stitzel Co.
Architect: Kaplan-McLaughlin-Diaz
Land Planner: The Stitzel Co.
Site Plan of the Year
Southern Pacific Railyards Plan--Sacramento
Developer: Southern Pacific Transportation
Land Planner: Roma Design Group
Attached Home of the Year
Casabella--Plan 3--San Diego
Builder/Developer: Davidson Communities
Architect: Lorimer-Case
Detached (Small Lot) Home of the Year
Promenade--Foothill Ranch--Plan 1--Orange County
Builder/Developer: J. M. Peters
Architect: Dorius Architects
Land Planner: Robert Bein, William Frost & Associates
Detached (Conventional Lot)
Home of the Year
Hillcrest Meadows--Plan 2--Rolling Hills Estates
Builder/Developer: Cal-Coast Development Group
Architect/Land Planner: Randy Washington Co.
Special Judges’ Grand Award Winners
(for specific design innovations)
Ruby’s Diner--Laguna Beach
Builder: C. T. DeCinces Construction
Architect: Mark Singer, AIA
The Delancey Street Foundation--San Francisco
Builder: Apersey Construction
Developer: The Delancey Street Foundation
Architect/Land Planner: Backen Arrigoni & Ross
Quail Run Resort Condominiums--Santa Fe, N.M.
Builder/Developer: Scout Development Corp. of New Mexico
Architect: Carter Statzinger Architects,
McHugh, Lloyd, Tryk Architects and
Scout Dev. Corp. of New Mexico
Land Planner: Carter Statzinger Architects
GRAND AWARD WINNERS
COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL CATEGORIES 1--Best Public or Private Special Use Facility
Colorado Convention Center--Denver
Builder: Hensel Phelps Construction
Developer: French &
Architect: C. W. Fentress & Associates
2--Best Office/Professional Building (Under 75,000 sq. ft.)
U.S. Computer Service Research Center--El Dorado Hills
Builder: SBD Inc.
Architect: Williams & Paddon Architects
Franchise Finance Corp. of America--Scottsdale, Ariz.
Builder: Huntcor Inc.
Developer: Westcor Partners
Architect: DeRevere Partnership
Land Planner: The Planning Center
3--Best Office/Professional Building (Over 75,000 sq. ft.)
1201 K Office Tower--Sacramento
Builder: Hensel Phelps Construction
Developer: Lankford & Cook
Architect/Land Planner: Hellmuth Obata & Kassabaum, Inc.
4--Best Commercial Project--Retail
Two Rodeo Drive--Beverly Hills
Builder: Peck/Jones
Developer: The Stitzel
Architect: Kaplan-McLaughlin-Diaz
Land Planner: The Stitzel
5--Best Rehabilitation Commerical or Industrial Project
Preservation Park--Oakland
Builder: Pearson and Johnson
Developer: Bramalea Pacific
Architect: Architectural Resources Group
6--Best Hotel or Hotel Resort
None
7--Best Industrial Project
HMT Technology--Fremont, Calif.
Builder: Devcon Construction , Inc.
Developer: Amarok
Architect/Land Planner: DES Architects & Engineers
SPECIAL HOUSE CATEGORIES 8--Best Custom Home
(Under 4,500 sq. ft.)
Santa Fe Hacienda at Desert Mountain
Builder/Developer: Phil Smith Custom Homes, Inc.
Architect: Allen F. Tafoya
The Emerald Bay House-- Laguna Beach
Builder: Bualda Construction
Developer: The Greystone Group, Inc.
Architect/Land Planner: McLarand, Vasquez & Partners, Inc.
9--Best Custom House (4,500 sq. ft. and over)
Engman Residence--Indian Wells
Builder: J&S; Builder
Architect/Land Planner: Howard Oxley Associates
10--Best Renovated, Restored or Remodeled Residential Project or Single Home
Hopkins Residence--Belvedere, Calif.
Builder: Ireland-Robinson and Hadley, Inc.
Developer: John Hopkins
Architect: Hank Bruce Architects, Sutton Suzuki Architects
11--Best Affordable Housing Development (Detached)
Grand Award Winner
American Traditions--Adelanto, Calif.
Builder/Developer: INCO Homes
Architect: Berkus Group Architects
12--Best Affordable Housing Development (Attached)
Tijeras Creek Villas--Rancho Santa Margarita
Builder: San Juan Group
Developer: Tijeras Creek Villas Limited
Architect/Land Planner: Architects Orange
Frank G. Mar Community Housing--Oakland
Builder: Roberts/Obayashi
Developer: East Bay Asian Dev. Corp.;
Bridge Housing Corp.
Architect: Donald McDonald Architects
13--Best Apartment Project (1 to 2 Stories)
Autumn Chase Apartments--Vancouver, Wash.
Builder/Developer: Simpson Housing Corp.
Architect/Land Planner: Paul T. Bergner, AIA Architect
14--Best Apartment Project (3 Stories or More)
Centrepointe--Los Angeles
Builder/Developer: Kemper Builders
Architect: Togawa and Smith, Inc.
15--Best Mixed Use (Business/Residential) Project
Fillmore Center--San Francisco
Builder: Turner
Developer: Fillmore Center Associates
Architect: Daniel Mann Johnson & Mendenhall
16--Best Senior Housing Project
Terrace Gardens--Milpitas
Builder: Sukura Construction
Developer: The John Stewart ;
Terrace Gardens, Inc.
Architect/Land Planner: The Steinberg Group, Architects
The Waterford at Rossmoor--Walnut Creek
Builder/Developer: UDC Homes
Architect/Land Planner: Backen Arrigoni & Ross
SITE/LAND PLANNING--PLANNING FOR TOMORROW’S PRODUCTS 17--Best Residential Product Site Plan (Under 25 Acres)
The Waikoloa Palms--Waikoloa, Hawaii
Builder: Holmby-Taisei Development
Architect/Land Planner: McLarand, Vasquez & Partners, Inc.
18--Best Community Site Plan (100 Acres or Less)
Renaissance--San Jose
Developer: Forest City
Architect/Land Planner: McLarand, Vasquez & Partners, Inc.
19--Best Community Site Plan (Over 100 Acres)
Renaissance La Jolla--San Diego
Builder/Developer: McKellar Development of La Jolla
Architect/Land Planner: Johannes Van Tilburg & Partners
20--Best Redevelopment, Rehab. or Infill Site Plan--Residential and/or Commercial
Southern Pacific Railyards Plan--Sacramento
Developer: Southern Pacific Transportation
Land Planner: Roma Design Group
21--Best New Town Land Plan
Evergreen--San Jose
Developer: City of San Jose Task Force
Architect/Land Planner: Dahlin Group Architects
22--Best Single Family (small lot) Detached Home (Under 1,500 sq. ft.)
Promenade--Foothill Ranch--Plan 1--Orange County
Builder/Developer: J. M. Peters
Architect: Dorius Architects
Land Planner: Robert Bein, William Frost & Associates
23--Best Single Family (small lot) Detached Home (1,500 to 2,000 sq. ft.)
Beverly Court--Plan 1--Foothill Ranch, Calif.
Builder/Developer: Bramalea California, Inc.
Architect: Berkus Group Architects
Land Planner: Morse Consulting Group
24--Best Single Family (small lot) Detached Home (2,001 to 2,500 sq. ft.)
Blackstone--The Alicante--Danville
Builder/Developer: H. R. Remington Properties
Architect/Land Planner: Dahlin Group Architects
25--Best Single Family (small lot) Detached Home (Over 2,500 sq. ft.)
Ocean Pointe--Plan 1--Huntington Beach
Builder/Developer: Urban West Communities
Architect/Land Planner: Richardson Nagy Martin
26. Best Single Family Detached Home (Under 1,500 sq. ft.)
Del Webb’s Sun City Tucson, The Montara--Tucson, Ariz.
Builder/Developer: Del Webb Communities
Architect: Iverson-Wilkerson Architects
Land Planner: WLB Group
27--Best Single Family Detached Home (1,500 to 2,000 sq. ft.)
Del Webb’s Sun City Tucson, the Sunrise--Tucson, Ariz.
Builder/Developer: Del Webb Communities
Architect: Iverson-Wilkinson Architects
Land Planner: WLB Group
Topaz at La Quinta--The Ruby--La Quinta
Builder: GWR Development
Architect: Quincy Johnson Associates
Land Planner: Community Engineering
28--Best Single Family Detached Home (2,001 to 2,500 sq. ft.)
Hillcrest Meadows--Plan 2--Rolling Hills Estates
Builder: Cal-Coast Development Group
Architect/Land Planner: Randy Washington
29--Best Single Family Detached Home (2,501 to 3,000 sq. ft.)
Orofino--The San Simeon--Folsom
Builder: Patrick Construction Corp.
Developer: River West Developments
Architect: Architects Lorimer-Case
Land Planner: River West Developments
30--Best Single Family Detached Home (Over 3,000 sq. ft.)
Summit Point at the Summit of Anaheim Hills, Beverly Hills Estate, Plan 4--Anaheim Hills
Builder/Developer: The Baldwin
Architect: Architects Lorimer-Case
Land Planner: Church Engineering, Inc.
31--Best Condo Unit or Attached Home (Under 1,200 sq. ft.)
CorteBella--ResidenceA--Irvine
Builder: RGC (RecreActions Group of Cos.)
Developer: The Irvine
Architect/Land Planner: McLarand, Vasquez & Partners, Inc.
32--Best Condo Unit or Attached Home (1,200 to 1,600 sq. ft.)
Galleria--Picasso--San Jose
Builder/Developer: A-M Homes
Architect/Land Planner: McLarand, Vasquez & Partners, Inc.
33--Best Condo Unit or Attached Home (1,601 to 2,000 sq. ft.)
Corte Villa--Plan 2--Tustin
Builder/Developer: Donald L. Bren
Architect/Land Planner: Shleppey Hezmalhalch Associates, Inc.
34--Best Condo Unit or Attached Home (Over 2,000 sq. ft.)
Casabella--Plan 3--San Diego
Builder/Developer: Davidson Communities
Architect: Architects Lorimer-Case
35--Best Residential Project--Attached
Corte Bella--Irvine
Builder: RGC (RecreActions Group of Cos.)
Developer: The Irvine
Architect/Land Planner: McLarand, Vasquez & Partners, Inc.
36--Best Residential Project--Detached
Jameson Court--Sierra Madre
Builder/Developer: Alexander/Catania Development
Architect/Land Planner: Booth-Good Architecture Planning
37--Best Specialty Housing Project
River Oaks--San Jose
Builder/Developer: Shea Business Properties, Shea Homes, A-M Homes, The Greystone Group and Altamount Enterprise, Inc.
Architect/Land Planner: McLarand, Vasquez & Partners Inc.
43--Best Research and Development
Project
Failure Analysis Associates Inc.--Menlo Park, Calif.
Builder: Devcon Construction Inc.
Developer: Failure Analysis Associates Inc.
Architect/Land Planner: Archon Associates
