California Architecture Firm Named Multifamily Community of the Year by NAHB
March 20, 2009 – (RealEstateRama) — Irvington Terrace, designed by MVE & Partners, Inc., a California-based architectural firm, was named Multifamily Community of the Year today by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). The winning community, which also was named the winner in the Best Affordable Apartment category, was selected by the judges from the winners of all 17 builder-category awards.
“Irvington Terrace clearly demonstrates that affordability does not rule out good design and functionality,” said Steve Patterson, Chair of NAHB’s Multifamily Leadership Board. “With affordability becoming increasingly important in this troubled economy, it’s encouraging to know that affordable rentals also can be beautiful.”
The award, sponsored by Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, is a top honor in NAHB’s prestigious Pillars of the Industry Awards program, which annually recognizes excellence in multifamily housing development, design, marketing and management. Carl McLarand, chairman and CEO of MVE & Partners accepted the award on behalf of the company at a gala celebration hosted by NAHB Multifamily in San Diego in conjunction with its annual conference for apartment and condo developers.
Irvington Terrace incorporates modernist design within a village-square community environment. The development forms a block-long perimeter of flat-roofed affordable rental apartments, each with separate entrances and porches, placed alongside market-rate for-sale town houses.
The 108,000 square-foot development sits atop a partially underground parking garage, disguised under front stoops to maintain the neighborhood’s sense of scale. The rental units are clustered around two landscaped courtyards and are adjacent to public amenities for residents including meeting spaces, laundry facilities and classroom space. The three-story buildings fit 40 units into each acre, and the design has no ‘backside’ – an architectural choice that enhances neighborhood security by providing views of the street in all directions.
Irvington Terrace showcases innovational use of affordable materials by strategically massing the units together and selecting a variety of earth tones to accentuate the California Mission style architecture. In this setting, the use of plaster construction gives the appearance of concrete or stone, creating an upscale look with an affordable price tag. Each unit is accented with trellises and pergolas, providing an attractive symmetry with its neighboring market-rate for-sale homes.
View the full list of winners on NAHB’s Web site at www.nahb.org/multifamily
