SVA Architects Receives Prestigious Judges Special Award of Excellence and Two Gold Nugget Grand Awards at 2017 PCBC

Southern California Firm Earns High Honors in International Design Competition

Santa Ana, CA, July 7, 2017 – SVA Architects, Inc. is pleased to announce that it was the recipient of the Judges Special Award of Excellence, two 2017Gold Nugget Grand Awards, and seven 2017Gold Nugget Awards of Merit at last week’s Gold Nugget Awards ceremony. The June 29 event was part of the annual Pacific Coast Builders Conference and is considered one of the Nation’s largest and most prestigious design competitions.SVA had one of the most diverse portfolios recognized, including K-12, higher education, student housing, single family housing, and public housing renewal.

Jordan Downs
SVA, in partnership with BRIDGE Housing and The Michaels Organization, received the Judges Special Award of Excellence for redeveloping a public housing project, Jordan Downs, into a revitalized mixed income community.Of more than 600 worldwide entries, Jordan Downs was one of only two projects to receive this honor. The $1 billion project will create hundreds of jobs, approximately 1,410 affordable and market-rate homes, numerous public amenities including a new community center, 160,000 square feet of retail space, nine (9) acres of green space, and new neighborhood programs and services.

Ernesto M. Vasquez, FAIA, NCARB, CEO of SVA Architects, states, “This prestigious Special Award of Excellence validates our work on this very ambitious endeavor to renew the distressed Watts community. We are pleased to collaborate with design firm, Mithun | Solomon to deliver such a transformative and significant project for the City of LA.”

Potter’s Lane
SVA, in partnership with American Family Housing, was recognized with a Gold Nugget Grand Award in the Best Affordable Housing Community (30 to 60 du/acre) category for Potter’s Lane.The eco-friendly, affordable housing project in Midway City, CA provides permanent housing for chronically homeless veterans using upcycled steel shipping containers. Residents also receive comprehensive wrap-around services to help achieve self-sufficiency.

American Family Housing CEO, Donna Gallup states, “The design orchestrated by SVA Architects significantly supported American Family Housing’s efforts in getting one of the nation’s most vulnerable populations—homeless war veterans—off the streets. Communities love the design of the building, and because of that stunning representation, American Family Housing has garnered national attention, ultimately giving us the opportunity to make an even greater impact.”

Ferndale Residence
737 Ferndale in Orange, CA also was recognized with a Grand Award in the Best Renovated or Restored Single House category. Robert Simons, AIA, President of SVA Architects, states, “Our intention was to reimagine this mid-century home with the spirit and values of its initial era combined with the resources and technology of today. I’d like to thank the Gold Nugget judges for appreciating how this home combines the character of mid-century design with 21st century living.”

Merit Award Winners
In addition to the Gold Nugget Grand Awards, which each also earned Awards of Merit, SVA’s 2017 Gold Nugget Merit Award-winning projects included:

  • Potter’s Lane – Attached Residential Housing Project of the Year
  • Costa Mesa High School Performing Arts Center–Best Educational Project
  • South Campus Plaza at San Diego State University – Best Campus Housing (Faculty or Student Residential—Institutional use)
  • Faculty & Staff Workforce Housing at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo – Best On the Boards Site Plan