KTGY GROUP Principals to Speak at NAHB 50+ Housing Council International Builders’ Show in Florida

IRVINE, CALIF. - Award-winning KTGY GROUP, INC., Architecture and Planning, is pleased to announce that four principals have been invited to participate in the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) 50+ Housing Council 2007 International Builders’ Show (IBS) in Orlando, Florida, the housing industry’s largest annual light construction trade show and exhibition, attracting more than 100,000 housing professionals. The event will be held on February 5 - 10, 2007 at the Orange County Convention Center and will feature a variety of educational programs focused on the needs and trends of the 50+ housing industry.

KTGY principals and architectural design and planning housing experts, Manny Gonzalez, AIA, Rob Williams, AIA, Brian Muehlbauer and Damian Taitano, will provide design plan reviews during three of the four offered “Active Adult Architectural Plan Review” sessions on Thursday, February 8th (from 10 am – Noon and 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm) and Friday, February 9th (10 am – Noon). Show attendees can sign up for a complimentary 30-minute appointment and bring their community, clubhouse and home plans to be reviewed one-on-one by these top experts in active adult communities.

Noted as one of the country’s top residential design firms, KTGY has won countless awards for its residential and senior housing projects including the Gold Nugget, Builder’s Choice, Best in American Living, Pillars of Industry, MAME, SAM, Multifamily Executive, Elan, Homer and Laurel Awards. Most Recently, KTGY received its fourth Gold Award from the NAHB for Dorado Senior Apartments in Buena Park. It also won a NAHB’s Silver Award for its Gardens at Sierra.

Additionally, Williams is a panelist on the “Ask the Experts – Selling to the Active Adult” session held from 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm on February 9th, and will answer questions and provide valuable insights into reaching the booming 50+ housing market. The two other panelists include Doug Van Lerberghe, AIA with KEPHART and Amy Martino, AIA of Hord Coplan Macht. With over 20 years of architectural design experience, Williams serves as a KTGY principal and lead designer responsible for a comprehensive range of projects from high-end custom residences to a variety of civic and commercial projects.

Gonzalez has also been invited to be a speaker at NAHB’s 50+ Housing Council’s Advocacy, Legislative and Rental Seniors Housing Committee meeting on February 5, 2007, which starts at 2:30 pm. Evelyn Howard of Howard & Associates and Bill Warwick of BartonPartners will join Gonzalez and speak on the topic of “Rental Seniors Housing – New Opportunities for Builders.” Gonzalez is the senior partner in KTGY’s Santa Monica office and is also president of KTGY’s Denver office. He is responsible for the design, land planning and production of developments throughout California, Arizona, Nevada, and Colorado as well as active adult and affordable multi-family communities nationwide.

“The 55+ population in the United States is expected to hit 85 million by 2014, with half of all households headed by someone age 55 or older,” notes Gonzalez. “This targeted demographic is sophisticated and educated, and generally have high incomes, net worth and home equity. In most cases, the decision to purchase a new home is a discretionary choice. Thus, in order to make a move, these seniors are looking for exceptional product with amenities and a lifestyle that meets their needs and aspirations. KTGY’s designs have been extremely successful at accomplishing this.” Gonzalez has served as chair of the AIA Housing Committee, a member of BIA’s Board of Directors, and on national committees for NAHB 50+ Symposium and the University of Housing. He is currently on the editorial advisory board of 50+ Builder and has written and contributed to scores of articles on residential design. Gonzalez has presented his observations to audiences at numerous local, regional and national conferences as well as the 1st International Housing Conference of the Americas in Mexico City.

KTGY’s Principal Muehlbauer leads a team in the production of construction documents for high-end custom residential, multi-family residential and community clubhouse projects. Taitano, also a principal with KTGY and a 12 year design professional, is responsible for conceptual planning and schematic architecture to construction details on residential projects and leads a team who focuses on in-fill projects ranging from 10 to 40 dwelling DU/AC.

The NAHB 50+ Housing Council is the voice of the 50+ seniors housing industry and a leading source of information and research on the active adult, independent living, service-enriched, and assisted-living markets. For information on IBS registration, visit www.BuildersShow.com.

KTGY GROUP, INC., Architecture and Planning, was created in 1991, with project viability and client satisfaction as abiding priorities, while providing complete planning and architectural design services for residential communities, retail developments and related specialty projects. In a complex and changing world, the firm consistently delivers innovative solutions that reflect clear understanding of development, marketing and financial performance.

KTGY takes particular pride in its highly motivated and principal led studio teams, who deliver superior services, thus strengthening clients’ long-term growth and earnings objectives. Serving clients throughout the United States, the firm has locations in Irvine, Santa Monica, Oakland and Denver. For more information, contact Sayeh Rad at (949) 851-2133 or visit www.ktgy.com.

# # #