A quirky Sherman Heights redevelopment project and a housing development that incorporated the restoration of a trash-cluttered stream won national recognition with Gold Nugget Awards.
Winning a grand award as the best rehabilitation project was the new corporate headquarters of Red Door Interactive in Sherman Heights, designed by AVRP Studios.
President
AVRP Studios
“It had its challenges, but the fact that it had the outcome that it did is rewarding and I’m kind of glad that it’s recognized for that,” said Chris Veum, president of AVRP.
“Winning a grand award, it’s a big deal. It’s a national award,” Veum said. “It’s not about my doing the coolest, best thing out there for my peers. No, I’m doing it for my clients, but it’s nice to be recognized by my peers.”
Red Door Interactive moved from downtown offices in Diamond View Tower overlooking Petco Park to three-low-rise buildings that had been a single-family home, a metal-side garage, and a former storefront.
As designed by AVRP, the mishmash of buildings at 2436-2450 Market St. was transformed into a campus, reusing the existing buildings but in a way that they still fit in with their neighbors.
“We were, are conscious of the neighborhood of Sherman Heights,” Veum said.
The former single-family home was stripped down to the studs and rebuilt in keeping with the original craftsman-style and outdoor patios were added.
The metal building is the hub of the campus, a place with room for group meetings with a kitchen added. The former storefront is divided into three open rooms and small breakaway areas for heads down work.
Scattered throughout the buildings are what Veum described as Easter eggs of little spaces to be discovered as people walk through them.
The Creek
Winning a Gold Nugget as the best affordable housing project was The Orchard at Hilltop, a housing development with 133 apartments in two four-story buildings, designed by Studio E Architects and built by Affirmed Housing.
A separate one-story building includes a community kitchen.
President
Affirmed Housing
“There were a lot of unique challenges to overcome on such a complex project,” said Jimmy Silverwood, president of Affirmed Housing.
“This award demonstrates what’s possible when talented design stakeholders unite to produce beautiful homes that breathe new life into neighborhoods,” Silverwood said.
At the heart of the project is a restored creek that runs through the 9.4-acre site. The site for years had been strewn with construction debris and other trash.
“It’s all about the creek,” said John Sheehan, Studio E principal.
“Our team’s concept centered on the restoration and enjoyment of the Chollas Creek,” Sheehan said.
With the buildings organized around the creek, “The project reintroduces this forgotten and damaged water course to the neighborhood,” Sheehan said.
Murals by Maxx Moses of Encanto are at the entrance to the property and elsewhere on site.
Two portions of Hilltop Drive were connected through the site as part of street improvements that included widening Euclid Avenue.
The Orchard at Hilltop shares the site with a market-rate development by Ito Girard & Associates and La Jolla Management.
Picked for a Gold Nugget as the best commercial project was the expansion of Del Mar Highlands Town Center with its Sky Deck, designed by RDC Architects.
The 26,700-square-foot Sky Deck includes a 35-foot by 60-foot skylight that floods the area with sunlight during the day adding to the open feel of the food hall that adjoins 6,360 square feet of outdoor decks.
An award for the best community center design went to 3 Roots Wellness Center by Carlos Architects and DAHLIN.
