Multifamily Market Remains Strong

   

     According to a new survey conducted by Apartments.com, a notable percentage of people actively looking to lease in today’s apartment market are not hunting because they have to rent but because they want to rent.   There has been a psychological change in the mindset toward rental apartments. “It’s becoming a lifestyle choice rather than a stepping stone”.[1]  This segment of the population are getting used to using rather than owning (great examples include streaming video and Zipcars). 

The Tucson office has currently completed one project and has two more lifestyle based apartment complexes supporting these trends.  STG Design designed Encatada at Riverside Crossing for HSL Properties.  This 304-unit, luxury apartment community has amenities such as a resort-style pool, a 24 hour fitness center with child care, on-site Starbucks Coffee, a THX- certified movie theater, beautiful landscaping, picnic & barbeque areas, with energy efficient design, and is located in a desirable central location.  STG designed two more of these types of communities for HSL Properties, Encantada at Dove Mountain, a 272-unit, $29 million complex located in Oro Valley, north of Tucson, and Encantada at Steam Pump Ranch, a 288-unit, $30 million project built starting in the fourth quarter 2012.

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[1] http://www.architectmagazine.com/multifamily/market-rate-multifamily.aspx

 

2012 Sandcastle Competition

On June 2nd, STG Design competed in the 26th Annual AIA Sandcastle Competition at East Beach, Galveston, TX.

Our theme was the Texas Avengers, to take advantage of the popularity of the movie coming out.  We were joined by PKB Engineers, Engineering 360, IE2 (squared) Construction, and DAJ Construction along with friends and family making a great group of over 60 teammates.

Team Leaders were Chris Covey and Denisse Valle. Kelly Henson, Patrick Lamb, Darrell Westcott, Brittney Couch and Shayna Finn also participated.

We were a well-oiled and very well sunscreen-protected machine. We didn’t win any trophies but we were mentioned (and partially pictured) on the front page of the Galveston Daily News.

Even though we didn’twin, everyone in the group said how much they enjoyed working on the project and with each other. It was a great team-building experience and many were thinking of ideas for next year on the way home.

For more photos check out STG Design on Flickr.

“Something Old, Something New”

Houston has recently received something OLD and something NEW…

    

As we expand the Houston office’s business portfolio, we are pleased to announce Larry Meeks’ new role as Managing Partner. He will be sharing his talents between the Tucson and Houston offices.

We also welcome Jason Tramonte, Jr. as the newest member of our team.  Jason is a Louisiana native with deep Houston roots, including a degree from the University of Houston and twelve years of architectural experience.  He brings a fresh approach to design, recognition for his work on Houston’s first LEED building, an extensive resume, superb people skills, and enthusiasm to be a part of our team. When Jason is not hard at work, he enjoys going hunting, fishing, and spending time with his wife and two children, fifth generation Houstonians.   Jason’s appointment as Principal makes him an asset to our growing office.

Verde Viernes – Austin Zero Landfill

ZeroLandfill™ is an upcycling program held seasonally every year, that supports the supply needs of local artists and arts educators while reducing pressure on local landfill capacity. STG Design collected a large amount of material samples and donated them to the program.

The numbers are in!!!! Drum roll please…..Austin diverted almost 28,000 lbs from the landfill.

To learn more visit http://zerolandfill.net/

image provided by http://zerolandfill.net/

STG Design – Tucson – Corvette Cafe at O’Rielly Chevrolet

The Corvette Café at O’Rielly Chevrolet has been a landmark for O’Rielly customers for decades; where they can enjoy a full meal or snack while they wait for their vehicle to be serviced.  The current Corvette Café has a 1950’s retro diner theme and is located in its own space outside of the customer lounge.  It’s location as a separate space means the customers must choose to visit the café or head straight to the customer lounge.  The new layout fully integrates the café into the customer lounge, providing a coffee shop style experience as a gathering space encouraging customers to experience the café.

STG Design – Nashville – H3GM and Frost Brown Todd Moving In

We are proud to present everyone with progress photos of two of our most recent projects in Nashville, H3GM and Frost Brown Todd.  They will be moving in this month!

H3GM

 

Frost Brown Todd

 

 

VERDE VIERNES! – Green to the Roots – nWn Bar

The wNw Bar located in Vietnam truly reminds us that being “green” is in our roots and doesn’t have to be complicated.  It employs vernacular building traditions in its structure and passive cooling systems.  “A structural bamboo arch system was designed for this dome; 10m high and spanning 15m across. The main frame is made by 48 units, each of them is made of several bamboo elements bound together. The building uses natural wind energy and the cool water from the lake to create natural air-ventilation. On the top of the roof there is a hole with a diameter of 1.5m for the evacuation of hot air from the inside.”

 

Architects: Vo Trong Nghia
Location: Phu Tho district, Thu Dau Mot Town, Binh Duong, Vietnam
Project Completion: 2008
Construction Area: 250 sqm
Photographer: Phan Quang

 

 

Photos and quotes provided by: http://www.archdaily.com/220071/wnw-bar-vo-trong-nghia/

 

STG Design – Austin – Austin Business Journal

Austin Business Journal Ranked STG Design as #2 for 2011’s Architecture firms!  (We were ranked #4 in 2010)

STG Design – Houston – NiSource Project

The Houston office recently celebrated the move-in of our largest local project to date, NiSource Gas Transmission & Storage, an approximately 50,000 SF oil & gas company.

The project has been in the Houston office since August 2010.

This  was the first 100% Revit project for Houston office.

The project’s design features an internal stair and custom super graphics from the company’s photo archives.

STG Design – Tucson – Meet Jeffrey and Anyce!

Everyone welcome Jeffrey and Anyce to our team!

Jeffrey Simon

In the Tucson corner of STG Design, weighing in at 164 pounds and looking to keep it that way, Tucson Native, Jeffrey Simon.  His formative years in the Sonoran Desert fostered an appreciation for the shade and a loathing for the heat.  He earned his Bachelor of Architecture through the University of Arizona’s College of Architecture and holds Professional Registration in Arizona, as well as being a LEED Accredited Professional. Jeff has seven years working in the profession on custom residential, residential cluster and commercial retail design. He recently completed four years of being an Uncle, which has simultaneously motivated and terrified him.  In his free time Jeff designs and constructs small to medium scale furniture.

Anyce Paquette

Say hello to this high-energy, fun-filled Interior Designer at your Tucson office. She is a 5’-4”, thin brunette who likes hiking, gardening, and building 3D models for client meetings. An alumnus of the Southwest University of Visual Arts, Anyce graduated with honorable mention, and brings with her a diverse work history ranging from education and corporate interiors to healthcare and multi-family facilities. As an active member of IIDA, Anyce can bring you high-energy and connectivity with the Southwest design industry.