What Makes a Project for the Ages?
The PCBC panel looked at features, functionality, business models and resilience as key common denominators in why projects succeed, along with conviction, passion and strong beliefs.
SAN FRANCISCO—The annual Pacific Coast Builders Conference provided attendees with numerous sessions during the three-day event held last week at Moscone. One session, Great Projects For the Ages, assembled four Gold Nugget Awards judges to discuss the solutions, challenges and successes that make for cycle-resistant design, development and investment in future communities.
These four judges/panelists were moderator John McManus, VP/editorial director, residential group of Hanley Wood; Helen Foster, principal of Foster Strategy; Teri Slavik-Tsuyuki, principal of TST Ink LLC; and Valerio Muraro, director of design for Ashton Woods. The group looked at features, functionality, business models and resilience as key common denominators in why projects work.
Slavik-Tsuyuki said while the must-haves are becoming too costly, site selection becomes important to provide adjacent/shared amenities.
“The common thread is working with capital sources and community with conviction, passion and strong beliefs to create great projects,” McManus offered.
To be sure, households are changing, Foster pointed out. In 1960, 68% of 20-somethings were married. By 2008, that number plunged to 26%, which means motherhood is being delayed. Moreover, 35% of mothers are unmarried. Within the older sect, one in 10 is caring for a parent and the 65-plus group is set to double.
The group discussed how tech is affecting consumer trends and behavior within those demographics. There are five trends where tech is dominating: proptech, automation, virtual and augmented reality, the cloud, and big data.
Muraro shared some other styles, materials and physical aspects in successful projects: avoiding tack-on architecture, elevations that stand out, using volume/grade/negative space, connection to outdoors, added light, amenitized spaces, elevating the local vibe, making it fun, and making it matter. For example, themed communities are becoming more prevalent.
Following the session, the California Homebuilding Foundation Hall of Fame Gala was hosted at PCBC on May 31. The event recognized a selection of individuals whose professional achievements have enhanced construction and development in California. Celebrated in 2019 were James Boyd, regional president for Toll Brothers in California and Nevada; Thomas Mitchell, president and chief operating officer of TRI Pointe Group; Sheryl Palmer, chairman and chief executive officer of Taylor Morrison Home Corporation; and Joan Marcus Webb, chief marketing officer for The New Home Company.
In addition, the 56th annual Gold Nugget Awards recognized industry businesses for improving communities through exceptional concepts in design, planning and development. The top six awards were home of the year, Beacon Plan 1 in Beaumont, CA; multifamily community of the year, The Residences at Pacific City in Huntington Beach, CA; residential detached collection of the year, Azure, Paradise Valley, AZ; master-planned community of the year, Daybreak, South Jordan, UT; judges’ special award of excellence, Anaheim White House, Anaheim, CA; judges’ special award of excellence, Cosecha Court II, Granger, WA; and judges’ special award of excellence, Jordan Downs Phase IB, Los Angeles.