Optima Camelview Village voted Best Condo Development

There aren't many amenities that Optima Camelview Village doesn't offer to its tenants. In addition to striking interiors that boast floor-to-ceiling glass walls and gourmet kitchens, those who call Camelview Village home also have access to an indoor swimming pool, a putting green, a fitness center, a dog park, a party room and much more. Plus, the lovely garden terraces are always a source of eye candy for those driving along Scottsdale Road.

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Optima Camelview Village honored with
The American Architecture Award 2009

"The American Architecture Awards" have become the foremost, prestigious awards program for public recognition for Excellence in Architecture in the United States both nationally and internationally. The Awards identify new cutting-edge design direction, urban philosophy, design approach, style, and intellectual substance in American Architecture today.

2009 Design Excellence Awards -
Distinguished Building Honor Award

Chicago Architect Magazine Nov/Dec 2009

Relic Rock

Scottsdale, Arizona
Architect: David Hovey Jr., AIA
Client: DCH Global Inc.
Contractor: DCH Global Inc.

Exploring ways to use architecture, technology and construction methodology in accord with the site's desert conditions and terrain, the architect settled on a few basic elements. An elevated floor would leave much of the natural ground untouched. Using recycled corten steel for architectural and structural components would make construction efficient and lasting. Solar panels would gather an abundant renewable resource. And a butt-glazed high-performance glass would allow indoors and out to merge. The aim was to use this house as prototype for subsequent buildings, but "with that kind of detailing, this house really rises above prototypes," one judge said. They felt that the treatment of the site was superb: "With the house raised above, the outdoor space becomes architectural itself," and it's up and down where the land is up and down, keeping [occupants] in touch with what they have." The use of corten, too, was right for the site: "The land is kind of raw. Corten fits this place." The ceiling detail, the grand stairs and the middle courtyard were all help up as exceptionally well thought out.

2009 Design Award Winners
The American Institute of Architects, Arizona

HONOR AWARD - Optima Camelview Village, Scottsdale, Arizona

Area - 2 Million GSF
Architect: David Hovey & Associates Architect, Inc.
Owner: Optima Camelview Village, LLC
General Contractor: Optima Construction, Inc.
Civil Engineer: Kimley-Horn & Associates
Structural Engineer: Constructive Engineering
Design Mechanical Engineer: Peterson & Associates Electrical
Engineer: Peterson & Associates
Plumbing Engineer: Peterson & Associates; W-T Engineering

This 700-unit mixed-use condominium comprised of eleven terraced, bridge-linked buildings responds to the harsh desert climate by creating a pedestrian friendly shaded environment of interconnected landscaped courtyards. The community integrates local contemporary architectural features, elements, materials and vernacular with the demands of highdensity twenty-first century residential design. Seventeen acres of garden terraces were created on the twelve acre site through the extensive use of green roof technology and by locating all parking below grade in this project positioned for LEED Silver certification.

HONOR AWARD - Relic Rock, Scottsdale, Arizona

Building Area - 9,600 GSF
Architect: David Hovey, Jr., AIA

Relic Rock is a prototype for a sustainable, modular, prefabricated architectural building system designed to be adaptable to a range of different climates. The program was based on a sustainable building solution focused on the synergy of architecture, technology and construction methodology in accord with the regional desert environment of the site. The solution was the development of a two-way building system with an elevated floor to leave the natural desert as untouched as possible, recycled cor-ten steel for structural and architectural components, solar panels, and a butt-glazed high performance glass merging the outside environment with the interior of the home.

Best of 2008 Awards for Landscape/Urban Design/Residential
Optima Camelview Village was honored with three Best of 2008 Awards for landscape, urban design and residential design.

Southwest Contractor's 11th annual Best of Awards recognizes construction and design excellence in separate award ceremonies for Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico. Over 650 entries were received in the Southwest region for Best of 2008, with 260 representing Arizona projects.

An independent jury comprised of industry experts selected winning projects based on design excellence, craftsmanship, innovation, teamwork and the project's contribution to the community and construction industry.

This year's Arizona panel of judges included: Linnea O'Dowd, LEED AP with Drewett + Brenden Architecture; Daniel Perez, IAIA with Leo A. Daly; Gary Worthy, AIA, ASLA from DLR Group; Ken Schacherbauer of Perini Building Co.; Brent Leif with Hunt Construction Group; Thomas Rogers with Northern Arizona University; Julie Stanton with Stanton Consulting; Richard B. Usher with Hill & Usher; David Beer with Sun Valley Masonry; Jay Graef with Graef Construction; and Ryan Eberle, P.E. with Kleinfelder.

Landscape/Urban Design/Residential
Optima at Camelview Village

This modernist-inspired architectural mixed-use project is a myriad of interconnected buildings and lush oasis roof terraces. Over 17 acres of landscaped green roofs on each level and rooftop aid in reduction of ambient temperature and energy consumption. The overall landscaping design is based on line of sight, leaping from one unit to the next. The cascading plants on the terraces and rooftop provide screening for each patio. The entire project is watered and fertilized by a computer-generated, two-wire irrigation controller. Photovoltaic panels have been incorporated into the rooftop gardens. With over 700 urban dwelling units, the six- and seven-story structures also include retail, resort-style amenities and below-grade parking.

2008 Agents' Choice Awards

Chicago, November 19 - Chicago Agent magazine honored 14 exceptional companies in a ceremony celebrating the magazine's third annual Agents' Choice Awards.

2008 Agents' Choice Awards winner for Favorite Overall New Development - Suburb
Optima Old Orchard Woods

We are deeply honored that Optima Old Orchard Woods has been chosen as the suburban Favorite Overall New Development by 16,000 agents in the third annual Agents' Choice Awards. We believe the building offers unique amenities that are compelling to condominium buyers.

Optima Old Orchard Woods is a luxury condominium complex consisting of three interconnected towers with bold voids and cantilevers, which create an exciting and architecturally inspiring structure. Designed by nationally respected architect, David Hovey, FAIA, this energy-efficient complex features seven levels of green roof sky gardens and exterior sunshades. The fine quality finishes and floor-to-ceiling windows with woodland and Chicago skyline views are unmatched.

Attractions include an indoor pool, spas, party room, fitness centers, indoor heated parking, convenience shopping, The Grove residents' park, a dog park and the forest preserve with golf course, walking trails and equestrian stables. The location is equally convenient to the city and suburbs, with excellent public transportation.

The staff at Optima Old Orchard Woods takes pride in its cooperative relationship with the Chicagoland brokerage community.

View PDF of article

2008 Environmental Excellence Award...

Optima Camelview Village was awarded the Crescordia Award, the highest award in its category, by Valley Forward Association for environmental excellence for multi-family residential buildings and structures. Valley Forward is an organization of large corporations, businesses, municipalities, government agencies, nonprofit groups and concerned citizens whose mission, since 1969, has been to promote a balance between economic growth and environmental quality throughout the metropolitan region.

View Valley Forward Association's 28th Annual Environmental Excellence Awards Booklet article: Optima Camelview Village

Optima Camelview Named One of the Top
Architectural Achievements in Arizona

Optima Camelview was honored as one of the Top 18 Architectural Achievements in Arizona by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and AZRE magazine.

The AIA celebrated its 150th anniversary by teaming up with AZRE magazine to publish the "150 of Arizona's Greatest Architectural Achievements" in 2007.

From there, the panel narrowed down the selection to the top 18, with Optima Camelview Village being honored with one of the top designations.

Arizona Foothills Names Sundance and
Windsong Platinum Award Winners

In April, Arizona Foothills magazine named the first two sculptures in a series of three pledged by David Hovey as their Platinum Award winners for the best art in the Valley.

The two sculptures, named Sundance and Windsong, are available for public viewing at Optima Camelview Village. We are told the editors of the magazine are holding their breath to see the third sculpture that will be unveiled later this year.

American Institute of Architects Chicago Honors Optima Biltmore Towers with a 2007 Design Excellence Award

Divine Detail Award
In late 2007, Optima received a Devine Detail Award from the American Institute of Architects Chicago for the use of steel arbors to hold photovoltaic panels on the green roof of Optima Biltmore Towers.

This relaxing and livable environment atop the 15-story building, which also features a pool and spa, is accented by the incorporation of the arbors and green-technology solar panels.

"Clever integration," a juror said of the devices, which use green technology in a way that performs a simple function—providing shade

American Institute of Architects Chicago honors Sterling Ridge with 2006 Design Excellence Honor Award

Distinguished Building Award

This residence reflects the rugged terrain of the High Sonoran desert in Scottsdale, Arizona. Concrete walls blend with the earth; steel beams reflect the power and color of nearby rock outcroppings. Interior spaces seamlessly transition to exterior decks that function as canopies. Photovoltaic cells are suspended in the cantilevers to screen the interior from the desert sun while creating electricity to power the home. The jury said "It is kind of raw, which is appropriate to its desert setting. The photovoltaics are deployed elegantly—the first time I've ever seen that."

View Chicago Tribune article: "Green" has designs on the field's top prizes

2005 Environmental Excellence Award Winner

Optima Inc.'s Sterling Ridge received the first-place Crescordia Award at the Valley Forward's 25th annual Environmental Excellence Awards gala on Sept. 9th. Arizona's oldest and largest environmental competition. Sterling Ridge was honored as a structure with raw simplicity in its character, composition and assembly of materials that is consistent with the desert environment.

American Institute of Architects Chicago honors Sterling Ridge with 2005 Design Excellence Awards

Interior Architecture Award - Residential
More than 20 years ago the Interior Architecture Award was established to promote interior architecture as a unique profession by honoring phenomenal projects. Interior architecture, for award purposes, is defined as the space within a building envelope, including lighting, finishes and furnishing designs. The jury studied a range of projects completed between Jan. 1, 2003 and May 1, 2005.

The residence takes its cue from the rugged desert. The fundamental idea is one of raw simplicity in the character, composition and assembly of materials consistent with the surrounding environment. Concrete walls blend with the earth, steel beams reflect the power and color of boulder outcroppings and red and green accents provide the punctuation naturally found in the vibrant vegetation of the desert. Spaces were left open to be viewed within and without. A minimal amount of furniture was used to accentuate the spaces' strength. "The interior is about being outside," said a juror. "The furnishings of the interior are the desert. This is the work of an accomplished architect."

Divine Detail Award - Photovoltaic Panels
The Divine Detail Award essentially honors architectural ingenuity. A jury seeks the results of a firm's fundamental architectural theory or design concept in their use of a particular material, detail or building technology. Execution must express the idea as a whole. Similar to other awards, only projects completed between January 2003 and May 2005, were eligible.

Spaces are protected from the sun by large, cantilevered roof planes composed of structural steel framing topped by photovoltaic panels. Each contains 72 thin opaque film cells laminated between two clear sheets of glass which rest on steel beams. The cells shade spaces in and around the residence while converting solar energy to power 60 percent of the home's electric load. The home received the highest attainable rating from the Scottsdale Residential Green Building program because of the photovoltaic panels. The jurors liked how the architect exploited the beauty of the photovoltaic panels to enhance the house's beauty. They also admired how the architect exploited the beauty of a product and technology. (Double winner, also received Interior Architecture Citation of Merit.)

Design Evanston Award for Excellence in Multi-Family Residential Design

Optima Views was presented with The Design Evanston award for Excellence in Multi-Family Residential Design on Friday, May 21, 2004.
Optima Inc.'s Optima Views, a winner last year for Optima Towers, won this year for its multiple family housing project on Maple Avenue at Clark Street. The jury called it "an unabashedly modern, tall, dynamic and sensitive articulation of a tower" with "colorful, well integrated balconies." They noted how the perception of this angular composition changes "as you drive around town."

American Institute of Architects Chicago honors Cloud Chaser with 2003 Design Excellence Award

Distinguished Building Award
Dramatic and serene, this desert house is thoughtfully composed with an honest use of modern materials. A walled forecourt providing entry to the glass-enclosed living space sets the stage for the integration of interior and exterior. Masses of concrete block positioned on the east and west for passive cooling contrast with nearly transparent walls to the south and long, downslope views of the surrounding desert. Textured steel sunscreens supported from the steel roof grid shade the glass and cast shadows across façade and floors. Shaded courtyards and earthen tones drawn from the desert provide a feeling of coolness and retreat.

American Institute of Architects Chicago 2002 Design Excellence Awards

Chicago Design Excellence Awards on Friday, November 12, 2002 at Navy Pier. The award winners were on exhibition at the Chicago Architectural League through January 2003.
A strong site plan confidently mixes a few 100-year-old structures within a new development of town homes and condominiums. Undulating green terraces serve to downplay indoor parking and create an undisciplined landscape that negotiates spaces between the buildings' differing aesthetic systems. "[This project] is an excellent neighbor without having to mimic the architecture of IIT," the Miesian campus across the street. Glass and aluminum towers balance smaller concrete and masonry masses in "a compelling marriage of mid-rise apartment with a town house community."

Shadow Caster 78 was also honored with a Design Excellence Award for Interior Architecture.
For a Sonoran desert home that is all core and no shell, the idea was to allow interior spaces to flow seamlessly outside. Steel beams and generous cantilevers top ground-face concrete block walls, casting shadows that pass undisturbed through glass veils of frameless walls and windows. Interior colors and finishes, in a similar way, stress unity with the surrounding landscape. Furnishings—sisal rugs, leather upholstery, and solid walnut casework—are soothing, and building materials intentionally left raw project coolness while providing a neutral setting for artwork.

Design Evanston Award for Excellence in Multi-Family Residential Design

Optima Towers was presented with The Design Evanston award for Excellence in Multi-Family Residential Design on Friday, April 25, 2003.
Adds visual interest to corner with interesting play of sky on building... animated design reflects retail and residential functions... nicely landscaped entry courtyard... scale and character contrasts nicely with adjacent building... orange balconies provocative and accentuating.

Optima Shadow Caster honored with
The American Architecture Award 2002

"The American Architecture Awards" have become the foremost, prestigious awards program for public recognition for Excellence in Architecture in the United States both nationally and internationally. The Awards identify new cutting-edge design direction, urban philosophy, design approach, style, and intellectual substance in American Architecture today.