In this Landscape Forms feature, HKIT-designed affordable and supportive housing project Monroe Commons is presented as a thoughtfully designed outdoor space that brings people together through placemaking, comfort, and community-centered design. The story also highlights the people behind the work, including Landscape Architect Karen Krolewski, and offers a closer look at how intentional site elements can shape the experience of a public environment. Follow the link to read more!
Environments for Aging recognized Belmont Village San Ramon with an Honorable Mention in its 2026 Design Showcase awards program, highlighting the project among the nation’s leading examples of innovation in senior living design. The Design Showcase celebrates excellence in architecture and interiors that enhance quality of life for aging populations, with winners selected by a jury of industry experts across criteria such as innovation, collaboration, and resident experience. Belmont Village San Ramon stands out for its hospitality-forward approach, thoughtfully blending indoor and outdoor environments through features like a central courtyard, expansive glazing, and materials that reflect the surrounding San Ramon Valley landscape. Congratulations to Belmont Village Senior Living on this well-deserved recognition!
We are thrilled to announce that two of our projects received recognition in the 2025 Senior Housing News Awards! Belmont Village San Ramon received third place in the assisted living category and Morgan Hill Senior Housing received third place in the affordable housing category. Both projects are examples of distinct models of care for senior living, ultimately delivering welcoming places to safely age in place with dignity and grace. Thank you to Senior Housing News for the recognition and a bigger thank you to our wonderful clients Belmont Village Senior Living and Beacon Development Group for the wonderful partnerships in the design of meaningful homes for seniors.
We are thrilled to share that Enso Village received PCBC’s 2025 Gold Nugget Grand Award for Best Age Qualified Senior Living Community!
Enso Village is located among rolling hills of Healdsburg, California, in the heart of Sonoma’s wine country. The property is sited to take advantage of its pastoral environment surrounded by gently sloping hills, vineyards, and woodlands with two miles of tranquil walking paths connecting the community’s indoor and outdoor spaces. The independent living, assisted living, memory care residences, and abundance of common areas support a vision of mindful aging in place and healthy life choices. This unique project was a wonderful collaboration with Enso Village, the San Francisco Zen Center, and our design partners Mithun Design, Perkins Eastman, and The Weitz Company.
Thank you to PCBC for this recognition – we are honored to receive this award. Congratulations to all Gold Nugget award recipients!
Since joining HKIT in 2021, Sam has successfully managed a select number of the firm’s affordable housing projects, partnering with clients and builders to develop thoughtfully designed and sustainable places to live. Principal, Paul McElwee notes, “Sam has demonstrated a commitment to exceptional client and project management, as well as strong leadership capabilities as the facilitator of the firm’s quarterly Housing Studio Forum. With a background and experience in alternative project delivery methods, we look forward to his on-going contributions to the firm’s capabilities.”
Yanina has been with the firm for five years and has proven to be particularly crucial to the firm’s technological advancements in building information modeling. As an Autodesk Certified Revit Professional, she is a leading member of the firm’s Revit committee, sharing her technical knowledge and best practices with the design staff. As a designer, she has worked on senior living, affordable housing, and educational facility projects. “We applaud Yanina for her initiative and guidance in the firm’s evolving technological capabilities. Along with her technical expertise, she has demonstrated outstanding leadership, successfully managing several senior living projects from design through permitting and construction. Her dedication to quality and collaboration has made a lasting impact on our team and the communities we serve,” notes principal, Christophe Laverne.
Congratulations to Sam and Yanina on their well-earned promotions!
We are delighted to announce that FOUR of our projects have received Awards of Merit in PCBC’s 2025 Gold Nugget Awards program! The Adult Education and District Office Building at Jefferson Union High School District has been recognized in the Best Educational Project category, while Foon Lok East at Brooklyn Basin has received an award in the category of Best Affordable Housing Community 100 du/acre or more. Two of our senior living projects, Belmont Village San Ramon and Enso Village have been recognized in the categories of Best Service Enriched 55+ Community IL/AL/Memory Care and Best Age Qualified Senior Living Community, respectively.
Thank you to Pacific Coast Builders’ Conference (PCBC) for this recognition, and congratulations to our clients and talented design partners on these amazing projects.
Enso Village has been named a finalist in Environments for Aging’s 29th annual Design Showcase! The Showcase is a vibrant compilation of architecture and interior design projects in senior care facilities. The community is America’s first Zen-inspired life plan community, offering an innovative approach to aging mindfully. The community is located on a 16-acre campus set among rolling hills of Healdsburg in the heart of Sonoma’s wine country. The property is sited to take advantage of its pastoral environment surrounded by gently sloping hills, vineyards, and woodlands with two miles of tranquil walking paths connecting the community’s indoor and outdoor spaces.
Principal, Christophe Laverne, will be a panelist on two separate sessions: “High Tech Low Profile: Designing Zen Inspirational Living” and “Smart Senior Living 2.0”. The sessions will focus on the design and implementation of low voltage technology and smart technology, respectively, as applied to senior care settings. Using the recently completed Enso Village in Healdsburg, California as a case study, Christophe will share the ins and outs of designing technology to support resident care.
The 81-unit affordable senior community in Morgan Hill has been certified GreenPoint Platinum! Originally targeted for Gold rating, the all-electric development achieved Platinum status through the hard work of the design team, client, general contractor, and the sustainability/code consultant. The project features sustainable measures including rooftop photovoltaics, electric vehicle parking, and drought-tolerant landscape.
Two of our projects received merit awards in PCBC’s 2024 Gold Nugget Awards! Elegance Berkeley in the Best Service Enriched 55+ Community – IL/AL/Memory Care category and Monroe Commons in the category of Best Affordable Housing Community Under 30 du/acre.
Thank you to PCBC for this recognition, and congratulations to our amazing clients, our talented project teams, and design partners who brought these special projects to life!
