REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The California Architectural Foundation awarded the team of DES Architects+Engineers their top recognition in the 2007 Competition of the William Turnbull Prize “Off Grid Ideas for Building a Carbon Neutral Future.” The challenge was to develop 60 acres in the Visitacion Valley neighborhood of San Francisco into a sustainable community. Competitors were asked to foster concepts that were “off grid” and showed a zero ecological footprint. Submissions were encouraged to develop a community that embraces a physical and social fabric that not only avoids harm but generates an environment in which it flourishes. Steve Mincey, CEO of DES: “What a great reward for a team that worked tirelessly nights and weekends to showcase their vision of an environmentally healthy community. We are all extremely proud of their performance.” “We employed the concept of Cascading Energy which is about creating, conserving, and sustaining energy in all its forms in a work-life setting. Wind becomes electricity. Electricity converts to social vigor when light illuminates evening events. And social vigor sustains the economy as night life nurtures local businesses," said Byron Wong speaking for the team. Team members include Candice Lui, Rico del Moral, Howard Kwok, Waibun Lee, Enoc Lira, Amy Strazzarino, Byron Wong, Chi-Wing Wong, Tracy Wong, and Ginny Yi. DES embraces sustainability not only in designs for our clients but we take it to heart ourselves by incorporating LEED in-house training and locating our office near a transit hub, providing hybrid corporate cars or using sustainable office products.
