December 15, 2009 12:00 ET

Koning Eizenberg Architecture Continues to Make a Difference in California Communities as the 2009 AIACC Firm Award Recipient

SACRAMENTO, CA--(Marketwire - December 15, 2009) - Koning Eizenberg Architecture was established in 1981 by Hank Koning, FAIA, FRAIA, and Julie Eizenberg, AIA, with Brian Lane assuming a managing principal role in 2003. The roots of this influential practice began in affordable housing and small design/build projects, with the discipline of tight budgets and hands on pragmatism which established the character of the firm.

The firm appeals to clients and institutions interested in optimizing and rethinking opportunities rather than accepting the status quo. The firm has received more than 60 design awards during its 27 years of practice. Hank Koning serves as a Planning Commissioner in the City of Santa Monica; Brian Lane serves on the Hollywood land design review board and assists the City of LA in development of multi-unit housing incentives. Julie Eizenberg teaches and lectures internationally, and is often an advisor to the Mayors Institute on city design, and currently serves as a director of the Los Angeles Chapter of the AIA.

The Koning Eizenberg team is best known for its contribution to under-recognized building types which include affordable housing, community places, and educational facilities. The firm has consistently demonstrated an ability to infuse mainstream construction culture with strategic design invention that parlays sustainability into groundbreaking community projects.

In Julie Eizenberg's recent book, Architecture isn't just for special occasions, she addresses key values for architecture which include building trust to communicate, as well as creating ease in which to empower and elevate the idea of fit beyond conformity, to create the extra-ordinary. These values continue to guide the firm as it embarks on future projects.

Two new projects the firm is in the process of completing include the Children's Institute, Inc. in Westlake Village Los Angeles, CA and The John Adams Middle School in Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District.

The Children's Institute, Otis Booth Campus, is a 47,000 square foot project that entails adaptive reuse of two warehouse buildings. Within tight budget constraints, an innovative design approach creates a supportive community setting to provide services for children affected by violence, abuse and trauma.

Program spaces include pre-school, therapy rooms, a family learning center, and large multipurpose spaces for community use. When the project is complete it will provide much needed service to this LA neighborhood.

The John Adams Middle School is a master plan comprising rehabilitation and new construction which includes three new classroom wings, and administrative area. New landscaped commons and teaching courtyards link these new sections to unify the campus. The many sustainable features in this design provide double-duty, not only as expressed in the architecture, but as an educational tool of sustainability for the students.

The AIACC congratulates Koning, Eizenberg for all of their many impressive accomplishments. For more information, visit the Koning Eizenberg website at www.kearch.com or visit The AIACC website at www.aiacc.org and click on the "Widget."

The AIACC represents the interests of more than 11,000 architects and allied professionals in California. Founded in 1944, The AIACC's mission supports architects in their endeavors to improve the quality of life for all Californians by creating more livable communities, sustainable designs and quality work environments. Today, The AIACC is the largest component of the national AIA organization. For more information, visit www.aiacc.org.