Manny Gonzalez, FAIA Inducted to Best in American Living Awards Hall of Fame
LOS ANGELES – The National Association of Home Builders has recently announced the induction of Manny Gonzalez, FAIA into the Hall of Fame at the Best in American Living Awards ceremony. The event took place during the International Builders’ Show on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Established in 2008, the Hall of Fame program honors thought leaders in the housing industry who have significantly influenced residential design and construction. Over the past 15 years, the BALA Hall of Fame has welcomed 48 visionaries who have pushed the boundaries of residential design, altering the trajectory of housing. Gonzalez joins recent inductees, including Mike Woodley, AIA, and David Baker, FAIA as well as other industry legends such as Berry Berkus, FAIA, Walt Richardson, FAIA, and Art Danielian, FAIA.
Expressing his gratitude, Gonzalez stated, “I have always had a passion for designing homes that residents would love, from affordable apartments and starter homes to luxury active adult communities and assisted living. To be included in such prestigious company for simply doing what I enjoy is an overwhelming honor.”
Gonzalez, the founder and president of Lifestyle Design Consulting, LLC, has been instrumental in creating vibrant residential communities across the country. He established this consulting practice after parting ways with KTGY, where he spent nearly 22 years overseeing the design, land planning, and production of various residential developments throughout the United States, spanning market rate, affordable and active adult multifamily residences, as well as mixed-use developments. During his time at KTGY, Gonzalez was instrumental in the growth of the firm, initiating the establishment of new offices in Los Angeles, Denver and Tysons.
His career commenced at Johannes Van Tilburg & Partners, now VTBS Architects. Within a year, he became a partner and served in that capacity for another 11 years. In 1993, he joined Kaufman & Broad (now KB Home) designing homes and affordable apartments both domestically and internationally, including Paris, France. While at KB, Gonzalez was the architect for Habitat for Humanity’s Jimmy Carter Work Project in Watts, building 21 homes in 21 days.
Gonzalez continued with his charitable work while at KTGY, designing three ABC Green Homes that Habitat for Humanity built for the families of wounded veterans. He was also the architect for the Gary Sinise Foundation Specially Adapted Smart Home. Gonzalez led the effort to renovate Hope Gardens for the Union Rescue Mission and rebuild the San Fernando Rescue Mission after their fire. He went on to be a part of the Rebuild Together New Orleans program with NAHB following Hurricane Katrina. This passion for giving back earned him the inaugural Building Industry Association’s TED Humanitarian Award.
In 2016, Gonzalez was elected to The College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects. His Fellowship recognition acknowledges not only his individual architectural achievements but also his significant contributions to national architecture and society. BUILDER magazine also honored Gonzalez in 2015, inducting him into the prestigious Marvin Hall of Fame for Design Excellence due to his remarkable residential design legacy.
With over 40 years in residential development practice, Gonzalez has received numerous other awards for his innovative designs, including Gold Nugget, Best in American Living and Pillars of Industry awards. He notably secured the LEED for Homes Multifamily Project of the Year Award for the Platinum Certified community of Primera Terra in Playa Vista, California. Gonzalez has earned 28 NAHB Best of 55+ Housing Gold Awards, totaling 44 overall, including four Innovation Awards. His contributions were further recognized when he received the NAHB’s inaugural “55+ Associate of the Year” at the 2016 International Builders’ Show (IBS). Gonzalez provided his design expertise for showcase homes at the 2019 IBS and 2016 Greenbuild Conference, pushing the boundaries of efficiency, sustainability, health and well-being.
Furthermore, Gonzalez recently served as vice chair of the Urban Land Institute Lifestyle Residential Development Council and a member of NAHB’s Multifamily Leadership Board. He has authored and contributed to scores of articles on residential design and previously chaired the Editorial Advisory Board (EAB) for 55+ Housing online magazine, in addition to being an EAB member for Builder & Developer magazine. Gonzalez has presented his observations and case studies at local, regional and national conferences as well as at the 1st International Housing Conference of the Americas in Mexico City. He was also invited to speak at the International Symposium of Design of Senior Living in Qingdao, China.
In 2020, Gonzalez triumphed over Multiple Myeloma allowing him to attend his 50th class reunion at Loyola High School, the oldest continuously run educational institution in Southern California. He holds a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Master of Architecture from the University of Southern California (USC). An eighth-generation native of Los Angeles, Gonzalez, when not engrossed in new designs, enjoys traveling with his wife, painting, golfing, fly-fishing, and spending time with his grandchildren.
About Lifestyle Design Consulting, LLC
Lifestyle Design Consulting, LLC offers conceptual design services to create innovative floor plans, site plans, and amenity centers. With projects spanning from California to Virginia and Indiana and Texas, LDC transforms market research into award-winning communities. For further information, contact Manny Gonzalez, FAIA, at mannygonzalezfaia@gmail.com
