The multi-talented design firm was founded by Johannes Van Tilburg, FAIA, Navy F. Banvard, FAIA, and L. Gustaf Soderbergh, AIA, LEED AP. All are former partners of Johannes Van Tilburg & Partners, a firm founded by Van Tilburg in 1971. Since the founding of the firm two satellite offices have been opened and thrive in San Jose, CA and Denver, CO.
With its diverse residential and commercial portfolio, VTBS is one of the most accomplished and recognized residential architects in the nation with tens of thousands of units designed for the Los Angeles Basin. It currently has dozens of residential and mixed-use projects totaling several thousand units in various stages of design, approval and construction.
A strong focus of the firm for many years has been infill and mixed-use projects. VTBS believes these projects hold great promise for inner-city and other urban areas where redevelopment sites offer the possibility of mixed housing typologies, sometimes with neighborhood-serving retail and commercial development, many of which are often transit-oriented. While the possibilities for these types of projects are tremendous, the environmental and political challenges can be significant. VTBS has an excellent record of successfully obtaining the most difficult of entitlements for these and all project types.
VTBS is committed to the preservation of natural resources with its focus on sustainable design. More than one third of its professional staff are LEED Accredited Professionals and on each project VTBS can achieve the level of sustainable design that its clients desire. In the area of sustainable design, VTBS views its role as advisors, offering ideas and concepts to clients from which they can make an informed decision as to which elements are to be incorporated in the project.
VTBS’ experience with multi-use project typologies and solutions is broad. Its multi-family experience includes walk-up style garden apartments, three and four story ‘wrap-around’ projects with free-standing parking structures, three to eight story mid-rise podium projects both in wood frame and concrete, and high-rise apartments and condominiums.
These examples range from thirty to more than two-hundred units per acre. The firm’s projects have targeted a wide range of social and affordability categories including market-rate and upscale projects at many price points, as well as affordable, student housing communities and all components of ‘extended living’ housing including independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing facilities and memory care.
Recognized formally through a wide array of professional, community and industry commendations, VTBS has received awards from the American Institute of Architects; and from cities, counties and Chambers of Commerce throughout California and Colorado. In addition, design awards have been received from several professional builder organizations such as the Pacific Coast Builders Conference Gold Nugget Awards, The National Association of Homebuilders, the American Planning Association, and the National Commercial Business Council.
A further testament to VTBS’ design ability and technical competence is the fact that vast majority of its work comes from satisfied repeat developer clients.
Many projects are often transit-oriented which opens up multiple opportunities and benefits. VTBS has designed over 62 transit-oriented projects throughout the greater Los Angeles area, providing opportune housing within walking distance of public transportation.
The design philosophy is simple: Van Tilburg, Banvard & Soderbergh, AIA will bring something unique and special to every project it designs. This goal is consistent from the most budget-conscious affordable housing project to major mixed-use and commercial developments that strive to make a statement for a particular client. VTBS believes firmly that its services are a vehicle to help clients achieve their project goals.
Learn more at vtbs.com.
