MASTER PLANNING & COMMUNITY DESIGN

We offer experienced and sensitive Master Planning and Community Design services for a wide range of scales and development types. Manzanita Village [above center] is a 12 acre master planned CoHousing Community designed by principal Jeffrey L. Zucker, AIA-- the first of its kind in Arizona. The 36 lot development features water harvesting, organic gardens, and photovoltaic energy generation.

Our large-scale master planning experience was gained through the offices of 1987 Firm of the Year- Benjamin Thompson & Associates (BTA). From 1986 to 1990, Matthew B. Ackerman, AIA led team members on numerous master planning assignments including a 900 acre master plan development for Savannah Harbor [above left], and a 1.5 million sq. ft. high density mixed-use development for Westwood, California [above right].

Introducing AZUR-Ecotecture

In response to international requests for sustainable design solutions as applied to tall building design and urban masterplanning projects, CATALYST Partners Jeff Zucker and Matt Ackerman have teamed up with former Ben Thompson colleague, Yves Rathle of StudioYves, and Arcosanti creator and mentor, Dr. Paolo Soleri– to create AZUR-Ecotecture.

AZUR means beyond green, and that's what AZUR- Ecotecture is all about.  From Biomimicry, to Eco-Logical Placemaking, to Less-Than-Zero Energy Deisgn, AZUR was created to define the leading edge of sustainability, domestically and abroad.

AZUR-Ecotecture is the Masterplanning and Large-Scale Projects division of CATALYST, which is now poised to provide cutting edge, sustainable project design and planning services throughout the US, the Middle East, and beyond...

Click here for the new AZUR-Ecotecture website!