When you think of an animal shelter, what comes to mind? What are the sounds – the smells? Is it dark or crowded? You probably aren’t imagining bright orange and teal floors, palm trees, and natural light. At least, not yet. Together, San Diego Humane Society and COAR Design Group are redefining what it means to be an animal shelter.

February 13, 2024 was the official grand opening of the San Diego Humane Society’s newly remodeled Adoptions Center!

Jeff and Laurie Katz met Maple while Volunteering at Family Dog Rescue in Sonoma, CA. Jeff turned to the COAR team to see if anyone could provide Maple with a loving home!

The Loma Verde Aquatic Center in the City of Chula Vista is now open and ready for you to jump in!

Meet Jovan Blake, a designer here at COAR and a San Francisco Firefighter!

Each year brings innovations in technology and updates to best station design practices. Coupled with regular wear and tear from daily use, it is inevitable that existing fire stations eventually become outdated. With time, aging fire stations bring up the question: Should you renovate an outdated fire station or to rebuild a new fire station in its place?

City and community members gathered on Friday, July 21, 2023, to officially break ground and kick off the Santa Rosa Fire Station No. 5 Resiliency and Relocation Project.

Last week, the City of Long Beach celebrated the official opening of the new Junior Lifeguard Facility, designed by COAR Design Group.

Last year we entered a new chapter as we re-branded from Jeff Katz Architecture (JKA) to COAR Design Group. Let’s take a look at some of the highlights from our first year as COAR!

Station Design Conference is an annual event which connects public safety officials, fire chiefs, and police chiefs, with architects, designers, engineers, and specialty vendors who specialize in fire station and law enforcement design.

In the last 30 years as JKA (Jeff Katz Architecture) we have been fortunate to work with great clients, consultants, contractors, partners, and staff that have allowed us to be involved with so many fulfilling projects.  

The Mickey Cafagna Community Center grand opening celebrated the new multi-use facility that will serve a wide variety of activities for the community of Poway.

The new Coastside Fire Station 41 replaces a 50-year-old building and has come to fruition after six years of planning and construction.

Coar Design Group (formerly Jeff Katz Architecture) was recognized with 2 awards from this year’s Firehouse Magazine Station Design Awards Competition.

Our firm was retained by the Port of Long Beach for the design of a new, LEED Gold, Fire Boat Station to accommodate the need for additional fire protection.

Jeff Katz Architecture (JKA) has acquired Glass Architects in Santa Rosa, CA to enhance our architectural services throughout California and the Southwestern United States.

Janet Wilmoth Reached out to two Award-winning Architects to Learn the Latest on Technical Wiring in Public Safety Facilities.

Firehouse Magazine announces winners of annual Station Design Awards program, recognizing outstanding architecture & design from fire departments nationwide.

The Design-Build Institute of America has awarded the San Diego County Fire Station 44 a National Merit Award.

San Diego Humane Society is celebrates the grand opening of their new Behavior Center, a state-of-the-art facility now home to one of their most unique lifesaving programs.