COAR Design Group

COAR Design Group We create spaces that bring people together to encourage, protect, foster, strengthen, serve, and build community.

COAR Design Group, Previously Jeff Katz Architecture

As fire station designers, Skin Cancer Awareness Month carries real weight for us. Cancer is a leading cause of death am...
05/15/2026

As fire station designers, Skin Cancer Awareness Month carries real weight for us. Cancer is a leading cause of death among firefighters, and studies show they face a 21% greater risk of melanoma compared to the general population.

We can’t control what firefighters encounter on a call. But we can control the environment they come back to. Firefighter safety, health, and wellness aren’t checkboxes in our design process. They’re the foundation of it. By prioritizing Hot Zone Design principles, we can work to design stations that protect firefighters in their homes away from home.

To learn more, click the link in our bio.

We’re so proud to share that Elsa has been promoted to Marketing Coordinator!If you’ve worked with Elsa, you know she br...
04/27/2026

We’re so proud to share that Elsa has been promoted to Marketing Coordinator!

If you’ve worked with Elsa, you know she brings the best energy to everything she touches, from creative ideas, thoughtful ex*****on, and with a great sense of humor that makes every project just a little bit more fun. She’s the kind of teammate who jumps in without hesitation, takes on new challenges, and is always looking for opportunities to learn and grow.

Elsa makes a meaningful impact not just on the Marketing Team but on the entire COAR team. This promotion is a reflection of all the hard work she’s put in since day one.

A big congratulations to you, Elsa. We’re so excited to see you step into this new role and continue to make your mark! 🎉

04/24/2026

The bones of Maiden Coronado are taking shape… literally!

We were on-site in Coronado recently to watch the installation of Alaskan Yellow Cedar glulam beams: the sweeping structural elements that will define the restaurant’s character from the outside in. They’re load-bearing and beautiful and engineered to cantilever over a wraparound dining patio with unobstructed views of the San Diego Bay, city skyline, and Coronado Bridge.

Maiden Coronado is slated to open in 2027, bringing Southern California and Hawaiian-inspired seafood to the Ferry Landing waterfront. The vision, per CEO Brendan Huffman: “elevated yet humble” with coastal flavors, approachable dishes, and a space that actually belongs to the community.

Stay tuned for more updates, there’s lots of more progress to come!

A day well spent, grounded in community 👩‍🌾🌻In honor of , our team returned to the Community Garden in Petaluma, to he...
04/23/2026

A day well spent, grounded in community 👩‍🌾🌻

In honor of , our team returned to the Community Garden in Petaluma, to help clean up garden beds and plant fresh parsley and cabbage.

Ceres Community Project is an organization that nourishes the community through medically tailored, organic meals for individuals facing serious illness, while also empowering teens and volunteers through hands-on experiences in gardening, cooking, and community-building.

From growing fresh produce in their gardens to preparing and delivering meals, every part of their work is rooted in the belief that food can heal and that strong communities are built through care, education, and connection.

We’re grateful to be part of their mission and even more grateful to have returned for a second time to get our hands dirty in support of such meaningful work. Looking forward to coming back again soon!

04/14/2026

Meet Sam! 👋

Our first Interior Design Manager and California native through and through, Sam brings a thoughtful, people-first approach to everything she does, all guided by her life motto: BE the change.

When she’s not shaping beautiful, functional spaces, you’ll likely find her spending time with family, whether that’s heading to concerts (Shakira, anyone?), making frequent trips to Disneyland, or planning her next grand adventure. And if there’s one meal she’ll never pass up? That’s the soufflé pancakes from Morning Glory (IYKYK)

In this video, we’re getting to know Sam a little better through a quick round of this-or-that! Diving into her take on everything from sweet and salty snacks, biophilic design versus sleek industrial finishes, color palettes, and her love for open floor plans.

Safe to say her design perspective is just as fun as she is. We love having you on the team, Sam!

Bright orange & teal floors. Palm trees. Natural light. These are probably not the first things that come to mind when p...
04/08/2026

Bright orange & teal floors. Palm trees. Natural light.

These are probably not the first things that come to mind when picturing an animal shelter, and that’s exactly what set out to change.

Together, we reimagined what a shelter could look, feel, and operate like, all with the goal of helping animals find their furever homes as quickly as possible while maximizing their quality of life during their stay.

From a sawtooth habitat layout that reduces reactive barking and creates intimate one-on-one moments, to floor-to-ceiling daylighting that keeps the space warm and low-stress, every decision was made with the animals in mind. Touchscreen kiosks and wayfinding tablets give adopters instant access to each animal’s story before they even say hello, and every finish was selected for acoustic performance, durability, and cleanability, so every animal can let their true personality shine.

To learn more about how design can directly change the lives of animals and the communities that care for them, read the full story by clicking the link in our bio!

The other week, our team had the chance to volunteer for the second year in a row at , an inspiring San Diego organizati...
03/30/2026

The other week, our team had the chance to volunteer for the second year in a row at , an inspiring San Diego organization that creates a safe, supportive space for unhoused children and their families through education, access to essential resources, and community.

Beyond the classroom, Monarch School provides support through meals, school supplies, and programs like after-school tutoring and mentorship that help families navigate day-to-day challenges, all with the goal of creating stability, a sense of normalcy, and opportunity for their students.

We rolled up our sleeves to help with their monthly Farmer’s Market, a longstanding initiative where students and families can shop for fresh groceries at no cost. Through this effort, we were able to support 38 local families!

Thank you, Monarch School, for letting us be part of this incredible work! We can’t wait to come back again soon.

03/26/2026

It’s , and our team is stepping up to the plate! ⚾️ We asked the COAR team what their walk-up songs would be, and turns out we’ve got quite the lineup.

From stadium anthems to Rock & Roll classics and a few rap songs in between, our team’s music taste is full of straight hits! 😉

The renovation of Chula Vista Fire Station No. 1 has received a Renovations Notable award in the 2025 Firehouse Station ...
03/26/2026

The renovation of Chula Vista Fire Station No. 1 has received a Renovations Notable award in the 2025 Firehouse Station Design Awards.

A cornerstone of the Chula Vista community since 1948, the station’s iconic exterior has long been a landmark in the city. But at 77 years old, the interior no longer met the evolving needs of the department or the community it serves. In partnership with the City of Chula Vista, we developed a new layout to create improved living quarters and workspace for fire personnel, while preserving the historic character and details the community and department loved most, including the original 1948 fire alarm bell that still stands outside today.

The renovation made way for a more functional, modernized space: expanded apparatus bays for a new ladder truck and ambulance company, enhanced personnel facilities, and a dedicated fitness room. Exterior updates, including new stucco and roofing, extended the life of the building while maintaining design consistency across Chula Vista fire stations.

Throughout it all, the station remained fully operational. A carefully phased approach and temporary facilities ensured uninterrupted service to the Chula Vista community at all times.

To learn more about this award-winning project, click the link in our bio!

03/08/2026

This International Women’s Day, we asked the COAR team to share their favorite thing a woman has ever taught them. Words passed down from mothers, mentors, colleagues, and best friends; little pieces of wisdom that resonated, redirected, or simply lifted our spirits at just the right moment.

Today is a beautiful reminder that so much of who we are is shaped by the women who believe in us, support us, and show us the way.

To every woman who has left her mark on us: thank you. We are better for knowing you, and today we celebrate each and every one of you.

Happy International Women’s Day to the women of COAR and beyond!

Address

9640 Granite Ridge Drive, Suite 130
San Diego, CA
92123

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

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+16196989177

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