What makes a residence award-winning? The American Institute of Architects just recognized 12 exceptional residential designs with its 2019 Housing Awards, something the 162-year-old, 94,000-member association has been doing since 2000.
These awards are given for what a jury of architectural professionals sees as demonstrating design excellence, but also honoring sustainability, durability, innovation, social impact, affordability and other factors that make the home ideal for the client. These are features most people desire when building a new home for themselves.
Here are three of this year’s winners, with diverse and worthwhile ideas worth building into your own projects.
Off-Grid Guesthouse
Architects: Anacapa, Willson Design
Location: Central Coast California
Category: One- and Two-Family Custom Residences
This sustainable guest house lives lightly in its natural surroundings.
Eric Feinblatt
Description Excerpt:
Located on one of the last remaining undeveloped coastal areas in California, this modern guesthouse resides on a wildlife preserve, exemplifying a successful balance of residential development and ecological preservation. Nestled into a steep hillside, the residence was designed with low visual and environmental impact on the surrounding landscape. The home invites sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and surrounding hills through a generous amount of sliding glass and expansive decks.
The guesthouse is completely off-grid, powered by a photo voltaic energy system. The home features LED lighting, low-usage appliances, a private well and water treatment system. An elemental material palette of steel, concrete and glass integrate seamlessly with the landscape and will weather naturally over time.
Adornment is unnecessary with views like these.
Eric Feinblatt
Takeaways:
It is possible to build in nature, and still be respectful and sensitive to its needs. The use of solar power, LED lighting and energy-saving appliances are all helpful in minimizing the home’s carbon footprint. Its visual profile is also minimized relative to its site, letting the natural elements take center stage, rather than the architecture.
Oak Park Housing
Architect: Johnsen Schmaling Architects
Location: Sacramento
Category: One- and Two-Family Production Homes
You can create affordable, urban housing that’s fun and friendly for its new families.
Johnsen Schmaling Architects
Description Excerpt:
Oak Park Housing is a compact infill development on a long-vacant lot in Sacramento’s Oak Park district. The project, a dense cluster of six single family homes, is a harbinger of Oak Park’s urban revitalization, its architecture cheerfully embracing the creative and buoyant energy that has propelled the ongoing renaissance of this culturally diverse community. The houses are simple, two-story volumes, their appearance crisp but deliberately playful in a nod to the progressive spirit permeating the neighborhood. The buildings’ south facades transform into fields of vertical metal louvers that act as sunscreen. The louvers’ colors complement the homes’ otherwise neutral, muted tones and murals nearby.
This compact home welcomes a family with clean, modern interiors.
Johnsen Schmaling Architects
Takeaways:
Affordable urban housing doesn’t have to be dreary. Here the buildings pay homage to the creative energy of the neighborhood and brighten the lives of their occupants. This spirit is portable to many neighborhoods and cities.
Tiny Tower
Architect: ISA
Location: Philadelphia
Category: One- and Two-Family Production Homes
This project makes the most of its tiny lot.
Sam Oberter
Description Excerpt:
Although it measures only 38 feet in height, Tiny Tower is organized like a full-scale skyscraper. An expanded section that maximizes height under the zoning code as well as depth of foundation creates six levels of usable space. The design promotes vertical living for both indoor and outdoor space, occupying the entire footprint of the site in the required setbacks with a lower level window garden, a second level walk out terrace, and a roof deck. Tiny Tower demonstrates how small scale can feel large in amenity and experience.
Ample natural light and simple, light finishes make the space feel larger.
Sam Oberter
Takeaways:
You don’t need a large lot to live large. With savvy use of vertical space, light and simple finishes and ample natural light, the architect gives the client a bright, airy livable home.