Written by Joaquim Paulo
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) announced the winners of its annual 2015 Housing Awards on Wednesday, and the designs are absolutely stunning.
The 10 breathtaking homes were selected for awards — which were established “to recognize the best in housing design and promote the importance of good housing as a necessity of life” — across three categories: one/two family custom housing, multifamily housing and special housing. There were no selections in a fourth category, one/two family production housing, this year.
Winners in the one/two family custom housing category were judged on “outstanding designs for custom and remodeled homes for specific clients. Those in the multifamily housing category were selected from a mix of public and private clients. Aesthetics, as well as “open and recreational space, transportation options and features that contribute to livable communities,” were taken into account. Lastly, winners of the specialized housing category were judged on design and meeting the “unique needs” of those living in “disabled, residential rehabilitation programs, domestic violence shelters, and other special housing.”
According to a representative for the AIA, most of the homes were completed in 2014, but firms are allowed to submit projects completed within a five year window.
1. Winner, One/Two Family Custom Housing:Studhorse; Winthrop, Washington.
2. Winner, One/Two Family Custom Housing:Bridge House; Kent, Connecticut
3. Winner, One/Two Family Custom Housing:Marlboro Music: Five Cottages; Marlboro, Vermont
4. Winner, One/Two Family Custom Housing:Old Briar; Lauderdale County, Tennessee
5. Winner, Multifamily Living:Bayview Hill Gardens; San Francisco, California
6. Winner, Multifamily Living:Broadway Affordable Housing; Santa Monica, California
7. Winner, Multifamily Living:The North Parker; San Diego, California
8. Winner, Specialized Housing:160 Massachusetts Avenue Tower, Berklee College of Music; Boston, Massachusetts
9. Winner, Specialized Housing:John C. Anderson Apartments (JCAA); Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
10. Winner, Specialized Housing:La Casa Permanent Supportive Housing; Washington, D.C.