By Carolyn Weber, Matthew Power, and Nigel F. Maynard From clusters to duplexes to multifamily to infill, the common thread among this year's 59 winners is high density. Rather than eat up scarce and expensive land with big lots, builders and architects teamed up to create clever solutions to concentrate housing and conserve open space. Land planners and landscape architects are also integral to making tightly configured projects pleasant to live in and look at with ample parking and private outdoor spaces.
In both the custom and production categories, the era of blown-out volume is over--continuing the conservation-of-space theme. Winners were rewarded for thoughtful, efficient plans, the use of lower plate lines to create more intimate scales, and restrained elevations with personality and authenticity.
In response to the country's changing demographics, migration patterns, and family structures, the industry has diversified. In the past few years, the Builder's Choice niche list has grown considerably with the addition of categories for lofts, clusters, infill, and active adult.
With so many markets, housing types, and planning designs, choosing just one entry to represent the year was difficult. So with two fabulous but entirely different projects in contention, the judging panel christened a new tradition in this decades-old contest. Beginning with 2002, there will be a Home of the Year as well as a Project of the Year.
Project of the Year: The SentinelsHome of the Year: Gallegos ResidenceGrand Award: Edgehill TownhomesGrand Award: The New Craftsman ResidenceGrand Award: Loyola VillageGrand Award: Meyers Park City HomesGrand Award: Vintage Sonoma, Country CottageGrand Award: Abernethy ResidenceGrand Award: Chiricahua VillasGrand Award: Tenley Hill CondominiumsGrand Award: The Florida Brewing Co.Grand Award: Farralon Ridge, Residence OneGrand Award: The PinehillsGrand Award: Sailhouse, Carriage UnitGrand Award: Firenze at GrayhawkGrand Award: Iron Horse Lofts/Coggins Square Affordable ApartmentsGrand Award: Falling Leaf LodgeGrand Award: Talega GalleryGrand Award: Streetcar Lofts CondominiumsGrand Award: The Vineyards at WestchaseMerit Award: Abad ResidenceMerit Award: Post Gateway PlaceMerit Award: Slough Cove CompoundMerit Award: Maravu, Jacaranda PlanMerit Award: Austin Shoal Creek, Post West AvenueMerit Award: Waterfront at Beacon Hill, The BelaireMerit Award: The Village at Hiddenbrooke, Residence 2 (The Everett)Merit Award: The Lofts at 2424Merit Award: Colt Residence, Guest House and OutbuildingsMerit Award: Davidson at Cielo, McGre ResidenceMerit Award: Keating Residence, Pool PavilionMerit Award: Belle Creek, Monroe PlanMerit Award: Kinzie ParkMerit Award: Summit Grotto CondominiumsMerit Award: The Ice House Artist's StudioMerit Award: Pacific PlaceMerit Award: Keewaydin Island LodgeMerit Award: AldeaMerit Award: The Plaza at ArboretumMerit Award: Marriott Brighton Gardens Assisted LivingMerit Award: City WalkSpecial Focus AwardsMeet the Builder's Choice Judges