Looking back, it wasn’t the best year on the books. Anxieties raged, inventory fell stagnant, housing starts slowed to a trickle, and our retirement savings took a direct hit. But here’s some good news: design ingenuity didn’t suffer much. In fact, the opposite is true. BUILDER found no shortage of fascinating projects to cover in 2008, and most of them offered up a whole lot more than just pretty architecture. We were honored to chronicle some downright ingenious solutions in the way of energy efficiency, waste reduction, small lot infill development, affordable housing, adaptive reuse, next generation building materials, and walkable neighborhoods. Here are ten of our favorites in pictures.



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NEW SUBURBIASwarzenreader HausWinchester, VA

Ten Coolest Projects of 2008

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Ten Coolest Projects of 2008

  • NEW SUBURBIASwarzenreader HausWinchester, VA

    NEW SUBURBIASwarzenreader HausWinchester, VA

    http://www.builderonline.com/Images/d71ec35f-6f81-4dfa-88e7-492cba7db636_tcm10-424415.jpg

    NEW SUBURBIASwarzenreader HausWinchester, VA

    300

    Photo: Hoachlander Davis

    This 1968 tract house underwent a serious makeover, yet still complements the neighborhood and maintains a respectful scale.Architect: Reader SwartzBuilder: David L. Goode

  • NEW SUBURBIASwarzenreader HausWinchester, VA

    NEW SUBURBIASwarzenreader HausWinchester, VA

    http://www.builderonline.com/Images/31114a01-11d2-4370-9999-7e3764db9399_tcm10-424420.jpg

    NEW SUBURBIASwarzenreader HausWinchester, VA

    300

    Photo: Hoachlander Davis

    The existing studs and gable ends of the home's south elevation were stripped and repurposed to form a wall of exposed bookshelves.Architect: Reader SwartzBuilder: David L. Goode

  • COOL REUSEIce House LoftsTucson, AZ

    COOL REUSEIce House LoftsTucson, AZ

    http://www.builderonline.com/Images/9c24f37b-915f-4425-a08c-f00f3faa6bef_tcm10-424422.jpg

    COOL REUSEIce House LoftsTucson, AZ

    300

    Photo: Brad Wheeler

    What do you do with a brick and concrete building the length of a football field in the middle of the Sonoran desert? This former ice and cold storage facility (built in 1923) now houses 48 industrial-style lofts. Architect: Rob Paulus Architect Contractor: Caliber West Developer: Deep Freeze Development

  • COOL REUSEIce House LoftsTucson, AZ

    COOL REUSEIce House LoftsTucson, AZ

    http://www.builderonline.com/Images/53b0c193-85b8-4b7b-a156-9119b5bddc8d_tcm10-424425.jpg

    COOL REUSEIce House LoftsTucson, AZ

    300

    Photo: Brad Wheeler

    Exposed brick, massive wood beams, and riveted steel trusses give the interiors a garage vibe. The adaptive reuse of these and other materials kept 1,240 tons of concrete and 777 tons of brick out of the landfill. Architect/Interior Designer: Rob Paulus Architect Contractor: Caliber West Developer: Deep Freeze Development

  • PERFECT FITForgan ResidenceSan Francisco, CA

    PERFECT FITForgan ResidenceSan Francisco, CA

    http://www.builderonline.com/Images/121dd64e-e025-40e1-a8e6-fc44841586b7_tcm10-424428.jpg

    PERFECT FITForgan ResidenceSan Francisco, CA

    300

    Photo: Cody Andresen

    Talk about inspired infill. The challenge here was a 25-foot-wide-by-42-foot-deep lot with a steep slope in back. Architect: Strachan Forgan Builder: Bradford Construction

  • PERFECT FITForgan ResidenceSan Francisco

    PERFECT FITForgan ResidenceSan Francisco

    http://www.builderonline.com/Images/35aa22e5-7d08-459c-9373-df72d4cdeef0_tcm10-424430.jpg

    PERFECT FITForgan ResidenceSan Francisco

    300

    Photo: Cody Andresen

    The kitchen in this four-story residence is on the second floor. It opens onto a secluded outdoor space carved into the hillside in back. Architect: Strachan Forgan Builder: Bradford Construction

  • RAW BEAUTYGreenfield ResidenceLos Angeles, CA

    RAW BEAUTYGreenfield ResidenceLos Angeles, CA

    http://www.builderonline.com/Images/8f3e0417-6e27-4853-b0a4-87ec4f122a11_tcm10-424433.jpg

    RAW BEAUTYGreenfield ResidenceLos Angeles, CA

    300

    Photo courtesy MINARC

    This modern, eco-minded house keeps things simple, using no chemicals, carpets, tiles or paint. Fun features include floating blue silicon stair treads, recycled rubber sinks... Architect: MINARC Builder: Lannen Construction

  • RAW BEAUTYGreenfield ResidenceLos Angeles, CA

    RAW BEAUTYGreenfield ResidenceLos Angeles, CA

    http://www.builderonline.com/Images/fd5f3478-4fd9-4fe8-b095-dd57cf2451a0_tcm10-424437.jpg

    RAW BEAUTYGreenfield ResidenceLos Angeles, CA

    300

    Photo courtesy MINARC

    ...and a kitchen island made of recycled tires wrapped in orange Corian, with hideaway bar stools. Architect: MINARC Builder: Lannen Construction

  • NATURAL LOOKDuGoff Bor ResidenceChevy Chase, MD

    NATURAL LOOKDuGoff Bor ResidenceChevy Chase, MD

    http://www.builderonline.com/Images/f6c91b1d-82bc-425a-a8f6-e7801a1b223f_tcm10-424440.jpg

    NATURAL LOOKDuGoff Bor ResidenceChevy Chase, MD

    300

    Photo: Ken Wyner

    Built on a teardown lot in an old growth neighborhood, this handsome, 3,800-square-foot Prairie-style home maintains a low profile. Architect: GTM Architects Builder: Ebner Construction General contractor: homeowners

  • NATURAL LOOKDuGoff Bor ResidenceChevy Chase, MD

    NATURAL LOOKDuGoff Bor ResidenceChevy Chase, MD

    http://www.builderonline.com/Images/6e61de98-bb8c-4b88-bb17-eaa49d7f608a_tcm10-424443.jpg

    NATURAL LOOKDuGoff Bor ResidenceChevy Chase, MD

    300

    Photo: Ken Wyner

    Inside, horizontal runs of cherry trim span walls and wrap corners, creating a continuous flow from one room to the next. Architect: GTM Architects Builder: Ebner Construction General contractor: homeowners

  • MODULAR. REALLY.Tucker BayouWater Sound, FL

    MODULAR. REALLY.Tucker BayouWater Sound, FL

    http://www.builderonline.com/Images/2efd9a27-9bcf-4bec-aaed-ed439d9590f2_tcm10-424445.jpg

    MODULAR. REALLY.Tucker BayouWater Sound, FL

    300

    Photo: Jack Gardner Photography

    With its crisp millwork and reclaimed wood plank floors, you might not guess this is a modular house that arrived on site 80 percent complete, ready to be stitched up. Architect/interior designer: Looney Ricks Kiss Builder: Haven Custom Homes Developer: The St. Joe Company

  • MODULAR. REALLY.Tucker BayouWater Sound, FL

    MODULAR. REALLY.Tucker BayouWater Sound, FL

    http://www.builderonline.com/Images/23645bcf-d37b-4382-8e2d-7b99fa78ba0f_tcm10-424447.jpg

    MODULAR. REALLY.Tucker BayouWater Sound, FL

    300

    Photo: Jack Gardner Photography

    Designed with empty nesters in mind, the plan includes generous display shelving for art and collectibles, built-in bunks for grandchildren, and plenty of natural light. Architect/interior designer: Looney Ricks Kiss Builder: Haven Custom Homes Developer: The St. Joe Company

  • SURPRISE INSIDEMorgan SquareFremont, CA

    SURPRISE INSIDEMorgan SquareFremont, CA

    http://www.builderonline.com/Images/7a96cbdb-dbe0-4cfc-a2af-f9b03221196a_tcm10-424450.jpg

    SURPRISE INSIDEMorgan SquareFremont, CA

    300

    Photo: Jeffrey Aron Photography

    On the outside, this compact house looks like a modest, two-story residence. Builder/Developer: SummerHill Homes Architect: Dahlin Group

  • SURPRISE INSIDEMorgan SquareFremont, CA

    SURPRISE INSIDEMorgan SquareFremont, CA

    http://www.builderonline.com/Images/b3f88ab2-9ef2-4cc6-a3f0-cf58aca63382_tcm10-424454.jpg

    SURPRISE INSIDEMorgan SquareFremont, CA

    300

    Photo: Jeffrey Aron Photography

    Inside, however, it's actually three floors tall, with a large master suite tucked under the roof structure. The second level kitchen, family and dining zones feel equally roomy, thanks to oversized picture windows. Builder/Developer: SummerHill Homes Architect: Dahlin Group

  • MISSION IMPOSSIBLECrescent CoveSan Francisco, CA

    MISSION IMPOSSIBLECrescent CoveSan Francisco, CA

    http://www.builderonline.com/Images/69504fe9-1a78-45a1-8647-e1a9ba540f0b_tcm10-424458.jpg

    MISSION IMPOSSIBLECrescent CoveSan Francisco, CA

    300

    Photo: Steve Proehl

    Wedged between commuter rail tracks and an elevated freeway, this unwanted patch of land was noisy, odd-shaped, and in serious need of brownfield remediation. Architect: David Baker + Partners Builder: Nibbi Brothers Developer: The Related Companies of California

  • MISSION IMPOSSIBLECrescent CoveSan Francisco

    MISSION IMPOSSIBLECrescent CoveSan Francisco

    http://www.builderonline.com/Images/b7aafd46-a349-4197-96df-b928dc79d7de_tcm10-424462.jpg

    MISSION IMPOSSIBLECrescent CoveSan Francisco

    300

    Photo: Steve Proehl

    Now it's home to an artful blend of affordable housing units with landscaped courtyards between the buildings. Architect: David Baker + Partners Builder: Nibbi Brothers Developer: The Related Companies of California

  • ECO URBANMosler LoftsSeattle, WA

    ECO URBANMosler LoftsSeattle, WA

    http://www.builderonline.com/Images/e5f30fe4-0202-4ca1-bba8-34964d8b876b_tcm10-424463.jpg

    ECO URBANMosler LoftsSeattle, WA

    300

    Photo: Benjamin Benschneider

    Located within walking distance of shops, food, culture, and mass transit, this LEED-silver project makes it easy to live car-free. The building stacks 150 stylish loft units atop 6,000 square feet of retail. Builder: JE Dunn Architect: Mithun Developer: The Schuster Group

  • ECO URBANMosler LoftsSeattle, WA

    ECO URBANMosler LoftsSeattle, WA

    http://www.builderonline.com/Images/fa20ad29-b604-4092-b6db-c3d01c50938c_tcm10-424466.jpg

    ECO URBANMosler LoftsSeattle, WA

    300

    Photo: Benjamin Benschneider

    Interiors feature 10-foot ceilings, exposed ductwork, concrete pillars and killer views of the city. A subterranean garage includes reserved parking for bicycles and flex cars, along with stormwater management and CO2 monitoring systems. Builder: JE Dunn Architect: Mithun Developer: The Schuster Group

  • LAYERED EFFECTLake Washington ResidenceSeattle

    LAYERED EFFECTLake Washington ResidenceSeattle

    http://www.builderonline.com/Images/1d770695-dd00-4b9f-b333-db39c2a983a9_tcm10-424470.jpg

    LAYERED EFFECTLake Washington ResidenceSeattle

    300

    Will Austin Photography

    The protective shell of this lakefront home comes by way of a standing-seam metal roof that wraps down two sides. Cut away that thick skin, however, and you discover a softer, warmer layer of horizontal red cedar. Architect: Johnston Architects Builder: Schuchart Dow

  • LAYERED EFFECTLake Washington ResidenceSeattle

    LAYERED EFFECTLake Washington ResidenceSeattle

    http://www.builderonline.com/Images/080ab67c-e25f-4e0c-9604-0e3088a19b7e_tcm10-424474.jpg

    LAYERED EFFECTLake Washington ResidenceSeattle

    300

    Photo: Will Austin Photography

    The front entry offers an alluring peek-through to serene water views on the opposite side of the house. Architect: Johnston Architects Builder: Schuchart Dow