Posted on: October 08, 2002

The 22nd Annual Builder's Choice

Density with dignity is the name of the game in 2002.

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 Sentinels

Home of the Year: Gallegos Residence

Grand Award: Edgehill Townhomes

Grand Award: The New Craftsman Residence

Grand Award: Loyola Village

Grand Award: Meyers Park City Homes

Grand Award: Vintage Sonoma, Country Cottage

Grand Award: Abernethy Residence

Grand Award: Chiricahua Villas

Grand Award: Tenley Hill Condominiums

Grand Award: The Florida Brewing Co.

Grand Award: Farralon Ridge, Residence One