Now in its 17th year, the American Institute of Architects' Housing Awards Program was established to recognize "the best in housing design and promote the importance of good housing as a necessity of life." This year's honorees include a Swiss chalet-inspired townhome community in California and swanky student lofts at Washington University in Missouri.
Read on for more recipients of the 2017 best housing project awards, representing the most brilliantly designed residences across the U.S.
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American Institute of Architects
Blue Lake Retreat (One- and Two-Family Custom Residences)
Locations: Marble Falls, Texas
This category recognizes outstanding designs for custom and remodeled homes for a specific client. The retreat that takes the top prize was designed to celebrate the memories of the client’s childhood summers spent on the lake, and honor the legacy of her father who was an architect.
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American Institute of Architects
Los Altos Residence (One- and Two-Family Custom Residences)
Location: Los Altos, California
This residence, designed for a single family, is a modernist play on the ranch-style homes of Northern California.
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American Institute of Architects
Sawmill (One- and Two-Family Custom Residences)
Location: Tehachapi, California
This 5,200-square-foot house is located in the middle of the California desert. The owners hoped to create a self-sufficient retreat and a lasting marker of their presence in the area.
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American Institute of Architects
Stellar Residences and Townhomes at Northstar (One/Two Family Production Housing)
Location: Truckee, California
These residences challenge the concept of the traditional mountain chalet one might find in Switzerland. The glass windows open up the space, welcoming in sweeping views of the surrounding environment, including the Martis Valley and Carson Range.
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American Institute of Architects
Roxbury E+ (One/Two Family Production Housing)
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
This housing complex consists of four three-story wood-frame homes and was build as part of the City of Boston’s Energy Plus (E+) Green Building Program.
These two new blocks of affordable family housing were a part of the first phase of San Francisco’s ambitious program to rebuild parts of San Francisco’s deteriorated public housing. They have a modern feel and fit in the with city's existing architecture.
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American Institute of Architects
Powerhouse (Multifamily Housing)
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
This housing unit is made up of a variety of single-family town homes and duplexes, as well as two small apartment buildings. The homes were built in hopes of keeping up with the character of the surrounding community, and have been made available at a range of prices to meet the needs and budgets of residents.
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American Institute of Architects
The Lofts at Washington University in St. Louis (Specialty Housing)
Location: St. Louis, Missouri
This category recognizes outstanding design in single room occupancy residences (SROs), independent living for the disabled, residential rehabilitation programs, domestic violence shelters, and other special housing. These lofts cover over 280,000 square feet, and were built to keep students closer to campus.
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American Institute of Architects
Heartland Family Works (Specialty Housing)
Location: Omaha, Nebraska
This specialty housing location offers four- and six-month residential substance abuse treatment programs in a setting that keeps families together while giving mothers the intensive, support they need while getting sober. The designers used a contrast of warm colors and textures to complement the cool palette of the concrete.
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American Institute of Architects
The Six (Specialty Housing)
Location: Los Angeles
This housing project consists of 52 units and provides a home, support services and rehabilitation for previously homeless and/or disabled veterans. The project is located by MacArthur Park and features energy efficient amenities that exceed standard practice.
