As usual, the debate became liveliest toward the end of the judging of the 2008 Remodeling Design Awards, a two-day marathon in which six designers and architects — all of them award winners themselves — perused a record-setting 340 entries in the 24th annual competition.
The entries were organized into nine categories, with an additional 26 subcategories based on price. Rather than selecting winners in every category, the judges had great latitude in awarding only the projects that they believed represented the highest standards of design and excellence — as well as functional value, cost-effectiveness, and sensitivity to the existing structure and surroundings. "Competent but not noteworthy," a judge said of one project, echoing a sentiment that led many inarguably fine projects to not make the final cut.
In the end, the judges chose just 21 projects for awards. Not every judge agreed on every entrant’s relative strengths or weaknesses, and in some cases they regretted that the binder presentation and/or photography inadequately conveyed the project’s design and execution. But they all congratulated the winners, and the industry, for solving homeowners’ challenges in new ways that are resourceful and well crafted.
Award-Winning Projects
The 2008 Remodeling Design Awards drew 340 entries and resulted in 21 awards: 1 Best of the Year, 8 Grand, 11 Merit, and 1 Honorable Mention. Two awards went to projects in the Green Remodeling category, now in its second year.
Many thanks to this year’s judges: Michael Anschel, Otogawa-Anschel Design-Build, Minneapolis; Ralph Cunningham, Cunningham/Quill Architects, Washington, D.C.; Debra Moore, Custom Design/Build, Ann Arbor, Mich.; Tessa Smith, The Artisans Group, East Olympia, Wash.; Kai Tong, Hopkins & Porter, Potomac, Md.; J.P. Ward, Anthony Wilder Design/Build, Cabin John, Md.
To learn more about the 2009 REMODELING Design Awards, please e-mail your contact information to remdesign@hanleywood.com. And look for further announcements on www.remodelingmag.com.
Best of the Year
Category: Whole-House Remodeling, $250,000-$500,000
Location: Washington, D.C.
Designer: Division One Architects, Silver Spring, Md.
Contractor: ACT Inc., Alexandria, Va.
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Grand: New Victorian
Category: Old House Renovation, under $150,000
Location: San Diego
Designer: Arclinea San Diego
Contractor: Tom Nardini Construction, Solana Beach, Calif.
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Grand: It's Fundamental
Category: Green Remodeling, over $250,000
Location: Winter Park, Fla.
Contractor and Designer: Phil Kean Designs, Winter Park, Fla.
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Grand: Squarely Historic
Category:Old House Renovation, over $300,000
Location: Washington, D.C.
Designer: Wiedemann Architects, Bethesda, Md.
Contractor: McNamara Brothers, Silver Spring, Md.
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Grand: Designed for Living
Category: Kitchen Remodeling, under $50,000
Location: Austin, Texas
Designer: McKinney Architects, Austin, Texas
Contractor: Longboard Construction, Austin
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Grand: Floating Function
Category: Kitchen Remodeling, over $100,000
Location: Seattle
Designer: Stuart Silk Architects Ltd., Seattle, Wash.
Contractor: Bender Chaffey Corp., Kirkland, Wash.
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Grand: Roots Music
Category: Additions, over $250,000
Location: Bethesda, Md.
Designer: Donald Lococo Architects, Washington, D.C.
Contractor: Macon Construction, Kensington, Md.
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Grand: Triumphant Underdog
Category: Whole-House Remodeling, over $500,000
Location: Alexandria, Va.
Designer: Moore Architects, Alexandria, Va.
Contractor: G&M Contracting, Vienna, Va.
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Grand: Old-New Conversation
Category: Whole-House Remodeling, over $500,000
Location: Chevy Chase, Md.
Designer: Rill & Decker Architects, Bethesda, Md.
Contractor: David J. Brown Construction, Cabin John, Md.
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Merit: Family Function
Category: Kitchen Remodeling, $50,000-$100,000
Location: Seattle
Designer: Stuart Silk Architects Ltd., Seattle, Wash.
Contractor: Geoff Osler, Seattle
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Merit: All in Order
Category: Bathroom Remodeling, over $100,000
Location: Charlotte, N.C.
Designer: Pursley Architecture, Charlotte, N.C.
Contractor: Hubert Whitlock Builders, Charlotte, N.C.
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Merit: Lakeside Lovely
Category: Kitchen Remodeling, over $100,000
Location: Chestnut Hill, Mass.
Designer: Arclinea Boston, Boston, Mass.
Contractor: KM Woodworkers, Braintree, Mass.
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Merit: Farmhouse Style
Category: Bathroom Remodeling, under $25,000
Location: Bellevue, Wash.
Designer: Michael Jones, Sammamish, Wash.
Contractor: Patricia Gordon, Stone Pillar Remodeling, Redmond, Wash.
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Merit: Elegant Institution
Category: Commercial Remodeling, over $500,000
Location: Charlottesville, Va.
Designer: Mitchell/Matthews Architects & Planners, Charlottesville
Contractor: Nielsen Builders, Charlottesville
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Merit: Brilliant Bridge
Category: Additions, $100,000-$250,000
Location: Santa Monica, Calif.
Designer: Michael W. Folonis, FAIA & Associates, Santa Monica
Contractor: Hinerfeld-Ward, Los Angeles, Calif.
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Merit: Dynamic Warehouse
Category: Commercial Remodeling, $250,000-$500,000
Location: Rehoboth Beach, Del.
Designer: McInturff Architects, Bethesda, Md.
Contractor: Boardwalk Builders, Rehoboth Beach, Del.
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Merit: Eclectic Kitchen
Category: Green Remodeling, $100,000-$250,000
Location: Tucson, Ariz.
Designer and Contractor: Eren Design and Remodel, Tucson, Ariz.
Click here for image slideshow. or see related article about this project.
Merit: Artful Overhaul
Category: Old House Renovation, over $300,000
Location: Minneapolis
Designer: David Heide Design Studio, Minneapolis, Minn.
Contractor: Welch Forsman Associates, Minneapolis, Minn.
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Merit: Treetop Whimsy
Category: Design/Build, under $100,000
Location: Charlotte, N.C.
Designer and Contractor: Masterbuilder Fellowship for the Built Environment, Matthews, N.C.
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Merit: Lightening Up
Category: Design/Build, over $250,000
Location: Cocoa Beach, Fla.
Contractor and Designer: Phil Kean Designs, Winter Park, Fla.
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Honorable Mention: Basement Makeover
Category: Design/Build, under $100,000
Location: Pittsburgh
Contractor and Designer: Matt Roule and Chad Carter, 131Shapes, Pittsburgh, Pa.
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To learn more about the REMODELING Design Awards, including photos of previous years’ winners, visit www.remodelingdesignawards.com.