Expanded Web Coverage of the 2009 CUSTOM HOME Design Awards

By Bruce D. Snider, Meghan Drueding, Shelley D. Hutchins, and Nigel F. Maynard

Doug Edmunds Every new custom home begins with an act of almost reckless optimism. The problem of human shelter, after all, is nothing new. Does the world really need yet another vision of what a house should be? Those involved in the enterprise of custom building answer yes, forging ahead with the conviction that for this client, with this budget, on this site, they will top everything that has gone before. The winners of this year’s CUSTOM HOME Design Awards demonstrate what happens when that rather audacious proposition succeeds. Reflecting widely varied programs, tastes, and budgets, they share an elusive quality of design that marks them as a breed apart.

Lending their expertise in discerning that quality were a distinguished panel of architects and custom builders: Heather Cass, FAIA, Cass & Associates Architects, Washington, D.C.; Jacob S. Goldberg, Goldberg General Contracting, Chicago; Mary Griffin, FAIA, Turnbull Griffin Haesloop Architects, San Francisco; and David Warner, Redhorse Constructors, San Rafael, Calif. From a field of more than 500 submissions, they selected the 21 projects presented here, as well as the three that appear in the Summer issue of CUSTOM HOME OUTDOORS. Together, these winners serve as proof that the state of the custom home art continues to advance.

The 2009 CUSTOM HOME Design Award winners:

Custom Home of the Year
Ferrous House, Spring Prairie, Wis.
Johnsen Schmaling Architects, Milwaukee

Grand Award: Custom Home / Less Than 3,000 Square Feet
Born House, Little Compton, R.I.
Estes/Twombly Architects, Newport, R.I.

Grand Award: Custom Home / Less Than 3,000 Square Feet
Strickland-Ferris Residence, Raleigh, N.C.
Frank Harmon Architect, Raleigh, N.C.

Merit Award: Custom Home / Less Than 3,000 Square Feet
Low-Country Residence, Mount Pleasant, S.C.
Frank Harmon Architect, Raleigh, N.C.

Merit Award: Custom Home / Less Than 3,000 Square Feet
Glen Park Residence, San Francisco
Strachan Forgan, San Francisco

Grand Award: Custom Home / 3,000 to 5,000 Square Feet
Laidley Street Residence, San Francisco
Zack / de Vito Architecture, San Francisco

Merit Award: Custom Home / 3,000 to 5,000 Square Feet
Sherriff Residence, Chestertown, Md.
Charles E. Anthony Architects, Annapolis, Md.

Merit Award: Custom Home / 3,000 to 5,000 Square Feet
Zeidler Residence, Aptos, Calif.
Ehrlich Architects, Culver City, Calif.

Grand Award: Custom Home / More Than 5,000 Square Feet
Buisson Residence, Lake Anna, Va.
Robert M. Gurney, FAIA, Alexandria, Va.

Merit Award: Custom Home / More Than 5,000 Square Feet
Artreehoose, New Fairfield, Conn.
Della Valle Bernheimer, Brooklyn, N.Y.

Merit Award: Custom Kitchen
Eichler Kitchen Remodel, Palo Alto, Calif.
Anne Phillips Architecture, Berkeley, Calif.

Merit Award: Custom Kitchen
Bungalow Kitchen, Washington, D.C.
Treacy & Eagleburger Architects, Washington, D.C.

Merit Award: Custom Kitchen
Riverbank Residence, Stamford, Conn.
Joeb + Partners, Architects, Greenwich, Conn.

Grand Award: Custom Bath
Suite 4511, Washington, D.C.
Robert M. Gurney, FAIA, Alexandria, Va.

Merit Award: Custom Bath
Miller Powder Bath, Austin, Texas
CG&S Design-Build, Austin, Texas

Grand Award: Renovation
Town House, Washington, D.C.
Robert M. Gurney, FAIA, Alexandria, Va

Grand Award: Renovation
Peterson Residence, Chevy Chase, Md.
Robert M. Gurney, FAIA, Alexandria, Va.

Merit Award: Custom Detail
Harkavy Residence, Potomac, Md.
Robert M. Gurney, FAIA, Alexandria, Va.

Merit Award: Custom Detail
Revello Residence, Pacific Palisades, Calif.
SML Design Studio, Los Angeles

Merit Award: Custom Detail
TK Pad, Jackson, Wyo.
Ward+Blake Architects, Jackson, Wyo.

Grand Award: Accessory Building
The Shack at Hinkle Farm, Upper Tract, W.V.
Broadhurst Architects, Rockville, Md.