Ten Coolest Projects of 2008

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

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 Swartz Builder: David L. Goode

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

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

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

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

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

...and a kitchen island made of recycled tires wrapped in orange Corian, with hideaway bar stools.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hoachlander Davis

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

Hoachlander Davis

The existing studs and gable ends of the home's south elevation … 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 Swartz Builder: David L. Goode

Brad Wheeler

What do you do with a brick and concrete building the length of … 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

Brad Wheeler

Exposed brick, massive wood beams, and riveted steel trusses giv… 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

Cody Andresen

Talk about inspired infill. The challenge here was a 25-foot-wid… 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

Cody Andresen

The kitchen in this four-story residence is on the second floor…. 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

This modern, eco-minded house keeps things simple, using no chem… 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

…and a kitchen island made of recycled tires wrapped in orange… …and a kitchen island made of recycled tires wrapped in orange Corian, with hideaway bar stools.

Ken Wyner

Built on a teardown lot in an old growth neighborhood, this hand… 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

Ken Wyner

Inside, horizontal runs of cherry trim span walls and wrap corne… 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

Jack Gardner Photography

With its crisp millwork and reclaimed wood plank floors, you mig… 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

Jack Gardner Photography

Designed with empty nesters in mind, the plan includes generous … 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

Jeffrey Aron Photography

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

Jeffrey Aron Photography

Inside, however, it's actually three floors tall, with a large m… 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

Steve Proehl

Wedged between commuter rail tracks and an elevated freeway, thi… 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

Steve Proehl

Now it's home to an artful blend of affordable housing units wit… 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

Benjamin Benschneider

Located within walking distance of shops, food, culture, and mas… 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

Benjamin Benschneider

Interiors feature 10-foot ceilings, exposed ductwork, concrete p… 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

Will Austin Photography

The protective shell of this lakefront home comes by way of a st… 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

Will Austin Photography

The front entry offers an alluring peek-through to serene water … 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