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Architecture

Gallery: Small is beautiful - AIA's Small Project Awards

By Adam Williams
June 05, 2018
Gallery: Small is beautiful - AIA's Small Project Awards
Sonoma Residence is one of the 11 projects honored in the 2018 Small Project Awards
Sonoma Residence is one of the 11 projects honored in the 2018 Small Project Awards
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The Five Fields Play Structure is tailored to children, but adults are also encouraged to enjoy it
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The Five Fields Play Structure is tailored to children, but adults are also encouraged to enjoy it 
The Five Fields Play Structure was awarded in Category One, which honors projects up to US$150,000 in construction costs
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The Five Fields Play Structure was awarded in Category One, which honors projects up to US$150,000 in construction costs
The Five Fields Play Structure is located in Lexington, MA
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The Five Fields Play Structure is located in Lexington, MA
The Five Fields Play Structure was designed by FR|SCH Projects in collaboration with Matter Design
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The Five Fields Play Structure was designed by FR|SCH Projects in collaboration with Matter Design
Studio / Bunkhouse was designed by Cutler Anderson Architects
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Studio / Bunkhouse was designed by Cutler Anderson Architects
Studio / Bunkhouse was awarded in Category One, which honors projects up to $150,000 in construction costs
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Studio / Bunkhouse was awarded in Category One, which honors projects up to $150,000 in construction costs 
Studio / Bunkhouse was once a dilapidated tool shed
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Studio / Bunkhouse was once a dilapidated tool shed
Studio / Bunkhouse now serves as a multi-use building, functioning as a bunk house and a design studio
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Studio / Bunkhouse now serves as a multi-use building, functioning as a bunk house and a design studio
Studio / Bunkhouse was framed by an 11-year-old and her dad with rough-sawn Douglas Fir from a nearby sawmil
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Studio / Bunkhouse was framed by an 11-year-old and her dad with rough-sawn Douglas Fir from a nearby sawmil
Studio / Bunkhouse has a folding desk and beds
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Studio / Bunkhouse has a folding desk and beds 
Studio / Bunkhouse functions as a bunk house for the 11-year old, a design studio for her dad, and, when everything is folded, a poker room for her dad’s friends
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Studio / Bunkhouse functions as a bunk house for the 11-year old, a design studio for her dad, and, when everything is folded, a poker room for her dad’s friends
Rear Window House was awarded in Category Two, which honors projects up to $1.5 million in construction cost
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Rear Window House was awarded in Category Two, which honors projects up to $1.5 million in construction cost
Rear Window House was designed by Edward Ogosta Architecture
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Rear Window House was designed by Edward Ogosta Architecture
Rear Window House is located in Culver City, California
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Rear Window House is located in Culver City, California
Rear Window House involved a discreet but modern remodel and extension of a seventy-year-old bungalow
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Rear Window House involved a discreet but modern remodel and extension of a seventy-year-old bungalow
Rear Window House culminates in the master bedroom’s expansive rear window
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Rear Window House culminates in the master bedroom’s expansive rear window
Rear Window House provides additional space for a growing family
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Rear Window House provides additional space for a growing family 
Sawmill was designed by Olson Kundig Architects
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Sawmill was designed by Olson Kundig Architects
Sawmill is located in Tehachapi, California
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Sawmill is located in Tehachapi, California
Sawmill was awarded in Category Two, which honors projects up to $1.5 million in construction cost
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Sawmill was awarded in Category Two, which honors projects up to $1.5 million in construction cost
Sawmill operates completely off the grid
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Sawmill operates completely off the grid
Sawmill is largely made from recycled and salvaged materials, including structural steel recovered from a nearby cement mine and wood discovered in an existing barn
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Sawmill is largely made from recycled and salvaged materials, including structural steel recovered from a nearby cement mine and wood discovered in an existing barn
Sawmill's low-maintenance and durable materials were selected for their ability to withstand the rugged environment that surrounds the home
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Sawmill's low-maintenance and durable materials were selected for their ability to withstand the rugged environment that surrounds the home 
Sawmill serves as a retreat for an extended family
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Sawmill serves as a retreat for an extended family 
Shadow Play was designed by Howeler + Yoon Architecture, LLP
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Shadow Play was designed by Howeler + Yoon Architecture, LLP
Shadow Play is located in Phoenix, Arizona
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Shadow Play is located in Phoenix, Arizona
Shadow Play was awarded in Category Two, which honors projects up to $1.5 million in cost
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Shadow Play was awarded in Category Two, which honors projects up to $1.5 million in cost
Shadow Play is positioned on a former traffic median and increases usable space for pedestrians
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Shadow Play is positioned on a former traffic median and increases usable space for pedestrians 
Shadow Play improves the downtown Phoenix streetscape at Roosevelt Row
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Shadow Play improves the downtown Phoenix streetscape at Roosevelt Row
Each of Shadow Play's modules is fabricated from a steel plate to create a thin but structurally rigid cell
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Each of Shadow Play's modules is fabricated from a steel plate to create a thin but structurally rigid cell
Shadow Play is topped by photovoltaic panels
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Shadow Play is topped by photovoltaic panels 
Sonoma Residence was designed by Alchemy Architects, LLC
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Sonoma Residence was designed by Alchemy Architects, LLC
Sonoma Residence is one of the 11 projects honored in the 2018 Small Project Awards
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Sonoma Residence is one of the 11 projects honored in the 2018 Small Project Awards
Sonoma Residence won in Category Two, which honors projects up to $1.5 million in construction cost
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Sonoma Residence won in Category Two, which honors projects up to $1.5 million in construction cost 
Sonoma Residence is located in Santa Rosa, California
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Sonoma Residence is located in Santa Rosa, California
Sonoma Residence is a small prefabricated home customized in collaboration with the client, who is Apple's Real Estate and Development Senior Design Director, and an architect himself
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Sonoma Residence is a small prefabricated home customized in collaboration with the client, who is Apple's Real Estate and Development Senior Design Director, and an architect himself
Sonoma Residence features a whitewashed oak bed-box separating the living and bath areas
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Sonoma Residence features a whitewashed oak bed-box separating the living and bath areas
Sonoma Residence also features an accompanying guesthouse
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Sonoma Residence also features an accompanying guesthouse 
The Grand Lake Poolhouse was designed by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris
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The Grand Lake Poolhouse was designed by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris
The Grand Lake Poolhouse is located in North-eastern Oklahoma
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The Grand Lake Poolhouse is located in North-eastern Oklahoma
The Grand Lake Poolhouse won in Category Two, which honors up to $1.5 million in construction cost
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The Grand Lake Poolhouse won in Category Two, which honors up to $1.5 million in construction cost
The Grand Lake Poolhouse comprises a pair of lakeside pavilions containing a pool and spa
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The Grand Lake Poolhouse comprises a pair of lakeside pavilions containing a pool and spa
The Grand Lake Poolhouse project aimed to rejuvenate the immediate landscape without altering it too much by creating a beautiful building with panoramic lake views
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The Grand Lake Poolhouse project aimed to rejuvenate the immediate landscape without altering it too much by creating a beautiful building with panoramic lake views
To preserve the views, the larger Grand Lake Poolhouse building is embedded in the undulating landscape
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To preserve the views, the larger Grand Lake Poolhouse building is embedded in the undulating landscape
BI(h)OME was designed by Kevin Daly Architects
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BI(h)OME was designed by Kevin Daly Architects
BI(h)OME is located in Los Angeles, California
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BI(h)OME is located in Los Angeles, California
BI(h)OME won in Category Three, which honors projects under 5,000 sq ft (464 sq m)
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BI(h)OME won in Category Three, which honors projects under 5,000 sq ft (464 sq m)
BI(h)OME was developed in response to Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti’s call for the creation of 100,000 new housing units by 2021
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BI(h)OME was developed in response to Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti’s call for the creation of 100,000 new housing units by 2021
BI(h)OME is a lightweight, recyclable and customizable accessory dwelling unit
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BI(h)OME is a lightweight, recyclable and customizable accessory dwelling unit
BI(h)OME is intended to serve as housing for an elderly parent, a returning college graduate, or a rental unit in any of the 500,000 single family parcels in Los Angeles
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BI(h)OME is intended to serve as housing for an elderly parent, a returning college graduate, or a rental unit in any of the 500,000 single family parcels in Los Angeles
Each 500 sq ft (46 sq m) BI(h)OME contains a bedroom, living room, kitchen/dining room, and bathroom
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Each 500 sq ft (46 sq m) BI(h)OME contains a bedroom, living room, kitchen/dining room, and bathroom
BI(h)OME can be configured to produce its own electricity with photovoltaic cells that can be printed on the outside layer of the skin
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BI(h)OME can be configured to produce its own electricity with photovoltaic cells that can be printed on the outside layer of the skin
The Chapel at Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun was designed by FXCollaborative
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The Chapel at Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun was designed by FXCollaborative
The Chapel at Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun is located in New York, New York
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The Chapel at Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun is located in New York, New York
The Chapel at Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun involved the transformation of a Lower School's gymnasium into a Chapel
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The Chapel at Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun involved the transformation of a Lower School's gymnasium into a Chapel
Architectural drawing of the Chapel at Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun
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Architectural drawing of the Chapel at Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun
Architectural drawing of the Chapel at Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun
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Architectural drawing of the Chapel at Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun
Architectural drawing of the Chapel at Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun
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Architectural drawing of the Chapel at Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun
The Chapel at Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun won in Category Three, which honors projects under 5,000 sq ft
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The Chapel at Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun won in Category Three, which honors projects under 5,000 sq ft
Principal Riverwalk Pump Station is located in Des Moines, Iowa
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Principal Riverwalk Pump Station is located in Des Moines, Iowa
Principal Riverwalk Pump Station won in Category Three, which honors projects under 5,000 sq ft
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Principal Riverwalk Pump Station won in Category Three, which honors projects under 5,000 sq ft
Principal Riverwalk Pump Station is a work of urban infrastructure used during flood events
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Principal Riverwalk Pump Station is a work of urban infrastructure used during flood events
Principal Riverwalk Pump Station is designed to be sympathetic with the Principal Riverwalk –a $50 million development along the Des Moines River
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Principal Riverwalk Pump Station is designed to be sympathetic with the Principal Riverwalk –a $50 million development along the Des Moines River
Principal Riverwalk Pump Station consists of two main parts - a Pump House and a Gate Valve Platform - that complement a neighboring cafe
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Principal Riverwalk Pump Station consists of two main parts - a Pump House and a Gate Valve Platform - that complement a neighboring cafe 
Principal Riverwalk Pump Station also involved artist Jun Kaneko, who added a glass mural named to the north face of the Pump House
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Principal Riverwalk Pump Station also involved artist Jun Kaneko, who added a glass mural named to the north face of the Pump House
Principal Riverwalk Pump Station was designed by substance
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Principal Riverwalk Pump Station was designed by substance
Rosewood Park Beach Improvements was designed by Woodhouse Tinucci Architects
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Rosewood Park Beach Improvements was designed by Woodhouse Tinucci Architects
Rosewood Park Beach Improvements is located in Highland, Illinois
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Rosewood Park Beach Improvements is located in Highland, Illinois
Rosewood Park Beach Improvements won in Category Three, which honors projects under 5,000 sq ft
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Rosewood Park Beach Improvements won in Category Three, which honors projects under 5,000 sq ft 
Rosewood Park Beach Improvements is designed to supplement the elemental lakeside experience
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Rosewood Park Beach Improvements is designed to supplement the elemental lakeside experience
Rosewood Park Beach Improvements involves a long boardwalk and pavilions
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Rosewood Park Beach Improvements involves a long boardwalk and pavilions 
Rosewood Park Beach Improvements also includes benches and bridges
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Rosewood Park Beach Improvements also includes benches and bridges 
View gallery - 72 images

The USA is often associated with all things big: cars, food and buildings – everything seems larger than life in that part of the world. However, with its 2018 Small Project Awards, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) honors projects that, despite their size or budget, are monuments to superb design.

The AIA Small Project Awards honors small-project firms. By "small," AIA means projects that fall into one of three categories: a small project that cost under US$150,000, one that cost up to $1.5 million, or one that measures under 5,000 sq ft (464 sq m). Admittedly $.15 million doesn't sound that small but the projects included are certainly on a smaller scale than we usually see in other awards – plus the Relatively Small Project Awards just doesn't have the same ring to it.

This year's theme is "Renewal," and if it sounds pretty open, that's the idea. The upshot is that we're treated to a broad range of projects. Highlights include the Sonoma Residence. The minimalist prefabricated home, with accompanying guesthouse, was designed in collaboration with Apple's Real Estate and Development Senior Design Director, who is also an architect himself.

Studio / Bunkhouse was framed by an 11-year-old and her dad with rough-sawn Douglas Fir from a nearby sawmil
Studio / Bunkhouse was framed by an 11-year-old and her dad with rough-sawn Douglas Fir from a nearby sawmil

Studio / Bunkhouse, pictured above, is another standout. This little cabin was made by an architect and his 11 year old daughter from the shell of a dilapidated tool shed. It now functions as a bunk house for the 11-year old, a design studio for her dad, and, when everything is folded away, a poker room for dad and friends.

Head to the gallery to see each of the 11 excellent projects honored in this year's AIA Small Projects Awards, including a hardy off-grid home, an attractive pump house, a playground for kids and kids at heart, and more.

Source: AIA

View gallery - 72 images

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ArchitectureBuilding and ConstructionArchitectsCabinsMicro-HouseOff-gridTiny Footprint
2 comments
Adam Williams
Adam Williams
Adam scours the globe from his home in Spain in order to bring the best of innovative architecture and sustainable design to the pages of New Atlas. Most of his spare time is spent dabbling in music, tinkering with old Macintosh computers and trying to keep his even older VW bus on the road.

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2 comments
EH
The bunkhouse is OK, simple in order to be practical rather than as some sort of pretentious "statement". The bi(h)ome is at least original, though not very practical, and would be like living in a hundred drum sets whenever it rained.
The others for the most part are the sort of not good, not original, box-the-building-came-in pseudo-artistic BS that has made the architecture of the last 90 years so soul-crushingly awful.
ljaques
Love the bunkhouse, but would finish the interior walls and ceiling and insulate. // The Five Fields Play Structure looks like a blast, and I'd play on it myself. // My favorite is the Sonoma Residence weeHome. I'd blast the exterior and put a high-performance coating on it which resembled the rusty finish color. // Last but not least, the Rosewood Park Beach Improvements are wonderful, and I'll bet they're filled with people on nice days. // EH, I love your last statement, as I, too, feel that most contemporary archtecture is soul-crushingly awful.