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Architecture

America's best new homes for 2019 revealed

By Adam Williams
May 03, 2019
America's best new homes for 2019 revealed
Mirror Point, by MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects, is one of the dozen projects highlighted in AIA's 2019 Housing Awards
Mirror Point, by MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects, is one of the dozen projects highlighted in AIA's 2019 Housing Awards
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Bigwin Island Club Cabins was designed by MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects
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Bigwin Island Club Cabins was designed by MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects
Bigwin Island Club Cabins is located in Baysville, Canada
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Bigwin Island Club Cabins is located in Baysville, Canada
Bigwin Island Club Cabins was recognized in the Multifamily Housing category
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Bigwin Island Club Cabins was recognized in the Multifamily Housing category
"Although formally dramatic, the cabins employ standard construction techniques, including typical gang nail trusses for the roof," says AIA's judges, regarding Bigwin Island Club Cabins. "This strategy - one of drawing upon local knowledge and expertise to reinterpret the vernacular - results in unique buildings that can capitalize on the economy of their construction"
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"Although formally dramatic, the cabins employ standard construction techniques, including typical gang nail trusses for the roof," says AIA's judges, regarding Bigwin Island Club Cabins. "This strategy - one of drawing upon local knowledge and expertise to reinterpret the vernacular - results in unique buildings that can capitalize on the economy of their construction"
Bigwin Island Club Cabins was designed by MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects
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Bigwin Island Club Cabins was designed by MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects
Bill Sorro Community Housing was designed by Kennerly Architecture & Planning
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Bill Sorro Community Housing was designed by Kennerly Architecture & Planning
Bill Sorro Community Housing is located in San Francisco, California
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Bill Sorro Community Housing is located in San Francisco, California
Bill Sorro Community Housing was recognized in the Multifamily Housing category
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Bill Sorro Community Housing was recognized in the Multifamily Housing category
Bill Sorro Community Housing features greywater recycling
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Bill Sorro Community Housing features greywater recycling
"Bill Sorro Community’s provides an ambitious combination of energy efficiency, air-quality, storm-water management and grey-water re-use," says AIA's judges. "The sustainable aspects reduce ongoing costs which makes funds available for other uses"
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"Bill Sorro Community’s provides an ambitious combination of energy efficiency, air-quality, storm-water management and grey-water re-use," says AIA's judges. "The sustainable aspects reduce ongoing costs which makes funds available for other uses"
Georgica Cove was designed by Bates Masi + Architects
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Georgica Cove was designed by Bates Masi + Architects
Georgica Cove is located in East Hampton, New York
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Georgica Cove is located in East Hampton, New York
Georgica Cove was recognized in the One- and Two-Family Custom Residences category
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Georgica Cove was recognized in the One- and Two-Family Custom Residences category
Areas of Georgica Cove can be shut down when not in use
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Areas of Georgica Cove can be shut down when not in use
"Each structure of Georgica Cove has an independent mechanical system allowing it to be shut down when unoccupied," says AIA's judges. "This allows the livability of the house to expand and contract whether the couple is alone, hosting dinner guests, or has a full house of overnight guests"
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"Each structure of Georgica Cove has an independent mechanical system allowing it to be shut down when unoccupied," says AIA's judges. "This allows the livability of the house to expand and contract whether the couple is alone, hosting dinner guests, or has a full house of overnight guests"
Jefferson Park Apartments was designed by Abacus Architects + Planners
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Jefferson Park Apartments was designed by Abacus Architects + Planners
Jefferson Park Apartments is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts
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Jefferson Park Apartments is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts
Jefferson Park Apartments was recognized in the Multifamily Housing category
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Jefferson Park Apartments was recognized in the Multifamily Housing category
Jefferson Park Apartments features child-friendly courtyards
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Jefferson Park Apartments features child-friendly courtyards
"Residents are supported by a physical environment that provides privacy, a sense of community, connections to nature, places to play and gather, and a sense of joy," says AIA's judges regarding Jefferson Park Apartments. "The central drive connects directly into the surrounding neighborhood street grid while the four courtyards provide a child- and community-friendly environment safely sheltered from traffic"
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"Residents are supported by a physical environment that provides privacy, a sense of community, connections to nature, places to play and gather, and a sense of joy," says AIA's judges regarding Jefferson Park Apartments. "The central drive connects directly into the surrounding neighborhood street grid while the four courtyards provide a child- and community-friendly environment safely sheltered from traffic"
Lofts at Mayo Park was designed by Abacus Architects + Planners
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Lofts at Mayo Park was designed by Abacus Architects + Planners
Lofts at Mayo Park is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts
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Lofts at Mayo Park is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts
Lofts at Mayo Park was recognized in the Multifamily Housing category
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Lofts at Mayo Park was recognized in the Multifamily Housing category
"The Lofts at Mayo Park has helped to improve the experience of a population critical to Rochester’s economy: medical patients traveling to the city for treatment at the Mayo Clinic," says AIA's judges. "Beyond providing unique housing options, such as large bathrooms, full kitchens, and flexible leases, tenants describe the interiors and connection to nature as ‘calming"
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"The Lofts at Mayo Park has helped to improve the experience of a population critical to Rochester’s economy: medical patients traveling to the city for treatment at the Mayo Clinic," says AIA's judges. "Beyond providing unique housing options, such as large bathrooms, full kitchens, and flexible leases, tenants describe the interiors and connection to nature as ‘calming"
Mirror Point was designed by MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects
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Mirror Point was designed by MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects
Mirror Point is located in Annapolis, Nova Scotia
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Mirror Point is located in Annapolis, Nova Scotia
"Mirror Point is expressed as an elevated, 80-foot [24 m]-long extruded ‘fish shed’, supported by a steel aedicule and a board formed concrete entry core," says AIA's judges. "The building is precisely sited using existing topography to maximize southern passive solar energy and views to the lake"
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"Mirror Point is expressed as an elevated, 80-foot [24 m]-long extruded ‘fish shed’, supported by a steel aedicule and a board formed concrete entry core," says AIA's judges. "The building is precisely sited using existing topography to maximize southern passive solar energy and views to the lake"
Mirror Point was recognized in the One- and Two-Family Custom Residences category
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Mirror Point was recognized in the One- and Two-Family Custom Residences category
Mirror Point, by MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects, is one of the dozen projects highlighted in AIA's 2019 Housing Awards
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Mirror Point, by MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects, is one of the dozen projects highlighted in AIA's 2019 Housing Awards
Oak Park Housing was designed by Johnsen Schmaling Architects
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Oak Park Housing was designed by Johnsen Schmaling Architects
Oak Park Housing is located in Sacramento, California
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Oak Park Housing is located in Sacramento, California
Oak Park Housing was recognized in the One- and Two-Family Production Homes category
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Oak Park Housing was recognized in the One- and Two-Family Production Homes category
"Designed as prototypical single-family homes around an ambitiously stringent construction budget to position the homes at the lower end of the market spectrum, the interior program had to be organized in compact volumes with uncompromising spatial efficiency, avoiding any gratuitous square footage that would balloon the unit size without tangible functional or experiential benefits." says AIA's judges regarding Oak Park Housing
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"Designed as prototypical single-family homes around an ambitiously stringent construction budget to position the homes at the lower end of the market spectrum, the interior program had to be organized in compact volumes with uncompromising spatial efficiency, avoiding any gratuitous square footage that would balloon the unit size without tangible functional or experiential benefits." says AIA's judges regarding Oak Park Housing
Oak Park Housing was designed by Johnsen Schmaling Architects
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Oak Park Housing was designed by Johnsen Schmaling Architects
Off-Grid Guesthouse was designed by Anacapa Architecture
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Off-Grid Guesthouse was designed by Anacapa Architecture
Off-Grid Guesthouse is located in Gaviota, California
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Off-Grid Guesthouse is located in Gaviota, California
"The rooftop is planted with native grasses, and the house itself is made entirely of sustainable building materials such as steel, concrete and glass," says AIA's judges regarding Off-Grid Guesthouse. "The home is completely self-sufficient and includes its own sewage treatment, as well as an on-site water supply and a rooftop photovoltaic system to meet all energy needs"
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"The rooftop is planted with native grasses, and the house itself is made entirely of sustainable building materials such as steel, concrete and glass," says AIA's judges regarding Off-Grid Guesthouse. "The home is completely self-sufficient and includes its own sewage treatment, as well as an on-site water supply and a rooftop photovoltaic system to meet all energy needs"
Off-Grid Guesthouse was designed by Anacapa Architecture
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Off-Grid Guesthouse was designed by Anacapa Architecture
Off-Grid Guesthouse was recognized in the One- and Two-Family Custom Residences category
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Off-Grid Guesthouse was recognized in the One- and Two-Family Custom Residences category
Pierhouse & 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge was designed by Marvel Architects
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Pierhouse & 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge was designed by Marvel Architects
Pierhouse & 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge is located in Brooklyn, New York
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Pierhouse & 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge is located in Brooklyn, New York
"Pierhouse performs as an extension of Brooklyn Bridge Park - a verdant backdrop recalling the high, sandy bank of pre-colonial Brooklyn Heights, screening urban noise while facilitating waterfront access," says AIA's judges regarding the Pierhouse & 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge
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"Pierhouse performs as an extension of Brooklyn Bridge Park - a verdant backdrop recalling the high, sandy bank of pre-colonial Brooklyn Heights, screening urban noise while facilitating waterfront access," says AIA's judges regarding the Pierhouse & 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge
Pierhouse & 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge was recognized in the Multifamily Housing category
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Pierhouse & 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge was recognized in the Multifamily Housing category
Pierhouse & 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge was designed by Marvel Architects
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Pierhouse & 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge was designed by Marvel Architects
San Joaquin Villages was designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP, Lorcan O'Herlihy Architects, and Kevin Daly Architects
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San Joaquin Villages was designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP, Lorcan O'Herlihy Architects, and Kevin Daly Architects
San Joaquin Villages is located in Goleta, California
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San Joaquin Villages is located in Goleta, California
San Joaquin Villages was recognized in the Specialized Housing category
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San Joaquin Villages was recognized in the Specialized Housing category
San Joaquin Villages was designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP, Lorcan O'Herlihy Architects, and Kevin Daly Architects
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San Joaquin Villages was designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP, Lorcan O'Herlihy Architects, and Kevin Daly Architects
Skyline Residence Hall was designed by William Rawn Associates, Architects, Inc.
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Skyline Residence Hall was designed by William Rawn Associates, Architects, Inc.
Skyline Residence Hall is located in Waltham, Massachusetts
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Skyline Residence Hall is located in Waltham, Massachusetts
"The Skyline Residence Hall 'C' shape opens to views of Boston. Because of this arrangement, views are democratized," says AIA's judges. "All students have access to the view over the Quad, which would not have happened had the building been placed at the hillcrest instead of the open space"
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"The Skyline Residence Hall 'C' shape opens to views of Boston. Because of this arrangement, views are democratized," says AIA's judges. "All students have access to the view over the Quad, which would not have happened had the building been placed at the hillcrest instead of the open space"
The Skyline Residence Hall was recognized in the Specialized Housing category
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The Skyline Residence Hall was recognized in the Specialized Housing category
Skyline Residence Hall was designed by William Rawn Associates, Architects, Inc.
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Skyline Residence Hall was designed by William Rawn Associates, Architects, Inc.
Tiny Tower is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Tiny Tower is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Tiny Tower was recognized in the One- and Two-Family Production Homes category
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Tiny Tower was recognized in the One- and Two-Family Production Homes category
"Tiny Tower places a 1,250 sq ft [116 sq m] home on a 12 by 29 ft lot [3.6 x 8.8 m] whose similarly scaled neighbors are currently used as single-car parking and rear yards for the adjacent houses," says AIA's judges. "Although it measures only 38 ft [11 m] in height, Tiny Tower is organized like a full-scale skyscraper"
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"Tiny Tower places a 1,250 sq ft [116 sq m] home on a 12 by 29 ft lot [3.6 x 8.8 m] whose similarly scaled neighbors are currently used as single-car parking and rear yards for the adjacent houses," says AIA's judges. "Although it measures only 38 ft  [11 m] in height, Tiny Tower is organized like a full-scale skyscraper"
Tiny Tower was designed by Interface Studio Architects
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Tiny Tower was designed by Interface Studio Architects
Tiny Tower is designed to fit into small awkward city plots that are usually
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Tiny Tower is designed to fit into small awkward city plots that are usually too awkward to build on
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The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has revealed the winners for its 2019 Housing Awards. Now in its 19th year, the annual awards highlight the best residential architecture designed by US-licensed firms. This year offers a strong selection of projects, from luxurious rural retreats to affordable inner-city housing.

The 2019 Housing Awards comprises a total of 12 homes that AIA's five-member jury feels demonstrate design excellence and are "sustainable, affordable, durable, innovative, socially impactful, meeting client needs, and addressing the natural and built contexts."

The dozen projects are split into four categories: One/Two Family Custom Residences, One/Two Family Production Homes, Multifamily Housing, and Specialized Housing. Here are a couple of standout designs to whet your appetite.

Tiny Tower is designed to fit into small awkward city plots that are usually
Tiny Tower is designed to fit into small awkward city plots that are usually too awkward to build on

Interface Studio Architects' Tiny Tower is a compact home designed to fit into awkward city plots that aren't suitable for building a standard house on. It's located in Philadelphia's Brewerytown neighborhood, which is currently undergoing redevelopment.

Likened to a downsized skyscraper, Tiny Tower is 38 ft (11.5 m)-tall and fits into a 12 x 29 ft (3.6 x 8.8 m) space. It has 1,250 sq ft (116 sq m) of floorspace spread over five floors (plus a rooftop terrace), with a surprisingly comfortable-looking interior.

Off-Grid Guesthouse was designed by Anacapa Architecture
Off-Grid Guesthouse was designed by Anacapa Architecture

The Off-Grid Guesthouse, by Anacapa, is located on California's coastline. The home juts out over the hillside and offers choice views of the stunning scenery, with its living room opening up to the outside with sliding glazing.

The home is topped by a green roof and, due to its remote location, runs totally off-the-grid with solar panels. Water is drawn from a well on the site.

Head to the gallery to see more on these two homes, as well as the 10 other projects highlighted in the AIA 2019 Housing Awards.

Source: AIA

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3 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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3 comments
jshaw
Square apartment buildings. Well, wowee.
ljaques
The pointy hats are so chic!
KaiserPingo
Hmmm..., not really innovative or impressive.