Architecture

American Institute of Architects highlights the best housing in the US

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The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has revealed the winners of its 2015 Housing Awards
Bayview Hill Gardens, by David Baker Architects was previously the site of a disused motel (Photo: Bruce Damonte)
Bayview Hill Gardens, by David Baker Architects offers 73 green homes for formerly homeless families and youth leaving foster care (Photo: Bruce Damonte)
Bayview Hill Gardens, by David Baker Architects features extensive community spaces (Photo: Bruce Damonte)
Inside Bayview Hill Gardens, by David Baker Architects (Photo: Matt Edge)
Bayview Hill Gardens, by David Baker Architects was previously the site of a disused motel (Photo: Bruce Damonte)
Bayview Hill Gardens, by David Baker Architects offers 73 green homes for formerly homeless families and youth leaving foster care (Photo: Bruce Damonte)
Bayview Hill Gardens, by David Baker Architects features extensive community spaces (Photo: Bruce Damonte)
160 Massachusetts Avenue Tower, Berklee College of Music, by William Rawn Associates, Architects, Inc (Photo: Bruce T. Martin Photography)
160 Massachusetts Avenue Tower serves the Berkeley College of Music campus within Boston (Photo: Bruce T. Martin Photography)
160 Massachusetts Avenue Tower comprises a total of 12 floors (Photo: Bruce T. Martin Photography)
160 Massachusetts Avenue Tower houses 380 students (Photo: Bruce T. Martin Photography)
160 Massachusetts Avenue Tower also features a fitness center and music practice rooms (Photo: Robert Benson Photography)
Inside 160 Massachusetts Avenue Tower (Photo: Robert Benson Photography)
Bridge House, by Greenwich, Connecticut-based firm Joeb Moore + Partners Architects (Photo: David Sundberg/Esto)
Bridge House,by Joeb Moore & Partners was commissioned by a retired couple who desired a greater connection to the natural world (Photo: David Sundberg/Esto)
Bridge House,by Joeb Moore & Partners takes its place very well within the surrounding rural landscape (Photo: David Sundberg/Esto)
Bridge House,by Joeb Moore & Partners boasts liberal use of large windows, which ensures maximum natural light permeates the interior (Photo: David Sundberg/Esto)
Bridge House,by Joeb Moore & Partners (Photo: David Sundberg/Esto)
Inside Bridge House,by Joeb Moore & Partners (Photo: David Sundberg/Esto)
Broadway Affordable Housing, by Kevin Daly Architects is an attractive housing project for low-income families on the Westside of Los Angeles
Broadway Affordable Housing, by Kevin Daly Architects, measures a total of 3,086 sq m (33,225 sq ft)
Units at Broadway Affordable Housing, by Kevin Daly Architects, cost between $560 and $1,300 per month
Inside a Broadway Affordable Housing unit
Broadway Affordable Housing, by Kevin Daly Architects
Broadway Affordable Housing, by Kevin Daly Architects
Well situated for nearby bike lanes and public transportation, Broadway Affordable Housing also boasts some practical sustainable design
Broadway Affordable Housing, by Kevin Daly Architects is an attractive housing project for low-income families on the Westside of Los Angeles
John C Anderson Apartments, by WRT, LLC is a 56-unit affordable senior housing development located in Philadelphia's historic Washington Square West neighborhood
John C Anderson Apartments, by WRT, LLC serves the needs of youth and seniors within the LGBT community
John C Anderson Apartments, by WRT, LLC, is cited as the first “LGBT‐friendly” affordable senior housing project to be developed in the eastern United States
The facade of John C Anderson Apartments, by WRT, LLC
John C Anderson Apartments, by WRT, LLC is a 56-unit affordable senior housing development located in Philadelphia's historic Washington Square West neighborhood
John C Anderson Apartments, by WRT, LLC, is cited as the first "LGBT‐friendly" affordable senior housing project to be developed in the eastern United States
John C Anderson Apartments, by WRT, LLC is a 56-unit affordable senior housing development located in Philadelphia's historic Washington Square West neighborhood
La Casa Permanent Supportive Housing, by Studio Twenty Seven Architecture/Leo A Daly JV
La Casa is a permanent supportive housing facility designed for the District of Columbia
La Casa Permanent Supportive Housing is the first permanent supportive housing project for the Department of Human Services
La Casa Permanent Supportive Housing, by Studio Twenty Seven Architecture/Leo A Daly JV
Rather than function as a shelter, La Casa will provide permanent, supportive housing for forty men
La Casa is a permanent supportive housing facility designed for the District of Columbia
La Casa Permanent Supportive Housing is the first permanent supportive housing project for the Department of Human Services
Inside La Casa Permanent Supportive Housing, by Studio Twenty Seven Architecture/Leo A Daly JV
The North Parker, by Jonathan Segal FAI (Photo: Matthew Segal)
The North Parker comprises an affordable housing project with 27 units (Photo: Matthew Segal)
The North Parker also features four commercial spaces (Photo: Matthew Segal)
The North Parker's commercial spaces consist of two restaurants, a beer-tasting bar, and an architectural office (Photo: Matthew Segal)
The North Parker, by Jonathan Segal FAI (Photo: Matthew Segal)
The North Parker comprises an affordable housing project with 27 units (Photo: Matthew Segal)
The North Parker also features four commercial spaces (Photo: Matthew Segal)
Studhorse, by Olson Kundig Architects (Photo: Benjamin Benschneider)
Studhorse, by Olson Kundig Architects is based in the isolated Methow Valley, Winthrop, Washington (Photo: Benjamin Benschneider)
Studhorse draws its design cues from the concept of a series of circled wagons (Photo: Benjamin Benschneider)
Studhorse comprises four separate buildings which surround a central courtyard (Photo: Benjamin Benschneider)
AIA says that Studhorse was constructed with modest materials, including a concrete fireplace and floor, and an OSB (Oriented Strand Board) ceiling (Photo: Benjamin Benschneider)
Studhorse, by Olson Kundig Architects (Photo: Benjamin Benschneider)
Studhorse, by Olson Kundig Architects is based in the isolated Methow Valley, Winthrop, Washington (Photo: Benjamin Benschneider)
Marlboro Music: Five Cottages, by HGA Architects and Engineers
Marlboro Music: Five Cottages, by HGA Architects and Engineers comprises five new cottages
The design of Marlboro Music was inspired by a Cape Cod cottage, a 400-year old typology derived from 17th century English settlers
Marlboro Music: Five Cottages, by HGA Architects and Engineers
Inside Marlboro Music: Five Cottages, by HGA Architects and Engineers
Inside Marlboro Music: Five Cottages, by HGA Architects and Engineers
Inside Marlboro Music: Five Cottages, by HGA Architects and Engineers
Old Briar, by Applied Research is Located in rural Lauderdale County
"This is such a delightful surprise. Convincingly regional and modern all at once," says the AIA judges on Old Briar, by Applied Research
The name of the project, Old Briar, arose from a childhood tale
Old Briar was the name of the client's grandfather's pick-up truck
"Convincingly regional and modern all at once," says the AIA judges on Old Briar, by Applied Research
Inside Old Briar, by Applied Research
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has revealed the winners of its 2015 Housing Awards
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The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has revealed the winners of its 2015 Housing Awards. Established to promote the best in housing design, the awards offer an opportunity to check out what the influential body sees as the cream of the current crop of American homes.

A total of 10 winners are split into the following categories: One/Two Family Custom Housing, Multifamily Housing, and Special Housing. The winners are dominated by high-end luxurious houses and affordable housing for low-income, vulnerable and elderly people. Below, we pick a few standout examples.

Bridge House – Joeb Moore + Partners Architects

Bridge House,by Joeb Moore & Partners was commissioned by a retired couple who desired a greater connection to the natural world (Photo: David Sundberg/Esto)

Bridge House, by Greenwich, Connecticut-based firm Joeb Moore + Partners Architects, was commissioned by a retired couple who wanted a greater connection to the natural world. Judging from the photos at least, the 464 sq m (5,000 sq ft) residence pulls this off, and despite its considerable size, takes its place very well within the surrounding rural landscape.

The design of Bridge House and the liberal use of large windows ensures maximum natural light permeates the interior, and the temperature is largely governed passively. Louvres and overhangs mitigate solar heat gain, while cross-ventilation keeps the interior naturally cool.

Broadway Affordable Housing – Kevin Daly Architects

Broadway Affordable Housing, by Kevin Daly Architects is an attractive housing project for low-income families on the Westside of Los Angeles

Santa Monica, California-based Broadway Affordable Housing, by Kevin Daly Architects, is an attractive housing project for low-income families on the west side of Los Angeles. Measuring a total of 3,086 sq m (33,225 sq ft), the three-story, four-building complex comprises 33 housing units with between two and three bedrooms. The units cost between US$560 and $1,300 per month.

Well-situated for nearby bike lanes and public transportation, Broadway Affordable Housing also boasts some practical sustainable design. Each room enjoys natural light and passive ventilation, while a green roof insulates and reduces rainwater runoff. The novel window frame design aims to mitigate solar heat gain, and a vegetative screen wall both insulates and reflects noise. In addition, an underground cistern collects rainwater for irrigation use. Though they don't contain air conditioning, the units reportedly maintain a comfortable interior temperature year-round.

Studhorse – Olson Kundig Architects

Studhorse, by Olson Kundig Architects is based in the isolated Methow Valley, Winthrop, Washington (Photo: Benjamin Benschneider)

Studhorse, by Olson Kundig Architects is based in the isolated Methow Valley, Winthrop, Washington, and draws design cues from the concept of a series of circled wagons.

The home comprises four separate buildings which surround a central courtyard, and each one is oriented to make the most of the view. Public areas, including family room and kitchen, are in the main building, while bedrooms and den are in another building. Guest rooms are in the third building, and the final building houses a plush sauna. AIA says the home was constructed with modest materials, including a concrete fireplace and floor, and an OSB (Oriented Strand Board) ceiling.

Head to the gallery to see images and brief descriptions of the other seven winners of the American Institute of Architects 2015 Housing Awards.

Source: AIA

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1 comment
Douglas Bennett Rogers
The sun room over basement style is fairly sustainable because of insulating glass.