Winners of the 2008 Design Excellence Awards

By Erika Schnitzer, Associate EditorDenver—The winners of the 2008 Design Excellence awards were announced in September at Multi-Housing World. Projects were chosen based on a number of criteria, including overall composition, functionality, aesthetics, special attributes and sustainable elements, if applicable.Click here to see all the 2008 finalists.The panel comprised of five industry professionals, including Darin Schoolmeester, AIA, LEED AP and principal at MVE & Partners in Irvine, Calif.; Susan Slotkis, Allied Member ASID, author of Foundations of Interior Design and adjunct assistant professor at F.I.T. in New York; and Bruce Englebaugh, AIA, partner at Minno & Wasko in Lambertville, N.J. Joining them were Christine Hunter, AIA, LEED AP and a principal at Magnusson Architecture and Planning PC in New York and Jonathan Baron, Allied Member ASID and principal of New York-based Baron Design Inc.The awards were produced by Veritas through Robin Reigi. You can see details about Veritas at www.robin-reigi.comThe following are the 2008 Design Excellence awards winners, along with the judges’ comments for each.High-Rise5th & MadisonSeattle, WADeveloper: Beacon Capital/Kennedy WilsonArchitect/Interior Design: ruffcorn mott hinthorne stineBuilder: Turner ConstructionJudges’ Comments: Original; the exposure of the colored stainless steel shingles gives it real character; great site development; simple, striking facade; site-responsive; urbane.Mid-Rise25 Bond StreetNew YorkDeveloper: Goldman PropertiesArchitect/Interior Designer: BKSK Architects LLPBuilder: Ideal ConstructionJudges’ Comments: Very original; unusual but respectful of the neighborhood.Low-RiseColony at Bandon Cove (for sale)Bandon, ORDeveloper: Bandon Land Development Co, LLCArchitect, Interior Designer: Myhre Group ArchitectsBuilder: Joseph Hughes ConstructionJudges’ Comments: Refined; intellectual; contemporary forms are very warm but it’s still contextual; great plans.Icon at Doyle (for rent)Emeryville, CADeveloper: Prometheus REGArchitect: Kwan Henmi Architecture/Planning, Sternberg Benjamin ArchitectsInterior Designer: CDC DesignBuilder: West BuilderJudges’ Comments: Effective massing; complex geometry makes for interesting spaces; subtle adaptive reuse; nice materials.Merit Award:Arthouse at Keller Town Center Keller, TXDeveloper/Builder: Southern Land CompanyArchitect: Looney Ricks Kiss Architects Inc.Interior Designer: Southern Land Company Mixed-Use LumaLos AngelesDeveloper: The South GroupArchitect/Interior Designer: Ankrom Moisan Associated ArchitectsBuilder: Howard S. Right Construction CompanyJudges’ Comments: Groundbreaking; experimental as a high-rise in LA; nice common spaces; detailed outdoor roof; complex site plan; nice activation of ground floor with pedestrian use.GreenMillennium Tower ResidencesNew YorkDeveloper: Millennium PartnersArchitect/Interior Designer: Handel Architects LLPBuilder: Gotham Construction CompanyJudges’ Comments: Well-appointed; much-considered mechanics; well thought-out water treatment; luxurious with family-centered features and amenities.Adaptive ReuseRail Yard Lofts (for sale)DenverOwner/Investor: Siegel InvestmentsArchitect: Van Meter Williams Pollack LLPBuilder: Palace ConstructionJudges’ Comments: Very creative use of deteriorated industrial facility that might otherwise have been torn down; gorgeous.The Cathedral Building (for rent)Sacramento, CADeveloper: 12th & K Street Mall Partners, LLCArchitect/Interior Designer: Fletcher Farr AyotteBuilder: Walsh & Forster Inc.Judges’ Comments: A great building for rent; cleanly detailed and executed on the outside, yet simple and contemporary; great interiors.Seniors/Active AdultMerit Award:Parkview TerracesSan FranciscoDeveloper: AF Evans/China Community Development CenterPlanning Architect: Kwan Henmi ArchitectureConsulting Architect: Fougeron ArchitectureInterior Designer: Kwan Henmi, FougeronBuilder: Cahill ContractorsStudent Housing Crimson Hall, Bridgewater State CollegeBridgewater, MADeveloper: Bridgewater State CollegeArchitect/Interior Designer: DiMella ShafferBuilder: Walsh BrothersJudges’ Comments: Quality materials used; good response to traffic patterns on campus.Workforce HousingPuerta del SolLos AngelesDeveloper: AMCAL Homes, Inc., W.O.R.K.S.Architect: Newman, Garrison, Gilmour + PartnersInterior Designer: JAG InteriorsBuilder: AMCAL General ContractorsJudges’ Comments: Innovative units; good site development; respectful of its community; varied but consistent.AffordableThe SuttonHarlem, NYDeveloper: Duvernay + Brooks/Pennrose Properties/HCCIArchitect: Magnusson Architecture and Planning, PCInterior Designer: Paul LathamBuilder: West Manor Construction Corp.Judges’ Comments: Clean; rich in materials; restrained in massing of buildings; good response to the street.Merit Award:Gateway ApartmentsSan DiegoDeveloper/Builder: MacFarlane Costa Housing PartnersArchitect: John Maple ArchitectsInterior Designer: Inside MattersTraditional Neighborhood Design/New UrbanismPark VillageFort Belvoir, VADeveloper: Clark Realty Capital, LLCArchitect: The RKtects Studio, Inc.Builder: Clark Builders Group LLCJudges’ Comments: Sensitive development that incorporates existing developments to create an effective community; simple; pedestrian-friendly; fits the traditional model of middle America.Transit-OrientedPacificaLong Beach, CADeveloper: Lennar South Coast Home BuildingArchitect: Withee Malcolm ArchitectsBuilder: SL Residential, Inc.Judges’ Comments: Pretty; fresh; new.UnbuiltMirabella South WaterfrontPortland, OROwner/Investor: Pacific Retirement ServicesArchitect/Interior Designer: Ankrom Moisan Associated ArchitectsBuilder: Hoffman Construction CompanyJudges’ Comments: Very thoughtful; it’s like a piece of jewelry.Interior DesignMidtown Bethesda North Condominiums North Bethesda, MDDeveloper: KettlerInterior Designer: ForrestPerkinsArchitect (base building): Dorsky Hodgson Parish Yue ArchitectsBuilder: Bovis Lend LeaseJudges’ Comments: Great use of space; simple but well though-out interiors.