AIA’s 2019 Housing Awards: America's best new homes revealed

A 'Tiny Tower' designed to fit an awkward plot; an 'Off-Grid Guesthouse' with stunning views of California's coastline; a student village at UC Santa Barbara; and nine other projects were revealed yesterday as the winners of the AIA's 2019 Housing Awards. The recipients, which span four different categories—from single family homes to specialized housing—were selected for demonstrating design excellence and evaluated for being "sustainable, affordable, durable, innovative, socially impactful, meeting clients needs, and addressing the natural and built contexts." 

Now in its 19th year, the annual awards highlight the best in housing design by US-licensed firms. Have a look at the winning projects below.

One/Two Family Custom Housing: Recognizes outstanding designs for custom and remodeled homes for specific client(s).

↑  Georgica Cove in East Hampton, NY by Bates Masi + Architects

↑  Mirror Point in Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia by MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects Limited

↑  Off-Grid Guesthouse in Central Coast, California by Anacapa, Wilson Design

One/Two Family Production Housing: Recognizes excellent design of homes built for the speculative market. 

↑  Tiny Tower in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania by ISA

↑  Oak Park Housing in Sacramento, California by Johnsen Schmaling Architects

Multifamily Housing: Recognizes outstanding apartment and condominium design, including high- and low-density projects for public and private clients. 

↑  Bigwin Island Club Cabins in Baysville, Ontario by MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects

↑  Bill Sorro Community in San Francisco, California by Kennerly Architecture & Planning

↑  Jefferson Park Apartments in Cambridge, Massachusetts by Abacus Architects + Planners

↑  Lofts at Mayo Park in Rochester, Minnesota by Snow Kreilich Architects

↑  Pierhouse in Brooklyn, New York by Marvel Architects

Specialized Housing: Recognizes outstanding design of housing that meets the unique needs of other specialized housing types like single room occupancy residences (SROs), independent living for the disabled, residential rehabilitation programs, domestic violence shelters, and other special housing.

↑  San Joaquin Villages at UC Santa Barbara in Goleta, California by SOM, Lorcan O'Herlihy Architects, Kevin Daly Architects, and Kieran Timberlake

↑  Skyline Residence in Waltham, Massachusetts by William Rawn Associates, Architects, Inc.