For 32 years our Annual HOUSES Issue has honored homes of distinction. The award-winning projects are chosen because they demonstrate key design/build lessons. HOUSES has evolved over the past three decades and it continues to do so. This year the bulk of the content is online—a move we believe will appeal to a new generation of builders. As is the case every year, choosing the winners was both a pleasure and a challenge, but we feel confident in our selection.

Here are the award-winning houses:

Best Remodel

Sixteen on Center takes this year’s Best Remodel Award for their work rehabilitating and revitalizing this Greek Revival cottage in Tiverton Rhode Island. Outside they stayed true to the original home’s traditional style, while distinguishing the back/side additions with a more modern aesthetic. Inside they created a livable open floor plan with eclectic details.

Best Energy-Smart Home

The Best Energy-Smart Home Award recognizes an architect and two dogged DIYers committed to building the most ecologically responsible house possible. Its simple structure belies the complexities of the build. Ten years in the making, this certified Passive House in Carnation, Washington, is a study in conservation building science and one couple’s unfailing grit.

Best Small Home

At about a thousand square feet smaller than the average home built in 2018, our Best Small Home Award goes to Atlanta architect Alex Wu for his infill spec home. Built on a 20-ft.-wide lo,t the project’s success hinged on Alex winning a significant variance from the zoning board and still designing a comfortable home within a 14-ft. by 56-ft. footprint.

Best Traditional Home

This year’s Best Traditional Home Award goes to Frank Shirley Architects for their work on this Tudor Revival remodel. In a neighborhood known for its historic 19th- and 20th-century Revival-style architecture, the team remodeled a humdrum home with Tudor flair. The house has a winning combination of authentic style, flawless craftsmanship, and modern livability.

Best New Home

We chose this compact home for our Best New Home Award because of the way in which the homeowners worked with the design-build team to pinpoint areas of compromise in order to maximize efficiencies. Though the budget didn’t allow for the expenses attached to Passive House standards, the couple was committed to a high level of performance. Their straightforward no-nonsense house has good bones and farmhouse charm in tune with its idyllic setting.

Editors Choice

This year’s Editors Choice Award goes to the team behind Recon Ranch. Their site-specific design strategies not only addressed tricky challenges, they also bestowed the house with an overall feel-good quality. The lengths to which they went to protect the coastal riparian habitat that characterizes the property are truly admirable. They also took multiple measures to ensure the house will perform and age well despite its rugged environment.

 

More about the Fine Homebuilding HOUSES Awards:

2019 Readers’ Choice Award winner – Every year we let our readers pick their favorite home.

Submit Your Home for the 2020 Awards – You have until JULY 20, 2019, to be considered for next year’s awards.

HOUSES Awards Archive – See all the winning homes from past years.

HOUSES Awards Videos – Watch video tours of select winners from past years.