About the HOUSES Awards

Fine Homebuilding magazine’s annual HOUSES Awards celebrate some of the most well-designed and well-built homes in North America. In doing so, we offer a snapshot of the most progressive design ideas and construction techniques being executed by today’s architects and builders. Winners are featured in the pages of the June issue of Fine Homebuilding as well as here online. Unlike other architecture awards programs, the editorial coverage is deep, comprehensive, and practical. Not only do we recognize winning houses for the quality of their design, we also highlight valuable lessons that can inform and inspire designers, builders, and homeowners across the globe.

How We Evaluate Submissions

We’re always on the lookout for homes that showcase craftsmanship, energy efficiency, and smart design. From cozy cottages to urban lofts, from seaside getaways to starter homes on a budget, we want to hear about your project. This awards program is not limited to new homes. We’re also eager to see remodels that breathe new life into tired old houses. So submit your own projects to be considered for next year's awards.

Our basic criteria for evaluating all HOUSES submissions includes:

• Appropriate siting and orientation
• Success of floor plans at meeting homeowner’s needs
• The building envelope design and construction techniques
• Balance of budget, cost, and value
• Practical and innovative use of materials and finishes
• Energy-efficiency, durability, and maintenance requirements
• Style-appropriate details and quality of craftsmanship
• Relationship of home, landscape, and outdoor spaces

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Awards Descriptions

Best New Home

For our Best New Home, we look for the project that successfully met its design challenges with a superior level of craftsmanship and detail appropriate to its architectural style.

Best Remodel

Our Best Remodel award goes to the project that successfully identified problems with an existing house and solved them with practical design solutions and construction techniques.

Editor’s Choice

The Editor’s Choice award is sure to stir debate in our office. Designed to recognize innovation, aesthetics, or ingenuity (or a combination of all three), this award always offers a surprise.

Readers’ Choice

We take a good cross section of our top submissions and put them in an online contest where our readers get to pick their favorite house. Keep your eye out for the next Readers’ Choice contest in early 2021.