MICHIGAN BUILDER AND DESIGNER GARNER NATIONAL DESIGN AWARD

ORLANDO, Fla., Feb. 9 –A recreation building built at a private residence in western Michigan has been honored with a Platinum Award as the best in the category Interior Design: Specialty or Outdoor Room as part of the 2011 Best in American Living Awards (BALA) by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

The architect and designer for the project was AMDG Architects in Grand Rapids., Mich., the builder was Mike Schaap Builders Inc. of Holland, Mich., and the interior designer was Via Design of Grand Rapids.

The building can accommodate large or small groups comfortably as soft boundaries allow gathering areas to flow into one another. Generous amounts of glass and a flowing window wall offer expansive views of the site, while allowing indoor and outdoor living spaces to complement one another. The building envelope, structural roof trusses, and support brackets are rendered with detailing of metal, wood, and stone. Acoustics of the open spaces are managed with ceiling detailing that incorporate gaps between alternately wide and narrow wood planks concealing an acoustical cavity.

"Yet again in 2011, entries from across the nation continue to push the limits of design and innovation while providing insights into tomorrow’s design trends," said Lynne Pratt, 2011 design committee chairman and president of Pratt Building Co. in Auburn Hills, Mich.

The judges commented, “The ceiling is phenomenal and the floor plan creates a feeling of fun. The furniture placement, along with the built-ins, floor plan, and other detailing creates a warm and inviting environment.”

Now in its 28^th year, BALA recognizes outstanding achievement by builders and design professionals in all sectors of the residential housing industry including single-family production, custom, rental, affordable, interiors, remodeling, community and international, based on the principle that good design is not and should not be limited to high-priced and/or custom homes.  Even the simplest, most affordable homes can receive an award if they showcase good design.   

Award winners were announced during the annual NAHB International Builders’ Show in Orlando.

Additional information about the BALA program can be found at www.nahb.org/BALA, including the 2011 BALA Portfolio, featuring a review of design trends and scores of project photographs.

ABOUT NAHB: The National Association of Home Builders is a Washington-based trade association representing more than 140,000 members involved in home building, remodeling, multifamily construction, property management, subcontracting, design, housing finance, building product manufacturing and other aspects of residential and light commercial construction. NAHB is affiliated with 800 state and local home builders associations around the country. NAHB's builder members will construct about 80 percent of the new housing units projected for this year.