Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/579640
COURTESY METRONATIONAL LUIS AYALA RAME HRUSKA RESIDENTIAL SUSTAINABLE DESIGN BY AN INTERIOR OR ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNER FIRST PLACE: INTEXURE ARCHITECTS, LEAD ARCHITECTS RUSSELL HRUSKA AND RAME HRUSKA COMMERCIAL SUSTAINABLE DESIGN BY AN INTERIOR OR ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNER FIRST PLACE: STUDIO RED ARCHITECTS, LEAD ARCHITECT PETE ED GARRETT; PROJECT DEVELOPER GLENN FURHMAN OF METRONATIONAL; LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT JERECK BOSS OF THE OFFICE OF JAMES BURNETT; CREATIVE DESIGN DICK LEW OF ACUMEN DESIGN; LIGHTING DESIGN KRISTIN PICKAR-KNUSSMANN OF LIGHTING DESIGN ALLIANCE. PROJECT: Tripartite House DESIGN CONCEPT: Set in an urban neighborhood, this home is divided into three stacked zones that address the divisions of public and private space. The first floor extends outward, engaging views in the public realm with large expanses of glass-filled cast-in-place concrete walls. The second floor utilizes solid forms focused inward to private spaces and screened views such as the zinc-clad cantilevered volume that floats above the entry. The third floor opens upward to capture rooftop views, where one can enjoy the evening skyline and sunset above the fray. The architect owners designed the home for their family with young children. They located it adjacent to their architecture studio and a series of neighboring homes they have built that combine urban infill with green space. The home is anticipated to receive LEED Platinum status through the use of sustainable materials and energy-minded features including high-performance insulation and AC system. An expandable southwesterly solar array is designed to offer future energy independence. Glazing features a hydrophilic nanocoating with self-cleaning properties. Rainwater is harvested in a modular underground collection system connected to a koi pond and bio-filtration feature at the entry, designed to meet the site's landscape- irrigation demand. Sustainable materials add both beauty and durability, integrating with the design of the home. JUDGES' REMARKS: "While using sustainable materials, the architect was able to create a most inviting and elegant environment." — Jan Showers "Wonderful modern concept executed beautifully. Great materials blended seamlessly." — Barbara Westbrook PROJECT: MetroNational's The Treehouse Memorial City DESIGN CONCEPT: The Treehouse is a two-story 14,700-square- foot building that evokes a modern-day tree house with unique angles and finishes. Serving as MetroNational's development office, meeting space and showroom, it was recently certified LEED Platinum, earning the highest points in the state of Texas. Like a tree, the building is organic, with curved and angled walls, secret nooks and crannies, and outdoor spaces to experience nature. Natural light floods from various angles and is deflected through fritted- glass windows, while a wraparound balcony provides seating areas and a working stainless- steel fireplace is suspended from the third floor. As technologically advanced as it is ecologically aware, The Treehouse has on-demand wireless connectivity, wireless screen sharing and interactive whiteboards for seamless collaboration. Monitors in the lobby continuously display media including weather, traffic and energy-saving metrics for The Treehouse itself. JUDGES' REMARKS: "What wonderful unexpected architecture! The complexity of the design is impressive. and the fact that it is sustainable makes it even more impressive." — Barbara Westbrook "Considered, ambitious, adventurous." — Rachel Ashwell HONORABLE MENTION: Design House, lead designer Connie LeFevre, for Conversion of Community Outreach Arts Academy HISTORICAL, RESTORATION/PRESERVATION FIRST PLACE: KINNEYMORROW ARCHITECTURE, LEAD ARCHITECTS MICHAEL MORROW AND TARYN KINNEY PROJECT: Decatur Street House DESIGN CONCEPT: The Decatur Street House, built in 1894, is located in Houston's Old Sixth Ward Historic District. A young couple sought to restore, renovate and add on to the neglected property for their first home. Kinneymorrow Architecture maintained the original exterior materials and detailing, while updating and organizing the interior to reflect a contemporary lifestyle. Over the years, the interior had been divided and redivided, producing a warren of small, dark, nonsensical rooms. Removing these ill-conceived interventions allowed the house to once again become a single-family home. The new design situated the social spaces along the side yard, while the bedrooms and service spaces make up the opposite side of the house. Previous ad hoc additions and outbuildings were removed to make room for a modest addition, which was created by extruding the original façade profile toward the back of the lot. A change in floor level distinguishes the old and new parts of the structure (approximately 900 and 700 square feet, respectively), and the house retains the original scale and character of the property when viewed from the street. JUDGES' REMARKS: "A successful breath of new life." — Rachel Ashwell "What a fantastic job of modernizing an historical house — great use of color with inviting seating areas." — Jan Showers "Completely charming." — Barbara Westbrook HONORABLE MENTION: JD Bartell Designs, designer JD Bartell, for 1416 Arlington in the Heights