Residential Design Awards

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2012

finding an architect that’s right for youA great place to start is the listing of residential archi-tects featured in this publication. Check out the firms’ websites and ask acquaintances if they are familiar with them. Ask homebuilders or remodeling contractors for recommendations, and don’t forget to keep an eye out for yard signs in your neighborhood. Nothing shows off an architect’s work better than the real thing.

Once you have a few candidates in mind, contact them for an initial interview. Architects are eager to describe their design approach, show you examples of their work and provide you with references. We’re confident you will find one whose process, expertise and personality are right for you.

The Cincinnati Chapters of the American Institute of Architects and Custom Residential Architects Network announce the recipients of our fourth annual Residential Design Awards.

All of the award-winning homes highlighted in these pages have one thing in common—an architect who used creativity, problem solving skills and expertise in building systems to create a remarkable place to live.

It’s a common misconception that architects only design public buildings such as office buildings and schools. As these projects illustrate, this is hardly the case. Many archi-tects specialize in residential design, providing design services for projects ranging from a new custom home to a kitchen or outdoor entertainment space.

Residential architects come in all shapes and sizes. Some prefer clean, modern lines, while others favor more traditional styles. Most are proficient in a range of styles, responding to the wishes of each client, or the character of the home or neighborhood. Many architects have a high degree of expertise in green design, while others have considerable experience addressing the specific needs of older adults and aging-in-place. You will find that architects are knowledgeable, willing to listen and eager to develop a solution that’s tailored to meet your needs.

MISSION STATEMENTThe purpose of the Custom Residential Architects

Network (CRAN) is to provide a continuing forum for advocating and enhancing residential

architecture by all individuals, that share a common interest in improving the quality of the

homes and communities we live in.

The 2012 AIA Cincinnati/CRANawards

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drawing department This suburban house was comprised of a series of small rooms arranged in a manner befitting a different era. By combining the small introverted kitchen with the adjacent dining room, the renovation produced a communal space suitable for prepar-ing, eating and conversing with the kitchen serving as a stage. Rooted in restraint, meticulous detailing, clean lines and rich material palette, the new kitchen embraces the spatial limitations to create an invigorating place to celebrate time together.

Addition/RemodelBest Overall Project

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John Senhauser Architects The house is loosely defined by a series of thick, parallel walls supporting planar roof elements floating above the desert floor. The approach was to not only reinforce the general intentions of the architecture but to more clearly articulate its meaning. By adopting a limited palette of desert materials, continuity was provided to the uniquely differentiated spaces.

Residential InteriorHonor Award

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John Senhauser Architects The stair was conceived with the concept of entering the house and seeing the mountains beyond. The light lines of the treads, stringers and railing are beautifully juxtaposed against the horizontal stone work giving the stair the effect of defying gravity.

Architectural DetailHonor Award

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RWA Architects This French inspired residence exceeds the requirements of Platinum certification for the LEED for homes program by employing a variety of strategies including geothermal heating and cooling, photovoltaic panels, cisterns for harvesting rain water, high efficiency plumbing, energy efficient lighting and materials that were locally sourced.

Green/SustainableHonor Award

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drawing department This research and design investigation centers on the repurposing of shipping skids into an integrated residential construction strategy. When aggressively integrated with other passive strategies this case study design supports the use of pallets as a sustainable ideology with the capacity to assume a generative role.

Un-Built/VisionaryHonor Award

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RWA Architects The house incorporates an eclectic yet unified collection of forms organized around a central three story stone tower. The forms rotate around the tower to engage the curving topography and feature the existing pool. The rustic aesthetics include the use of field stone, cut stone, stained wood timbers, copper gutters and clay roof tiles.

New Custom HomeMerit Award

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SFA Architects This Carl Straus House was saved from the ravages of neglect by a thoughtful and well executed renovation. The archi-tect recognized the inherent value of the house’s “bones”, the beauty of its form and how it’s perfectly nestled in the woods. Spaces were reassigned so that the formal living room and dining room became continuous, allowing the once small family room to expand into adjacent spaces.

Addition/RemodelMerit Award

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Tilsley and Associates The addition of two structures create vi-sual boundaries that define and enhance the outdoor spaces of this wooded site. The garage and pool house continue the com-positional principles of the residence by using cubic volumes and floating roof planes in a modernist architectural language.

drawing department The new space seeks to provide for casual light filled living with the ability to accommodate large gatherings. The single cohesive space is divided into four over-lapping zones of living, working and eating. The architectural response employs a large covered porch to link the interior and exterior spaces while expanding the living areas.

Addition/RemodelHonorable Mention

Addition/RemodelHonorable Mention

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Exterior Environment or StructureHonorable Mention

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Ryan Duebber The solution for this project is centered on ma-nipulating an existing backyard and deck area to create an inte-grated modern outdoor living environment for dining, entertain-ing and playing. The forms, material and details of the exterior living environment create a modern oasis for all to enjoy.

McConnell and Ewing Architects Located at the historic Green-brier Resort, the challenge was to create a master bedroom retreat that more fully provided for the year round needs of the owners. The space and its composition of stone, timber framing and expan-sive glass is related in context to the existing great room but scaled down to create a more intimate space desired by the couple.

Addition/RemodelHonorable Mention

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*Architects Plus, Inc. www.architectsplus.com 513-984-1070

*Cynthia Williams Architectwww.cynthiawilliamsarchitect.com513-321-6444

*drawing deptwww.drawingdept.com513-272-8080

*John Senhauser Architectswww.senhauserarchitects.com513-381-1669

*Kepes Architecturewww.kepesarchitecture.com513-373-2528

*McConnell & Ewing Architects, Inc.www.me-architects.com513-234-0900

*RWA Architects, Inc.www.rwaarchitects.com513-321-9506

*Ryan Duebber Architect, LLCwww.rda-architecture.com513-351-5141

*SFA Architecture, LLCwww.sfa-architects.com513-721-0600

*Tilsley & Associates Architects, Inc.www.tilsleyarchitects.com 513-651-4300

Wilcox Architecturewww.wilcoxarchitecture.com513-271-5238

* Denotes AIA member firm

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Residential InteriorHonorable Mention

additional resources:

American Institute of Architects (AIA)www.aia.org/value

AIA Cincinnatiwww.aiacincinnati.org513.421.4661

Custom Residential Architects Network (CRAN)www.aiacincinnati.org

US Green Building Council (USGBC)www.greenhomeguide.com

“How To Work With An Architect”by Gerald Lee Morosco, AIA

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN ARCHITECT AND OTHER “BUILDING DESIGNERS”?

Like doctors and lawyers, an architect must be licensed by his or her state to practice their pro-fession. To qualify, he or she must earn a 5-6 year professional degree from an accredited school of architecture, complete a three year internship, and pass a rigorous licensing exam that tests for com-petence in building systems and life-safety.

credentials commonly used by architects:

AIA – Member of the American Institute of Architects, the leading professional organization for architects in the United States.

LEED AP – Accredited Professional within the US Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.

residentialarchitects directory

To find out more about these award-winning designs including the complete project team, go to www.aiacincinnati.org and click on “Design”

RWA Architects The original kitchen of a 1920’s Tudor was typical for its time, dark cramped and inefficient by today’s standards. The solution made the space bright and open by incorporating unused adjacent spaces, bringing in natural light and increasing the usable area. The new space has now become the focal point of the house.

The 2012 AIA Cincinnati/CRANawards are sponsored by:

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