Best New Homes Recognized with AIA’s 2022 Housing Awards

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has recognized 14 exceptional residential designs with its 2022 Housing Awards. This prestigious program was established to recognize the best in housing design for new construction, renovations and restorations. The projects were evaluated based on the AIA Framework for Design Excellence, which represents the defining principles of excellent design in the 21st century. 

The judges evaluated entries based on sustainability, affordability, durability, innovation, social impact, and whether the design meets the client's needs and address the natural and built contexts. 

The 14 recipients of the 2022 Housing Awards were selected from eight possible categories, including one- and two-family custom residences, one- and two-family production homes, multifamily housing, specialized housing, excellence in affordable housing, mixed-use community connection, community-engaged design, and universal dwelling design. Among the winners were the Costa Rica Treehouse in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica, designed by Olson Kundig; the Divine House in Eugene, Oregon, designed by Landry Smith Architect; and the Goatbarn Lane in Boulder, Colorado, designed by Renée del Gaudio Architecture. 

The Highland Park Residence in Highland Park, Texas, designed by Alterstudio Architecture, LLP and the Pemberton Residence in Austin, Texas, designed by Alterstudio Architecture LLP also received recognition. In the One- and Two-Family Production Homes category, the Ames House in Atlanta, designed by Alex Wu Architect LLC was awarded the prize. 

In the Specialized Housing category, the Chandler Tiny Homes Village For The Homeless in Los Angeles, designed by Lehrer Architects LA, and the Flor 401 Lofts in Los Angeles, designed by Koning Eizenberg Architecture, Inc., were recognized. 

The awards also honoured two projects in the Excellence in Affordable Housing category: the Ohringer Arts in Pittsburgh, designed by Rothschild Doyno Collaborative, and The Aya in Washington, D.C., designed by Studio Twenty-Seven Architecture and Leo A Daly. 

The 2022 Housing Award recipients represent a diverse range of innovative designs that prioritize sustainability, affordability, and social impact. These award-winning projects demonstrate that excellent design can improve people's lives and the communities they live in.