2024 DDA: Homes

Modern marvels and traditional beauties take center stage.

This remarkable home — by Cranbrook Custom Homes — not only overlooks the Rouge River, but won first place in the New Model Home category. Photo by Sasha Marceta – Skyview Experts.


HISTORIC RENOVATION/RESTORATION (50 YEARS OR OLDER)

1st Place

Maison Birmingham
Photo by: Martin Vecchio

Nestled against the Rouge River, this 1920s residence underwent updates over the years that resulted in an awkward layout. By combining the laundry and mudroom, the designers were able to enlarge the kitchen. Then, to embrace the original character and history of the home while ensuring a functional family space, the designer added open shelving, chunky island legs, and vintage wood tones, and kept the original milk door.

2nd Place

Craighall Interiors
Photo by: Justin Maconochie

3rd Place

Annie Kordas Interiors
Photo by: Kat Stevenson Photography


SMALL-SPACE REMODEL (UP TO 1,000 SQUARE FEET)

1st Place

AMW Design Studio with Wechsler Construction
Photo by: Martin Vecchio

Prior to undergoing a renovation, this lower-level space had a 1980s feel. By replacing the full kitchen with an updated kitchenette and reconfiguring a few key walls, the space was successfully transformed into a family-friendly spot that’s both stylish and comfortable.

2nd Place

Maison Birmingham
Photo by: Martin Vecchio

3rd Place

Concetti
Photo by: Brett Mountain Photography, LLC


LARGE REMODEL (More than 1,000 Square Feet)

1st Place

Patrick Thompson Design
Photo by: John D’Angelo

The renovation of this David Osler-designed residence in Ann Arbor aimed to uncover its Mid-century Modern bones while fashioning a comfortable home. Wide-plank white oak floors and clean white walls are the perfect backdrop for both the residents’ art collection and the surrounding greenery that’s visible from the home’s floor- to-ceiling windows. This elevated residence is proof that the smallest details pack the biggest punch.

2nd Place

Katie Rodriguez Design with Krieger Klatt Architects
Photo by: Martin Vecchio

3rd Place

M.J. Whelan Construction
Photo by: Wayup Media


ADDITION PROJECT (Architecture)

1st Place

MainStreet Design Build
Photo by: Jeff Garland

This spacious one-acre Bloomfield Hills residence offered room for an expansion that includes a luxurious first-floor primary suite, an open kitchen, expanded family and dining rooms, and captivating outdoor areas. The 2007 French country home’s intricate details, such as glazed brick designs and handcrafted corbels, were meticulously preserved to maintain its distinct charm during the seamless integration of the new spaces.

2nd Place

Heller & Associates with Dana Jacob Designs
and Mosher Design Co.

Photo by: Wayup Media

3rd Place

Kevin Hart and Associates with Kemler Building
Photo by: Andrew Toteff


APARTMENT/LOFT/CONDO

1st Place

CBI Design Professionals Inc. with
Colleen Farrell Design and Vogue Furniture

Photo by: Beth Singer

This Birmingham penthouse condo exudes a comfortable, modern feel that retains some of its traditional values. The condo came with glass curtain walls overlooking an exterior balcony, with distant views of downtown Detroit. All of the primary spaces were strategically placed to take advantage of that view. Barrel-vaulted ceilings add a traditional feel and conceal ventilation, lighting, and other functional requirements. Space was a significant premium, so overlapping uses and the layout’s efficiency were important.

2nd Place

MainStreet Design Build
Photo by: Jeff Garland

3rd Place

Concetti
Photo by: Brett Mountain Photography, LLC


VACATION HOME IN MICHIGAN

1st Place

Allegretti Architects Inc.
Photo by: James Haefner

Tasked with building a new structure next to the client’s existing home that would include both a pool and a guest house, the design team’s goal was to foster the cohesive integration of nature within the residence — from the indigenous landscaping to capturing sunlight through skylights and wide windows. All materials for this build were sustainably sourced or produced within 500 miles of the site.

2nd Place

White & Liebler Architects
with Wentworth Builders

Photo by: Jacqueline Southby

3rd Place

Brooke Schwartz Interiors
Photo by: Lisa Spindler


NEW MODEL HOME (Architecture)

“Located on a bluff overlooking the Rouge River, this home was specifically designed for the site.”

— Cranbrook Custom Homes

1st Place

Cranbrook Custom Homes
Photo by: Sasha Marceta — Skyview Experts

Located on a bluff overlooking the Rouge River, this home was specifically designed for the site. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer breathtaking views of the backyard, while the exterior — which juxtaposes rough-cut Michigan granite with clean-lined stained wood siding and cool-colored brick — is a reflection of both the natural materials found in the surrounding environment and the home’s overall urban setting.

2nd Place

TR Design Group with Cobblestone Homes
Photo by: Michael Robb ­­— Ohno Design

3rd Place

Toll Brothers
Photo by: Wayup Media


CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURE (MORE THAN 4,000 SQUARE FEET)

1st Place

McIntosh Poris Architects
Photo by: Justin Maconochie

The architects designed a new single-family house on a 12-acre site that includes stables and a pasture for the owners — a car designer and a dressage instructor. The owners’ request also called for an aesthetic that evokes the timelessness of the Mid-century furniture they own. By sticking to simple authentic materials that have been used in construction for hundreds of years, the house avoids the stylistic flourishes that would identify it with a specific time period.

2nd Place

Allegretti Architects Inc.
Photo by: John Allegretti

3rd Place

Oak Street Design
Photo by: Linea Photo


CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURE (UP TO 4,000 SQUARE FEET)

1st Place

Heller & Associates with
Davis & Davis Interior Design

Photo by: Mike Kline

Nestled within nature, this home exemplifies the melding of modern design principles with the pure aesthetics of the Prairie style by offering a panoramic experience that underscores harmony, balance, and a deep connection with the environment. The home integrates the expansiveness of open spaces with the flat landscapes and organic elements intrinsic to Prairie design. The result is a living structure that feels rooted in history, yet relevant in the contemporary world.

2nd Place

Arik Green Design with Petrucci Homes
Photo by: Justin Maconochie

3rd Place

DesRosiers Architects
Photo by: James Haefner


TRADITIONAL ARCHITECTURE (UP TO 4,000 SQUARE FEET)

1st Place

Brian Neeper Architecture, P.C. with
PRM Custom Builders and Katie Rodriguez Design

Photo by: Martin Vecchio

The distinguishing feature of this Birmingham home is the front-facing stair tower with corner windows that flood the foyer and upper hall with natural light. The design is heavily influenced by the vernacular architecture from the 1920s and 1930s found along the Woodward corridor. The interior showcases rich detail that’s understated yet elegant, and manages to maintain the warmth and comfort of a well-loved family home.

2nd Place

TR Design Group
Photo by: WayUp Media

3rd Place

Craighall Interiors
Photo by: Justin Maconochie


TRADITIONAL ARCHITECTURE (MORE THAN 4,000 SQUARE FEET)

1st Place

Brian Neeper Architecture, P.C. with
Ellwood Interiors Inc. and Alpine Construction

Photo by: Martin Vecchio

Drawing inspiration from traditional Mediterranean villas, this home’s living spaces stretch out around a central courtyard terrace. The partially covered courtyard is a functional outdoor living space that has strong visual and physical connections to the interior. Inside, the open west-facing exposure floods the interior with light while natural materials, bold forms, handsome fixtures, and contrasting colors provide an undeniable sense of richness.

2nd Place

Ellwood Interiors Inc. with Victoria Vanderport,
Petrucci Homes, and Krieger Klatt Architectss

Photo by: Diana Paulson

3rd Place

Martini Samartino Design Group with
Town Building Company and Ellwood Interiors Inc.

Photo by: Karl Moses


OVERALL HOME

1st Place

Heller & Associates with Pamela Singer & Associates
Photo by: Wayup Media

This Bloomfield Hills home epitomizes the harmonious union of nature and architectural innovation, and brings forth a modern rendition of classic Prairie design. Low-pitched roofs, overhanging eaves, and a strong emphasis on horizontality mirror the expansive lake the residence overlooks. In this home, the past and the present converge, traditions are revered, and nature is honored. It’s a sanctuary where the timeless beauty of the prairies meets the boundless possibilities of modern design.

2nd Place

Brian Neeper Architecture, P.C. with
Ellwood Interiors Inc. and Alpine Construction

Photo by: Martin Vecchio

3rd Place

Martini Samartino Design Group with
La Marco Homes and Art | Harrison Interiors

Photo by: Karl Moses


Detroit Design Awards 2024

Judges
Details
Exteriors
Interiors
Homes
Commercial Design
Rising Star
Readers’ Choice