2016 Marvin Architects Challenge Winners Announced

BEST CONTEMPORARY

Elizabeth Herrmann Elizabeth Herrmann Architecture + Design

Micro House Huntington, Vt.

The Micro House is a newly constructed 430-square-foot artist's home on a property with spectacular views in rural Vermont. The program was simple: a bathroom, sleeping area, kitchen, storage, dining/work table, living space that could double as guest sleeping and a sleeping loft. While open in plan, the living level was sculpted so that each of the different areas of use have definition and a sense of place, without being static or confining, and so that the house could comfortably accommodate visitors. Windows have a wood, shadow-lined surround – a subtle detail to punctuate the openings without detracting from the view.

BEST TRANSITIONAL/
ECLECTIC

Dan Scully

Daniel V. Scully Architects

Edgewater II Harrisville, N.H.

Before the renovation, Edgewater II looked like an inappropriate 1970s spec house, with an aggressively tall and pointed gable toward the water. It was all sliders, a gable full of glass without refinement, and clapboards with tight 'mean' trim. The solution was in the windows, and the trim around them. The project became a total renovation. Sliders and glass gables were replaced with large double hung windows with window muttons. The effect is a shingle-style wall, with surface punched windows of the period, rather than the pseudo-contemporary all-glass look of the original.

BEST TRADITIONAL NEW CONSTRUCTION

Mark Nelson

David Heide Design Studio

Crane Island Retreat Minnetrista, Minn.

For over 100 years, Crane Island has been a summer destination for a few fortunate Minnesota families who move to cooler lake communities for the season. Desiring a return to this lifestyle, the owners intend to spend long summer cottage weekends there. The location affords both community and privacy with close proximity to their city house. The island is small, with only about 20 cottages, most of which were built early in the last century. The challenge to the architect was to create a new house that would look 100-years-old the day it was finished.

BEST REMODEL/
ADDITION

Albert Garcia

KITE Architects, Inc.

Prospect Residence Providence, R.I.

Located in the heart of College Hill, this residential renovation project is surrounded by historic residences, as well as Brown University and Rhode Island School of Design. The design focus was to visually and spatially transform the formerly reclusive building and landscape into a modern, progressive residence with new meaningful connections to its vibrant center of residential and student activity. Structural modifications to existing dormers and new windows bring light and views deep into the interiors of the house. Interior layout and entrances were completely redefined to improve the natural flow between living spaces and connections to the outdoors, while at the same time maintaining privacy for the owners in this urban setting.

BEST COMMERCIAL

Daniela Holt Voith Voith & Mactavish Architects LLP

Frederic C. Hamilton Math & Science Center Millbrook, N.Y.

The Frederic C. Hamilton Math & Science Center was designed to reinforce the existing traditional campus architecture while embracing contemporary educational design principles. The 25,000-square-foot building provides four discipline-specific science labs, an independent research room, five math classrooms, an IT suite, faculty office suite, and a free-standing greenhouse. All learning spaces and offices receive natural lighting from large windows in at least two directions, and are coupled with high efficiency light fixtures, daylight harvesting sensors and dimming ballasts. Marvin products provided the combination of material, size, and performance needed to meet the project's aesthetic and energy performance goals.