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Alice Washburn Awards

The Alice Washburn Awards are named for the distinguished, self-taught Connecticut designer and builder of the 1920’s, whose work is known for her thoughtful, stylistic, and programmatic invention.

Focusing on style, this program acknowledges excellence in traditional house design through the thoughtful adaptation of tradition to address 21st-century needs. 
Award categories: (1) New Construction; (2) Additions, Adaptive Re-use, Renovations and Restorations; and (3) Accessory Buildings

2024 Registration Opens: February 5
Registration Deadline: February 23
Submission Deadline: March 29

2024 Jurors

Luke Golesh, AIA
Golesh Architecture
Seattle, WA

Anne G. Mooney, FAIA
Sparano + Mooney Architecture
Salt Lake City, Utah

Warren Fisher, AIA
Peter Zimmerman Architects, Inc.
Berwyn, PA

  • Projects must have been completed in the last 5 years.
  • Projects are to be located in Connecticut and designed in a style broadly considered as “traditional”.
  • Submitting architect must be the Architect of Record practicing in Connecticut and credit any other contributing architectural firm.
  • Eligible works include one- or two-family residences, free standing projects, additions, renovations, restorations, adaptive reuse, and accessory buildings including but not limited to:
    • Studios
    • Pool houses
    • Barns
    • Playhouses
    • Pet Shelters
    • Conservatories
  • Styles may include but are not limited to:
    • Shingle style
    • Georgian
    • Queen Anne
    • Gothic
    • Colonial
    • Greek revival

The submission form will require the following items:

  • Project name and location
  • 250-word project description that includes:
    • Square footage, site information, and context
    • Brief synopsis of the project and design rationale
    • Identification of structures that may have more than one purpose or may have addressed unique challenges
    • Sustainability features, if any
  • Maximum of 12, minimum of 8 high resolution photos following these guidelines:
    • Maximum of 10MB per photo
    • Minimum of 3 interior photos (accessory buildings only require one interior photo)
    • Exterior photos with at least 1 that includes site context
    • Maximum of 2 “before” photos, if desired
    • Photos should indicate that the house is furnished (permission to show these should be cleared by the Owner prior to submission)
    • All photos must be properly oriented as jurors will not be able to rotate them
    • Do not include firm identification in the file names or photos
    • All photography permissions and releases are the responsibility of the submitting architect
  • Photographer’s name/photo release
  • List of project team members with names and email

 

Do not include any identifying firm information in any part of your submission. This includes file names because they are visible to jurors. Submissions with identifying information will automatically be disqualified.

Jurors will take into consideration and acknowledge:

  • Excellence in traditional house design and attention to detail
  • Thoughtful adaptation of traditional style(s) to address 21st-century needs
  • Sustainability features
  • AIA Connecticut member: $100.00
  • Member of another AIA component: $200.00
  • Non-Member Registered Architect: $400.00

Excellence

Seaside Shingle | VanderHorn Architects

Photo: Robert Benson Photography

Jury comments: A lovely home that captures the traditional shingle style. Highly detailed exterior and interior. The scale of the front elevation helps ground the building while the larger rear elevation of glass takes advantage of the views and connection to the site.

Merit with Commendation for Sustainability

Waterfront Post and Beam | Doyle Coffin Architecture

Photo: Neil Landino

Jury comments: Beautiful project that is well-sited and integrated into nature. The interior detailing and intersection of multiple materials is very well done. The use of geothermal heating and solar panels is commendable.

Merit

Historic House Renovation And Additions | Scot Samuelson Architect, LLC

Photo: Frank DiNardi

Jury comments: Overall, a beautiful renovation. The impact of the landscape design along with architecture of the renovated front entry cannot be understated. The interiors, especially the kitchen, were sensitively updated and the energy efficiency upgrades that were incorporated into the process are appreciated.

Merit

Pool House | Scot Samuelson Architect, LLC

Photo: Frank DiNardi

Jury comments: The pool house design did a beautiful job of creating a multi-functional space that connected to the landscape. Nicely composed including a well-executed simplicity of form.

Merit

Villa Pomme | Lovas Architects, LLC

Photo: Robert Norman Photography

Jury comments: Beautifully structured and layered site plan that is well scaled for the space. Stonework is nicely done. The updated kitchen and bathroom are a thoughtful incorporation of traditional architecture serving contemporary experiences. The clean and formal design of the landscape works well as a contrast to some of the more rustic materials of the pool house.

PAST ALICE WASHBURN AWARD RECIPIENTS