Home & Design

Warmed by radiant heat, the screened porch is detailed with cedar trim to complement the great room.

A linear gas fireplace creates a focal point, surrounded by the kitchen and living and dining areas.

Plants and hardscape elements are woven together for balance and harmony; a Japanese maple was integrated into the home's design. Steel framing supports cantilevered sections of the butterfly roof.

Grand Award: Curb Appeal

Amestudio, Inc.

A recent overhaul by Amestudio transformed a one-story 1960s home into a retreat that architect Ben Ames and the retired homeowners envisioned as a portal to nature. The redo repurposed the original, rectangular volume as a home office and movie lounge. Meanwhile, Ames created a new entry along the structure’s southern edge, with a hallway leading to an addition housing the kitchen, living/dining area and owners’ suite. Topping the addition is a butterfly roof, with openings that improve views of the property’s mature trees and integrate a decorative Japanese maple between the dining area and screened porch. “This project was inspired by the Mid-Century Modern legacy of nearby Hollin Hills,” explains Ames. “The result is a home that embraces the garden, seeking balance and harmony.”

"Designer and builder thought through problems—and opportunities— successfully."
Richard Williams, jurist

Architecture: Benjamin Ames, AIA, Amestudio, Inc. Contractor: Trevor Voglmayr, Washington Landmark Construction LLC.

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