The Future House Awards remain the only museum-led, non-commercial program devoted exclusively to the evolving language of residential architecture.

Presented by Global Design News in collaboration with The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design, the initiative honors projects that push the limits of design excellence—where craft, material innovation, sustainability, and spatial imagination converge.

At its core, the program reflects a global shift: housing is no longer simply about shelter, but about experience, identity, and environmental responsibility.

From compact urban dwellings to expansive retreats, the awards champion projects that are as inclusive as they are pioneering—capturing the present while shaping the future of how we live.

What follows is a curated look at the highlights from the past two years—an editorial selection of projects that not only define their categories, but collectively map the direction of contemporary residential design.

2024 Highlights

Suspension House by Fougeron Architecture — Best Vacation Home
An exercise in structural daring, Suspension House appears to hover effortlessly within its landscape.

Its delicate balance between engineering precision and visual lightness transforms the idea of a retreat into something almost cinematic—an architecture that dissolves into its surroundings while quietly commanding attention.

Mirai House of Arches by Sanjay Puri Architects — Best Dream House of the Year
With its rhythmic sequence of arches, Mirai House of Arches bridges past and future.

The project’s sculptural geometry frames light and movement in a way that feels both monumental and intimate, offering a dreamlike interpretation of domestic space.

Waterfront Pavilion Residence by Garret Cord Werner — Best House of the Year
Defined by transparency and restraint, this residence unfolds along the water’s edge with a calm, deliberate elegance.

Glass, reflection, and horizon lines merge to create a home where architecture becomes an extension of the landscape.

Great Pond Residence by Hutker Architects — Best Sustainable House of the Year
Sustainability here is not an add-on but a guiding principle.

Great Pond Residence integrates ecological awareness into every layer of its design, resulting in a home that feels as responsible as it is refined.

The Nest House by Ho Khue Architects — Most Innovative House of the Year
Compact yet conceptually bold, The Nest House explores how layered spatial envelopes can create both protection and openness.

It challenges conventional urban living by rethinking how privacy, density, and design interact.

Torrance Del Amo by Moore Ruble Yudell Architects — Best Multi-Family Housing
This project repositions multi-family housing as a community-driven experience.

 Through thoughtful layout and shared spaces, it balances individuality with collective living, suggesting a more connected urban future.

Old Yacht Club by Elliott Architects — Best Renovation
A sensitive transformation, the Old Yacht Club retains the spirit of its past while embracing contemporary life.

It’s a reminder that renovation can be an act of storytelling as much as design.

One Museum Place by Mack Scogin Merrill Elam Architects — Best Residential Tower
Rising with quiet confidence, One Museum Place refines the language of vertical living.

Its architectural clarity and attention to resident experience elevate it beyond mere skyline presence.

The Residences at 1428 Brickell by ACPV Architects Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel — Best Interior Design
Here, interiors are treated as immersive environments.

Rich materials, precise detailing, and a cohesive design language create spaces that feel both luxurious and deeply personal.

Adult Family Home Prototype by University of Arkansas Community Design Center — Best Community Living
This project rethinks care-based housing through architecture.

By prioritizing dignity, accessibility, and warmth, it offers a humane and forward-looking model for shared living environments.

2025 Highlights

KIKLIO by K-Studio — Best Vacation Home
Rooted in circular geometry, KIKLIO unfolds as a continuous spatial experience.

Its sculptural clarity and connection to nature create a retreat that feels both grounded and otherworldly.

Aycock ADU by Studio YAY! — Best Dream House of the Year
Small in scale but expansive in ambition, Aycock ADU engages deeply with its tropical context.

It demonstrates how constraints can fuel creativity, resulting in a home that is both precise and poetic.

Hollow House by actual / office — Best House of the Year
Organized around absence rather than presence, Hollow House turns void into its defining feature.

Light, air, and movement shape the experience, producing a home that feels constantly in dialogue with itself.

Evanston’s First Passive House by Kipnis Architecture + Planning — Best Sustainable House
A milestone in energy-conscious design, this project proves that performance and comfort can coexist seamlessly.

Its disciplined approach sets a new standard for sustainable residential architecture.

WaterNest Village by Giancarlo Zema Design Group — Most Innovative House
Floating architecture takes center stage in WaterNest Village.

Modular, adaptive, and environmentally attuned, it offers a compelling vision for future living in a changing world.

Envoy Vadi by Mental Design Works — Best Multi-Family Housing
Blending built form with landscape, Envoy Vadi creates a layered residential experience.

It encourages interaction while preserving intimacy, redefining density through design sensitivity.

Ft. Greene Brownstone by Sherman Architects — Best Renovation
A careful balance of preservation and intervention, this brownstone renovation respects its historic fabric while introducing a distinctly contemporary rhythm.

Full Moon by Rand Elliott Architects — Best Residential Tower
With its bold identity and sculptural presence, Full Moon reimagines the residential tower as an architectural statement—one that engages both skyline and inhabitant.

El Capitola by William/Kaven Architecture — Best Interior Design
El Capitola is an exploration of atmosphere. Through texture, color, and craft, it builds an interior world that is rich, layered, and unmistakably distinct.

Malhar Medley by Jayakumar & Associates — Best Community Living
At its heart, Malhar Medley is about connection.

Its design fosters interaction and inclusivity, presenting a model for housing that prioritizes both community and individuality.

Across these two years, a clear narrative emerges: residential architecture is becoming experimental, more responsive, and more human-centered.

Whether through sustainability, innovation, or community focus, the Future House Awards continue to spotlight projects that challenge conventions and expand possibilities.

As the program evolves, it doesn’t just capture the present moment—it actively shapes how we will live, design, and define “home” in the years ahead.

Architects and designers are invited to take part in this ongoing dialogue and contribute to its future direction by submitting their work to the Future House Awards—an opportunity to gain global recognition and make a lasting impact on the next generation of residential design.

Submit your project here: https://awardapplication.com/future-house-awards/login