The Design Excellence category includes award winning solutions in Details/Finishes/Trades, Landscaping, and Universal Design. Explore how the winning experts in these fields are paving the path in design innovation.

Design- Details/Finishes/Trades

				Dyna Contracting, Inc. Seattle, Washington The existing gate next to this home’s garage no longer fit. The clients wanted a replacement that their Portuguese water dog could see through and that matched their coffee table. In addition to integrating the table design and meeting the dog’s needs, the contractor focused on a better layout. The new gate faces the home’s entryway. The wall faces a Japanese garden. The gate and wall were custom-forged of powder-coated steel. The gate has a stainless steel latch. The wooden portion of the wall is a Brazilian hardwood IPE.

Design- Landscaping

				Berg's Landscaping Seattle, Washington The owners of this home located East of Market Street in Kirkland, Washington contacted our firm to create an outdoor living space in their backyard.  The city of Kirkland deeded 8-feet by 75-feet right of way to our client.  This gave us an additional 600 square feet to work with. Our client wished to create a special living space with an Asian Pacific Northwest flair that their entire family could use both day and night. We developed a plan that included a water feature, large patio area, gas fire pit, arbors/trellises, 12-volt landscape lighting, landscape irrigation, drainage, and plants.

Design- Universal Design

				Stewardship Remodeling Seattle, Washington The Universally Designed project was driven by the need to provide covered parking for a John Deere Gator and the desire for garden sheds to house yard tools & outdoor equipment.  The design was challenged by the preservation of an old growth cedar stump that is an organic focal point, alive with native salal and huckleberry, nourished by the steady drip from a rain downspout that receives overflow water from the vegetated roof above.  A Trex boardwalk provides a flowing seamless path that leads to vintage sliding barn doors with oversized handles that allow easy access into the garden sheds.

See Other Award Categories and Winners: