General Excellence | Architecture

Ziger|Snead Architects

—JENNIFER HUGHES

Ziger|Snead Architects is a Baltimore-based design studio known for residential work that is thoughtful, practical, and closely tied to place. Residential projects often involve working within established settings, where new construction must sit comfortably alongside existing structures and landscapes. Judge Kayla Kamp noticed.

“Ziger|Snead’s architecture truly seems to belong to its place. Every project engages the site and context thoughtfully, enhancing the landscape and surrounding structures while respecting their beauty,” she says. “The result is work that feels natural, grounded, and effortlessly connected to its surroundings.”

Interior and exterior spaces are also developed together, with an emphasis on human experience and sustainability.

General Excellence | Builder

Guerilla Construction

—BRITTNEY-ELIZABETH WILLIAMS

This local design/build firm blends materials and processes with contextual design to adapt properties for the 21st century. Although each job is unique, the process is similar—all projects are thoroughly analyzed and documented prior to design to understand the site, structure, utilities, layout, and existing conditions. Their holistic, transparent, and collaborative approach is what sets them apart. Judge Eric Weed was very impressed. “Throughout a variety of architecture and interiors, these contractors have continued to show their excellence.”

General Excellence | Interior Designer

Palm Henri

—MITCH ALLEN

Elizabeth Cross-Beard, principal and co-owner of Baltimore-based Palm Henri, brings more than 20 years of experience in high-end residential design to all her projects. Alongside her husband, Mitch Allen—who leads the product side of the studio—Cross-Beard has built a reputation for creating spaces that feel as unique as the people who live in them, moving effortlessly between modern and traditional aesthetics. Her passion for design began in Europe, where she studied architecture and design, immersing herself in a refined, global sensibility that still influences her work today.

Midcentury Modern Renovation

Gramophone Design Build

—BRIAN DISTAD

This renovation elevated everyday living by blending midcentury charm with contemporary performance, transforming a space in Owings Mills into one that felt inviting. What began as a necessary infrastructure update by Timonium-based Gramophone Design Build quickly evolved into an opportunity to reimagine the heart of a beloved 1959 home with lighting and a checkerboard tile floor playing a central role. “I’m drawn to this kitchen because it honors tradition with conviction. Its strong architectural lines, disciplined millwork, and materials feel storied and permanent,” says judge Everick Brown. “The expressive stone, aged brass, and patinated copper sink introduce warmth and depth. It’s layered, grounded, and intentional. Luxury not for display, but for daily ritual.”

Remodel

PI.KL Studio

—STEVEN NORRIS

Instead of being demolished, this Stevenson home was renovated for a prolific art collector. The design process began with taking inventory of the positive attributes of the house, including its attractive gable form sitting atop a monolithic base with beautiful views from all vantage points. The PI.KL Baltimore=based design team then sought to increase both the ground floor’s usability and the home’s access to natural daylight. The original garage was absorbed into the ground floor’s livable area, setting up a gallery-like entryway.

“This project reimagines the home without erasing its identity,” says Kamp. “Rather than demolish, the team reinvented it—opening up the interior, improving light and flow, and transforming a modest structure into a lasting, highly functional home. It’s a smart, creative approach that gives the house decades of new life.”

Architecture

Ziger|Snead Architects

—JENNIFER HUGHES

At the top of a wooded drive in Roland Park, this project by Ziger|Snead Architects transformed a 1970s ranch home and historic property into a private retreat. A new addition and renovation addressed the challenges of steep grades and re-established the estate’s relationship with the landscape. The architecture is minimal but thought through at every level of detail. The existing main house was reoriented toward the landscape with new windows and sliding glass doors. “Wonderful adaptation of the existing architecture to create something timeless and thoughtful,” noted Weed. “The rich material selection, fabulous site design, and spatial programming should be looked to as an industry standard.”

Historic Renovation

R. House Lazzaro

—AMY BATOG

This 19th-century farmhouse in Freeland was thoughtfully restored and reimagined for contemporary living with a design approach rooted in preservation, restraint, and architectural respect. Rather than masking the home’s age, the renovation, by Baltimore-based R. House Lazzaro, sought to highlight it—stabilizing the original structure, correcting decades of fragmented additions, and re-establishing flow for modern-day use.

“It feels rooted in honest materials, exposed beams, and cabinetry that speaks to craft rather than trend,” says Brown. “The open plate rack, aged copper, and collected pottery introduce a lived-in authenticity that elevates the everyday ritual of cooking and gathering. It’s warm, soulful, and intentional. A heritage-driven design with quiet confidence and restraint.”

Rowhome Revitalization

Eastwing Architects

—Urban Ignite

This masonry infill structure, part of South Baltimore’s Harbor Walk redevelopment of the ’80s, was in desperate need of updating and simplification. The clients commissioned the Hampden-based EastWing Architects to unify and modernize the property. Highlights for the judges included the connector designed to unite the two structures, the dramatic double-height library, the elevated roof terrace, and the custom concrete fireplace. “This is a brilliant rowhome renovation,” says Weed. “The new unique design, attention to detail, and material selection honors the long life this home has had and makes it more than deserving to continue to new generations.”

Sustainability

Roland Slate Service Co.

—Roland Slate Service Co.

This 1913 brick Colonial underwent a sustainability-driven restoration by Baltimore-based Roland Slate Service that balanced historic preservation with longterm performance and environmental responsibility. The project included replacing original broken and deteriorated slate throughout the roof with Galcar Black Slate, a natural stone material known for its exceptional longevity. Slate’s extended service life, often exceeding a century, reduces the need for future replacements making it one of the most sustainable roofing materials available.

Design Build

PI.KL Studio

—Steven Norris

Sitting on a once-empty corner lot in the historic Ridgley’s Delight neighborhood, this home, with its warm, neutral palette of light-toned brick and dark-stained wood accents, has its main staircase in the center of the home, which allows natural light to penetrate deep into the space and illuminate the house from within. PI.KL Studio created interiors that are grounded with a matte stained concrete floor on the first level and natural, warm maple hardwood floors throughout the rest of the house. “This project teeters on the edge of having a commercial aesthetic,” says Weed. “However, this is an elegant take on the Baltimore rowhome.”

Interior Design

Farnady Interiors

—STACY ZARIN GOLDBERG

When the homeowners told Annapolis-based Farnady Interiors they were looking for a design that reflects natural maximalism without relying on any added colors, the answer was an emphasis on materials, shapes, and textures to keep it interesting. Brown loved the “pattern layered against pattern, texture against texture, yet always grounded by strong architectural lines.” He was also a fan of the mix of graphic wallpaper, sculptural lighting, and tailored upholstery to create rhythm and counterpoint without feeling busy. “It’s curated, confident, and intellectually layered,” he said. “Design that feels collected over time rather than installed all at once.”

Open Floor Plan & Specialty Room

Stephanie Bradshaw

—JENNIFER HUGHES

Originally built in 1970, this single-level residence in Roland Park was reimagined for a family of four to better support contemporary living and a strong connection to the outdoors. The renovation—by Sparks-based Stephanie Bradshaw—encompassed a 3,200-squarefoot main residence and a 2,000-square-foot pool house, with the open floor plan serving as the organizational backbone of the home. Large corner windows and workable openings further connect the interior to the pool and gardens, allowing the open plan to function as an extension of the outdoor environment. “This home has a seamless flow throughout the spaces, with a deep connection to the outdoors—making each space an airy experience,” says Kamp.

Bedroom

Surrounded by Color

—AMANDA ARCHIBALD

The owners wanted a cozy dark retreat for their bedroom renovation in Greenspring Valley, so Baltimore-based Surrounded By Color chose a dark blue lime wash for the walls and brought in some brown hues to better enhance the wood clad ceiling, beautiful beams, and abundant windows. Weed noticed. “Extrapolating a material and color palette from the existing ceiling and beams—they’ve pulled that warmth down through to the walls, window frame material, baseboards, and furniture—everything.” Adds Weed, “This was very well done regarding the architecture and the interior design.”

Kitchen

One Source Contracting

—CURT PULLEYBLANK

Tackling a project that was set within a historic stone mill residence, Baltimore-based One Source Contracting opted to build an addition that honored the home’s original character. The challenge lay in bringing a contemporary kitchen into an old structure without erasing the charm and personality that defines the house. Sleek, high-gloss European-inspired cabinetry introduced a crisp, modern contrast to the home’s aged stone and architectural features.

Library/Study

Eastwing Architects

—Urban Ignite

When the South Baltimore homeowners requested a space to display an extensive book collection, EastWing Architects created a two-story library opposite the client’s workstation. The floor-to-ceiling, white oak library wall is punctuated by three 14-foot-tall window assemblies and a custom white oak sliding ladder for easy access to every book in the collection. The judges were blown away, stating that the design heightens the space and draws the eye upwards.

“This study is a grand experience,” says Kamp. “By stacking the study across multiple levels, it becomes both highly functional and visually striking. The library isn’t just storage—it’s an architectural feature that turns a workspace into a beautiful, engaging experience.”

Bathroom

PI.KL Studio

—STEVEN NORRIS

This primary bathroom renovation by PI.KL Studio architects is a case study in spatial consolidation and contemporary integration adapting seamlessly into a historic midcentury home. The goal was to make the space bigger by optimizing the existing bathroom through a more open flow and celebrating an existing opening to the walled courtyard. “Phenomenal detailing and peaceful material selection,” says Weed. “Impactful physical design relationships between the floor, ceiling, and fixtures.”

Custom Cabinets/Millwork

Delbert Adams Construction Group

—WHITNEY WASSON

Baltimore-based Delbert Adams Construction Group had Sunnyfields Cabinetry design a custom millwork and cabinetry package around a bold, confident color story—anchored by both a vibrant, dark blue and softened with subtle pale-blue accents. The contrast gives the space depth and character while still feeling calm and cohesive across the main living areas. The overall layout presented a unique challenge: Multiple openings and windows limited wall space and reduced design flexibility. To solve that, the cabinetry was carefully planned to maximize storage and symmetry where possible, while keeping sightlines open and the room feeling bright.

Living/Great Room

Home Methods

—AMANDA ARCHIBALD

“I’m drawn to this project because it embraces depth and saturated color, architectural millwork, and a coffered ceiling that creates true spatial drama,” says Brown, of the great room that Baltimore-based Home Methods renovated in Canton. “The layered patterns and sculptural lighting introduce counterpoint, giving the room energy while the built-ins anchor it with discipline and symmetry. It feels confident and cultivated—classic bones reinterpreted with a modern, expressive hand.” That was achieved through a lighter teal paint for the walls, a deep teal shade on the ceiling, along with a subtly patterned wallpaper as an accent.

Use of Color

Turner Design Firm & Tessea McCrary Interior Design

—Peak Visuals

This Woodberry home originally suffered from visual fatigue due to an excess of honey-colored wood on beams and floors. Installing light-colored flooring broke this monotony, acting as a neutral palate cleanser that grounds the space and reflects light to balance the bold saturated hues used elsewhere. This Baltimore-based design team defined each room with bold, saturated hues and colorful art in the living areas.

Brown was drawn to this project because, “it understands contrast, moody saturation against crisp white, expressive stone against disciplined cabinetry,” he says. “It feels modern but not cold and structured, intentional, and layered with just enough tension to make it compelling.”

Deck/Patio/Porch

Eastwing Architects

—PEAK VISUALS

This 1980s property in Otterbein consisted of a four-story townhouse and a three-story carriage house joined by a simple wooden deck. The homeowners asked Hampden-based EastWing Architects to unify and modernize the structures and add a rooftop terrace. To provide optimal views, the black locust terrace pavers were raised 24 inches atop a pedestal system, a glass rail assembly was installed at the perimeter—further concealing the deck from the street—and a chimney was dismantled and rebuilt to disguise an elevator. Says Kamp, “The rooftop addition is a smart, creative use of space that adds value without disrupting the historic fabric.”

Swimming Pool

Woodfield Outdoors

—WOODFIELD OUTDOORS

This backyard oasis in Sparks—implemented by Fallston-based Woodfield Outdoors—is anchored by a luxurious pool and spa and enhanced with dramatic water and fire features. A natural stone deck connects the pool area to a custom pavilion, complete with an outdoor kitchen and fireplace, making the space ideal for entertaining. There’s also a multi-use sports court, integrated to balance recreation and relaxation within a cohesive outdoor environment. This project was well designed for multi-function/multi-season use, says Weed. “The layout, details, and materials complement the architecture of the primary structure while maintaining its own presence.”

Curb Appeal

PI.KL Studio

—STEVEN NORRIS

Built in the 1950s and overlooking several acres of bucolic farmland, this Stevenson house was originally slated for demolition to make way for a new single-family home. However, the owners had a change of heart and instead explored the option to renovate. The plan from architects PI.KL Studio and general contractors PI.KL Construction included stained wood siding, a new metal roof, and FORM Garden Design landscape for a clean and modern look. “This is an excellent example of adaptive reuse and what a skilled architect and construction team can do,” says Weed. “This borderline dilapidated, forgotten house has now been thoughtfully given a new life.”

Large Space Landscape Design & Outdoor Living

Form Garden Design

—Anchor Pictures

This outdoor space in Lutherville, designed by FORM Garden Design, is a modern refuge for everyday living and entertaining. “This outdoor space draws you in with thoughtful layering and movement,” says Kamp of the 3.6-acre sloped site. “Subtle grade changes, multiple entry points, and organic planting throughout make it functional and full of interest.” Native species were chosen for toughness, adaptability, and long-term performance. The landscape is organized around a strong axial line that cuts through the center of the home, drawing movement from the entry through the glass-lined family room, and into the central courtyard beyond. Says Brian Carlson, “It’s a great example of integrating the outdoor ‘rooms’ with the indoor architecture.”

Small Space Landscape Design

Clinton + Ries Landscape Architects

—CLINTON + RIES LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS

“I love how the landscape looks like it was always there and softens the experience of walking through the property,” says Carlson of this hillside cottage on the banks of the Magothy River. The Hyattsville-based CLINTON + RIES Landscape Architects implemented simple timber and lawn stairs and a native garden that resolved an ongoing erosion issue while attracting pollinators for the benefit of the surrounding ecosystem. “This project stands out for a simple design that took complicated planning and years of execution,” says Kamp. “What was once a purely functional, eroding lawn is now a beautiful native landscape that feels natural and purposeful.”