Winners of the 2013 Marvin Architect's Challenge

We are thrilled to announce the winners of the 2013 Marvin Architect's Challenge. Hosted by window-and-door manufacturer Marvin, entrants for the architects-only competition had to submit at least three photos of their original designs that incorporate Marvin windows and/or doors. Challengers also had to include in their submission how Marvin products inspired their vision, what inspired them, and why they see their design as an accomplishment.

Ten winning designs were chosen based on how well they exhibited solution-driven design, classical beauty, innovative use of windows, and sustainability. Each winner will receive a roundtrip ticket to Minneapolis, Minnesota and Warroad, Minnesota for a Marvin factory tour as well as an AIA tour of various homes and buildings of architectural interest. A Judges' Choice was also selected out of the 10 Challenge winners. The Judges' Choice winner will receive a feature interview and a two-page spread in Dwell magazine's October 2013 issue.

The Challenge also included a Showdown wherein a People's Choice architect wins a trip to attend the 2013 Reinvention Symposium in San Francisco on Oct.9-11. The People's Choice winner, David Hart, was selected after five rounds of online public voting.

This year's Judging Panel featured William J. Devereaux, Jr. (president of Devereaux & Associates, Pc.); Mark Scheurer (AIA, founding principal of Mark Scheurer Architect, Inc.); and David Furman (Fellow in AIA, chair in Charlotte Center City Partners and Charlotte Housing Coalition). You can read more about each jury member here.

Keep reading to see the winning architects and their designs right below.

"This 'house in the trees' design was intended to invoke organic architecture that is influenced by and reflective of its site. Designers were inspired to preserve the oak hammock on the site, and to follow the homeowner’s mandate 'Respect the land, and the rest will follow.'

Marvin provided one of the most important features of the home, the beautifully constructed, one-of-a-kind windows that curved with the wall and ceiling. The large windows creat a seamless transition from nature to inside the home, adding to the tree house-esque concept."

"Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this residence overlooks a lake with expansive mountain views beyond. Its design ties the home to its surroundings, and enhances the ability to experience both home and nature together. The architect delivered a design that captured the essence of its place, while not overstating its presence within the whole.

The windows were an integral component in the home design, providing the large expanses of high-performing windowed walls, essential to connecting with the surrounding landscape. These standard windows were customized to achieve, within budget, a continuous expanse of glass not possible within the boundaries of a typical residential window system."

"Folly Farm is a contemporary expression of historic, additive farmhouse-style architecture. The energetic, creative clients wanted a contemporary design, with casual spaces for their young family to create, play and find inspiration. To achieve these goals, forms, spaces and finishes were composed. They combining old and new, rich textures, with simple, yet age-old formal geometries.

Marvin windows were incorporated in the home design to match the balance of modern and antique styles through quality, color and grill design. Unique features offered by Marvin that made the difference include custom mullions, extra large transoms—some as large as 6’0” x 6’0”, and specially ganged units."

"Conceived initially as a simple pool house for guests, this “modern barn” developed into a serene retreat that takes advantage of its dramatic riverside location. Low maintenance, high life-cycle materials like zinc-magnesium roofing, cedar siding, polished concrete heated flooring, aluminum-clad Marvin wood windows and high-efficacy mechanical systems were used to meet stringent energy and aesthetic requirements.

The Marvin windows and doors chosen by the architect created a focal point that brought this modern barn concept to life. Barn doors became screen doors and a classic lean-to became a modern window seat with a dramatic cantilevered roof and mullion-less corner window."

"A new residence located on a sloping site was designed to take full advantage of its mountainous surroundings. The arrangement of building volumes allows the grade and water to flow around the project. The primary living spaces are located on the upper level, providing access to the light, air and views of the landscape.

Marvin windows on the upper level promote access to natural light, fresh air and stunning views for the primary living spaces. Marvin provided the range of sizes and configurations needed to realize the concept and final design."

"Beginning with a goal of creating direct connection to the site, Bragg Hill was designed to celebrate the landscape, while seamlessly incorporating sustainability. Through responsible design, the goals of the project were interwoven with sustainability and provided opportunities to capture breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside, while utilizing those same portals to bring light and warmth into the home.

Marvin offers timeless design that incorporated elegantly with this modern take on 18th-century barns. Marvin also provides the perfect palette of sizes and colors to create a proportionate exterior form. From the interior, the views from the windows highlight the landscape, and bring in an abundance of natural light while maximizing energy efficiency."

"The LenFest Management and Preserve Center is a 10,000 square-foot facility designed to promote the preservation and maintenance of natural resources with public outreach, and education. The newly built center is nestled in a hillside of the preserve with views in all directions, and created in a traditional and agrarian aesthetic.

Overall beauty, sustainability, and long-term quality were the primary concerns of the build. Marvin windows met the architect’s requirements for extensive daylight, beautiful views and sightlines and profiles contributing to the traditional and agrarian design aesthetic."

"Though it looks like it’s been around for decades, this 'Super Prime' 19,000-square-foot English country house is new construction. It was influenced by the Arts & Crafts style homes of the early 1900s. The architect describes it as 'a successful marriage of traditional craft skills, with both sustainable technology and passive design.' The primary challenge was to maintain the charm of a traditional English country home, while incorporating contemporary building technologies, techniques and sustainability.

For this construction with a high level of personalization and customization, Marvin was the obvious window and door solution. The Clad Ultimate Push-Out Casement system worked beautifully with the specific style of the home design, while maintaining the practicality and efficiency the architect strove for."

"This guest cottage for a private residence in northern California beckons guests and family alike to relax in this charming retreat, where the covered sitting area connects to the cozy bedroom suite. One of the great delights of living in Northern California is enjoying the indoor/outdoor lifestyle afforded by the mild climate. The inter-connectivity of the cottage and garden spaces is also fundamental to the success of the design, making door and window selection critical.

The durability and detail of the Marvin products chosen for this build, paired with the scale and design of their configuration, endow the cottage with a charm that complements the house and garden setting. The open spaces allow for cottage guests to enjoy their property from inside and out."

"The Pavilion at Marquette Park is a two-story building originally designed by George Maher & Son in 1926. The Pavilion, its connecting bridge, and the outdoor dance pavilion are considered some of the finest examples of Prairie style park structures in the Midwest. Maher's original design was kept in mind for restoration of both the interior and exterior of the Pavilion.

Referencing historic drawings, photographs and postcards, intricate Prairie style features were replicated; including window lite configuration and operation. With the help of Marvin, Marquette Park and its Pavilion were restored once again as a shining jewel on the beaches of Lake Michigan."

Learn more about each of the projects here.