Press Center: News Releases
Livable Communities Awards
Research Report
February 2008
Washington, D.C. - AARP and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) today announced a call for entries for the second annual Livable Communities Award to honor forward-looking housing industry professionals who have designed and built creative and unique homes that improve the daily comfort, ease of use and safety for the people who live in the homes them.
The AARP & NAHB Livable Communities Award will be presented to builders, remodelers and developers for projects that incorporate such aspects as:
- design elements that accommodate the needs of all residents with all levels of physical ability from children through grandparents
- improved energy efficiency and enhanced site design; and
- better communication with key stakeholders
"This year, AARP celebrates its 50th anniversary with the theme of 'Generations Connecting for Change. At AARP, we believe that having livable spaces for people of all physical capabilities - grandparents with walkers, toddlers with toys - facilitates that bond," said AARP Director of Livable Communities Elinor Ginzler. "This award honors the spirit of innovation in design and underscores our commitment to connecting generations."
"NAHB members have responded enthusiastically to this award," said Jerry Howard, NAHB's executive vice president and chief executive officer. "I look forward to seeing the creative entries this year from builders, remodelers, and developers who recognize the tremendous value of this award."
The Livable Communities Awards will honor winners in each of the three industry sectors: builders, developers and remodelers. Sponsors will declare winners for both a large project and small project in each category. Size will define large and small builder and developer projects. Cost will determine remodelers' categories.
Sponsors seek applicants that reflect the full diversity of the homebuilding industry: single- and multi-family builders and remodelers, developers of large and small communities, for profit and nonprofit, family run and corporate entities.
A panel of expert judges appointed by NAHB and AARP will review the applications and select the finalists. Judging criteria vary from category to category, but points will be awarded based on: 1) Universal Design Features; 2) Ease of Maintenance and Energy Efficiency; 3) Exterior Design and Landscaping/Site Design; 4) Incorporation of Livable Community Design Features; and 5) Stakeholder Involvement.
Applications for the second annual Livable Communities Awards will be due June 6, 2008. For more information on the awards or to apply online, please visit the NHAB website.
Winning entries will be publicly recognized and announced at an awards program in Washington, D.C. in December 2008. Winners will be notified by NAHB and AARP no later than November 1, 2008. Winners also will be provided with supporting materials to recognize their award.
***About the 2007 AARP and NAHB Livable Communities Award Winners:
- John Wesley Miller Companies (for Armory Park del Sol in Tucson, AZ) This user-friendly home design features state-of-the-art energy efficient technology, including solar panels and solar water heating systems, to reduce energy usage by 56%. The house also includes a well-designed kitchen, bathroom, entryways, and architectural details of the surrounding historic neighborhood. Category: Builder up to 2500 square feet.
- Wendt Builders Inc. (for Olde Town Grayson, Lot 13B in Grayson, GA) Besides a step-free entrance, a full bedroom and bath on the main floor and, and broad doorways, design upgrades in this builder's "Easy Living" house includes barrier-free showers, Jacuzzi tubs with large ledges, deep pull-out kitchen cabinet drawers, and recessed and rope lighting throughout the house. Category: Builder more than 2500 square feet.
- Madison Area Community Land Trust (for Troy Gardens in Madison, WI) This 30-unit, mixed-income, co-housing community now protects 26 acres of open space for environmental preservation -- currently used as an organic farm, community gardens, a prairie and a wildlife habitat -- yet meets the highest standards for individual accessibility and is an easy public transit or bike ride to downtown Madison. Category: Developer up to 250 units.
- The Integral Group (for CollegeTown at West End in Atlanta, GA) This mixed-income, mixed-use college town community - which will eventually include multi-family apartments and units designed for those 50+, retail and commercial space, town houses, single-family homes and an inn - is a pedestrian-friendly community in an evolving urban setting close to cultural attractions in the greater Atlanta area. Category: Developer more than 250 units.
- Quality, Design & Construction, Inc. (for Ann's Ridge Road Dream in Raleigh, NC) This remodeled home was designed to accommodate the owners current and future needs in an already existing structure. Subtle elements promoting safety, comfort and accessibility include, a step-free entry, the absence of hallways on the first floor, zoned, recessed lighting and task lighting throughout the house, easy- to-use kitchen cabinets, a roomy bath with a curbless shower, and multi-level countertops. Category: Remodeler more than $25,000.
The 2007 AARP and NAHB Livable Communities Awards honored five companies in five categories. The winners included:
For more information on the 2007 winning projects, visit www.aarp.org/livablecommunitiesaward.
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. We produce AARP The Magazine, published bimonthly; AARP Bulletin, our monthly newspaper; AARP Segunda Juventud, our bimonthly magazine in Spanish and English; NRTA Live & Learn, our quarterly newsletter for 50+ educators; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The National Association of Home Builders is a Washington-based trade association representing more than 235,000 members involved in home building, remodeling, multifamily construction, property management, subcontracting, design, housing finance, building product manufacturing and other aspects of residential and light commercial construction. Known as "the voice of the housing industry," NAHB is affiliated with more than 800 state and local home builders associations around the country. NAHB's builder members will construct 80 percent of the more than 1.56 million new housing units projected for 2007, making housing one of the largest engines of economic growth in the country.