Now in its 37th year, the Best in American Living™ Awards (BALA) is the building industry’s premier residential design awards program. BALA spotlights the most creative and talented building industry professionals who have redefined design excellence for homes and communities nationally and internationally. Winning projects showcase what building industry professionals need to know to set their product apart and hit the right mark with today’s highly educated and discerning home buyers.
How to Apply
- Review categories and eligibility and FAQ
- Complete an application through the NAHB awards dashboard
- Submit payment – payment must be received no later than 11:59 PM ET on September 11 for your application to be considered
New Categories
Category 12: On-the-Boards Single-Family Production Home
Submissions should be production homes that are being developed for or in response to a specific project or need. Submissions shall include necessary material (site plans, floor plans, elevations and renderings) to describe the proposed home design and any unique features of that design.
Category 22: On-the-Boards Single-Family Custom or Spec Home
Submissions should be fully developed designs that have not yet begun or completed construction. The home should have a specific client who is giving input on the design that is being developed. Submissions shall include necessary material (site plans, floor plans, elevations and renderings) to describe the proposed home design and any unique features or solutions of that design.
Category 31: On-the-Boards Multifamily Project
Submissions should be are being developed for or in response to a specific project or need. Submissions shall include necessary material (site plans, floor plans, elevations and renderings) to describe the proposed home design and any unique features of that design.
Category 55: On-the-Boards Community
Submissions should include an innovative solution to a site, social, environmental, business, community or other need. Communities may be single- or multifamily or a mix thereof.
Category 62: On-the-Boards Interior Design
Submissions must focus on interior architecture, design appeal, programming, and creative use of interior space in a private residence or model home. Only new construction projects are eligible.
Category 66: Healthy Home
Healthy home building concepts refers to both the structure and the use of processes that are environmentally responsible and considered above code health and wellness practices. Throughout a buildings commissioning and occupant lifecycle from siting, design, material selection, construction, operation and maintenance. Healthy home building concepts often earn certifications such as Wellness Within Your Walls (WWYW), Fitwell and WELL.
Updated Floor Plan & Photo Requirements
Submissions should contain all floor plans and relevant elevations that are representative of what you are submitting. Furnished, marketing-style floor plans and elevations are encouraged. Submissions should not be longer than six pages if submitting a pdf. If this is a remodeling submission, please include “before” plan(s), if possible.
It is highly recommended that for all categories that are not strictly interior architecture or design that sufficient exterior photography be submitted to demonstrate the design characteristics of the home, residential building or community. Entries without sufficient exterior photography, if applicable, may be removed from consideration.
On the Board applicants should submit sufficient renderings and other architectural drawings in lieu of photographs.
Green applicants should use the green image/photograph upload area for green-specific features. Professional photography is not required. Images could include, but are not limited to, xeriscaping, wall assemblies, solar installations, other innovative green details, etc.
Remodeling applicants should include sufficient “before” and “after” photography that showcases the transformation and final product.
Monogram Appliance kitchen applicants (must check “yes” to “Did this project incorporate Monogram Appliances?” question under Project Details tab) should use the Monogram Appliance image/upload area for Monogram Appliance imagery. Images could include, but are not limited to, any kitchen appliances that are from the Monogram Appliance line.
Questions? Contact Alexandra Isham at 202-266-8469 or aisham@nahb.org for assistance.
