
For the past four decades, NAHB’s Best in American Living Awards (BALA) have celebrated the value and importance of good home and community design.
Over the next several months, BALA will celebrate its significant 40-year milestone by showcasing memorable trends and award-winning projects, as well as celebrating its esteemed BALA Hall of Fame inductees who helped set the stage for today’s design creativity and innovation.
Although trends and best practices in home design have evolved through the years, NAHB’s commitment to driving innovation and improving the places where we live, work and play remains steadfast. NAHB is proud to once again recognize and honor the architects, builders and designers who have become part of the BALA community and made their mark in defining excellence in residential design.
Join us on our journey into the past, and celebrate the evolution of design!

40th Anniversary
BALA Celebrates Inductees Moore, Toll & Pratt
Stephen Moore, Class of 2008 Stephen Moore has held many major positions in NAHB, including...
BALA Celebrates Inductees Capital Pacific Holdings, McCune & Kohler
Capital Pacific Holdings, Class of 2008 Hadi Makarechian is the founder, chairman of the Board,...
BALA Celebrates Inductees Richardson, Thee & Pearlman
Walter “Walt” Richardson, Class of 2013* For over four decades, RNM Architects/Planners has pioneered in...
BALA Celebrates Inductees Berkus, Sattler & Pulte
Barry Berkus, Class of 2008* Barry Berkus was a major figure in architecture for decades....
BALA Celebrates Inductees Eichen, Kreager & Duany
Carole P. Eichen (Posthumously Awarded), Class of 2008 In the crucial area of new home...
BALA Celebrates Inductees Robson, Dirks & W. Davidson
Edward Robson, Class of 2013 Well-regarded as one of the nation’s most successful master-planned active...
2008 Home of the Year: Palmetto Bluff Retreat
This 4,691 square foot Lowcountry home design in Bluffton South Carolina, “Palmetto Bluff Retreat”, earned...
1997 Home of the Year
Architect Gary Cline designed this 4000 square foot two-story French country house in Cary, North...