Norris Design Wins Three Best in American Living Awards

Last month, Norris Design received three Best in American Living Awards at the 2024 International Builders Show in Las Vegas. Presented by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the Best in American Living Awards recognize the enduring value of thoughtful home and community design. Each year, these awards honor the architects, builders, and designers who elevate residential environments and set new standards for excellence across the industry.

One of this year’s honorees was the Summit Sky Ranch Lake House (pictured above and below), which received a Gold Award in the Community Facility category. Nestled in Silverthorne, Colorado, Summit Sky Ranch is a luxury single-family community that emphasizes connection to the surrounding natural landscape. Its signature amenity—a private 20-acre lake—illustrates the power of transformative design. Once a mining quarry, the lake has been reimagined as a welcoming haven for residents, offering opportunities for swimming, fishing, paddling, and year-round outdoor enjoyment. The accompanying lake house provides a peaceful retreat, serving as a gathering point that celebrates the beauty of the mountains and water.

Uplands (pictured below) was also recognized with a Gold Award, this time in the On-the-Boards Community category. Uplands represents a forward-thinking, solution-oriented master planned community designed to address Colorado’s critical “missing middle” housing needs. Strategically located between Denver and Boulder, the project revitalizes an historically underutilized and underfunded area of Westminster. With a focus on housing attainability, community wellbeing, and long-term sustainability, Uplands aspires to create meaningful new opportunities for residents across multiple income levels.

Lastly, Hartford Cottages earned a Gold Award in the Innovative Housing Solution category. Developed in partnership with DTJ Design, the cottages prioritize affordability, efficiency, and environmental stewardship. By incorporating minimal foundation adjustments and standardized dimensions, the design reduces construction waste and streamlines the building process—demonstrating that creative, flexible design can play a crucial role in expanding attainable housing.

Together, these awards highlight Norris Design’s dedication to creating vibrant, enduring, and inclusive communities across the country.