Norris Design, a national planning, landscape architecture and branding firm, received five National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Best in American Living Awards during a virtual ceremony on Feb. 25.
NAHB’s Best in American Living Award (BALA) winners exemplify the best of the best in national design trends, as identified by the industry-leading BALA judging panel each year.
Summit Sky Ranch was recognized with a Gold Award in the Single-family Community, 100 units and over category. Nestled in the heart of the Rocky Mountains in Silverthorne, Summit Sky Ranch is a legacy neighborhood and conservation-based community. With 60% of the property dedicated as open space, this 240-home community sits on 416 acres. Trail networks,
a 20-acre town park, private community center with pool, private lake house, access to Lake Everist, an observatory, and private access to gold medal fishing waters along the Blue River set this neighborhood apart.
The Summit Sky Ranch Aspen House was also recognized with a Gold Award in the Community Facility Category. Located centrally within Summit Sky Ranch, the Aspen House is the heart of the community and is a five-minute walk from 65 percent of homes. A natural surface trail system connects each home directly with this central community amenity center. The Aspen
House is strategically located in an area where two ecosystems naturally meet—as part of a conservation-based community, this site takes advantage of a passive solar system and introduces native plants from both ecosystems in a seamless design.
RainDance was recognized with a Silver Award in the On-the-Boards Community category. Northern Colorado has a rich agricultural and farming history. With these historical roots in mind, Martin Lind, a fourth-generation farmer, saw a future for Northern Colorado with a harmonious coexistence between the burgeoning need for housing and a rich agricultural history. Located in Windsor, RainDance was born of this vision—creating a collaborative farming community where people live among functional fields and orchards to share the produce of 50 acres of cultivated landscape.
In the Community Amenity category, RainDance River Resort features the state’s largest lazy river designed to connect its community with the rich agricultural history of Northern Colorado. A microcosm of its lively surroundings, the resort-style pool is situated within a 13.4-acre park and is connected to open space, orchards and farmland through an extensive trail network.
Lastly, Baseline East Village was recognized with a Platinum Award in the On-the-Boards Community category. Located in Broomfield, Baseline East Village is a new residential community at the intersection of the Denver/Boulder triangle. Designed as the next generation of sustainable urban living Baseline East Village will be part of the nation’s first Pollinator District. Pollinator Districts are communities committed to conserving and improving habitat for pollinators in all aspects of development and operation. This new walkable, urban residential neighborhood is designed around a network of connected gardenways and pocket parks that support, enhance and protect pollinator habitat.
