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AARP and NAHB Name Livable Communities Award Winners
AARP and NAHB have announced that two builders, two developers and one remodeler will receive the groups' co-sponsored 2007 Livable Communities Award for forward thinking in the field of home and community design.
The Livable Communities Award honors builders, developers and remodelers who create attractive, well-designed homes and communities that are safe, comfortable and accessible for people of all ages and abilities.
The winning projects include an affordable co-housing complex that preserves open space and community gardens; a mixed-use, pedestrian-friendly college town community in an evolving urban setting; an "Easy Living" home featuring built-in user-friendly design elements; a state-of-the-art energy-efficient home designed for all ages with the architectural details of its adjoining historic neighborhood; and a house remodeled to function as a "home for a lifetime."
"These winners have done outstanding work that recognizes the need for quality housing and community design to ensure people can enjoy their homes in comfort and safety and get maximum enjoyment and benefits from their neighborhood," said Elinor Ginzler, AARP's director of livable communities. "This award celebrates the ingenuity of the winners in meeting the growing need and demand for user-friendly homes and communities designed to meet the needs and abilities of all residents."
"These builders, remodelers and developers are being recognized as leaders in the effort to meet the needs of the nation's 50-plus consumers and their families," said NAHB President Brian Catalde. "This fast-growing market is very important to our industry, and these award-winning projects provide great examples of design innovations that promote safer and more comfortable living."
The 2007 AARP and NAHB Livable Communities awards recognize five companies in five categories:
- Builder up to 2,500 square feet — John Wesley Miller Companies, for Armory Park del Sol in Tucson, Ariz. 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.
- Builder more than 2,500 square feet — Wendt Builders, for Olde Town Grayson, Lot 13B in Grayson, Ga. Besides a step-free entrance, a full bedroom and bath on the main floor and broad doorways, design upgrades in this builder's "Easy Living" house include barrier-free showers, Jacuzzi tubs with large ledges, deep pull-out kitchen cabinet drawers and recessed and rope lighting throughout the house.
- Developer up to 250 units — Madison Area Community Land Trust, for Troy Gardens in Madison, Wis. 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.
- Developer more than 250 units — The Integral Group, for CollegeTown at West End in Atlanta. This mixed-income, mixed-use college town community — which will eventually include multifamily 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.
- Remodeler more than $25,000 — Quality, Design & Construction, for Ann's Ridge Road Dream in Raleigh, N.C. 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.
Winners will be honored at a dinner in Washington D.C. on Dec. 11 and will also be featured in AARP The Magazine, the nation's most widely circulated magazine.
For more information, photos and video clips on the winning projects, click here.
 Tour Top 50+ Communities in New Orleans
Sign up for the active adult housing tour at the 2008 Boomers and Beyond: 50+ Housing Symposium in New Orleans, May 19-21.
The symposium will also feature the most innovative new community designs during the Best of 50+ Housing Awards gala.
Click here to be notified when registration opens.
Help Rebuild New Orleans at 50+ Housing Symposium
Building for Boomers & Beyond: 50+ Housing Symposium is partnering with Rebuilding Together New Orleans on a special two-day community service project so symposium attendees can help rehabilitate homes in New Orleans that were severely damaged by Hurricane Katrina.
Two pre-conference days have been reserved for this event. Attendees are encouraged to volunteer for this special rebuilding project.
 Earn CAASH Credits at Building for Boomers & Beyond
The three required courses for the Certified Active Adult Specialist in Housing (CAASH) designation will be held Saturday, May 17 and Sunday, May 18 at the 2008 Building for Boomers & Beyond: 50+ Housing Symposium in New Orleans.
The CAASH designation gives housing professionals serving this rapidly burgeoning market the essential knowledge, tools and skills that will help them succeed.
To learn more about CAASH, visit www.nahb.org/CAASHinfo.
 Find Out What the 55+ Market Wants
“Boomers on the Horizon: Housing Preferences of the 55+ Market,” available through BuilderBooks.com, can help you better build and market homes to this age group.
Capitalize on the niches, needs and opportunities of this rapidly growing market by learning their preferences.
To view or purchase this publication online, click here, or call 800-223-2665.
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