August 2, 2019 Orlando, FL Gaylord Palms Resort & Conference Center was the place, as the best and the brightest gathered for to celebrate the Silver Aurora, Grand Aurora and Golden Aurora Winners for the 40th annual SEBC (South East Builder Conference) Aurora Awards. Grand Award Winners were announced from the circle of Silver Aurora Award honorees.
This year’s competition drew nearly 400 entries in 54 Categories. Including commercial, office space, renovated projects, mixed-use, affordable, multi-family projects, site planning, single family production and custom homes.
At the award gala, the Barn at Walnut Hill Project by Poole & Poole Architecture (2PA )won Best in its category "Renovated or Restored Single House" and then 2PA was further honored to win the Golden Aurora for overall Best in Show.
The story of this remarkable adaptive re-use began when the current owners saw the stately hay barn with a "for sale" sign and knew they would save it by making it their home. For 2PA the design goals were clear; on the exterior minimal changes would respect the original Dutch gambrel design. Additionally, the original vent and door openings were used for entry, window and dormer locations.
On the interior it was important to express the impressive two story volume of the barn, to keep the existing structural elements and to re-use and re-purpose any materials removed.
Existing steel and wood beams and wood posts were not hidden or removed, instead they were used as focal points. Original cedar siding was preserved and re-used as the base of the kitchen island, accent wall in the powder room and as the material for sliding barn doors.
For sustainability, solar panels are utilized across the western roof. Motorized blinds control solar gain in summer while allowing solar warming in winter. Nearly all systems are automated in the house: heat /air, fans, lights, lamps are all programmed to automatically come on when needed and to turn off when appropriate.
The AURORA Awards were established in 1979 and are presented annually to outstanding builders, planners, architects, developers, designers, interior merchandisers and other housing-related professionals. Residential and Commercial construction professionals actively involved in projects located in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and the Eastern Caribbean are eligible to participate.
2PA would like to thank the entire team for their hard work on the project.
