DTJ Recognized at 2025’s The Nationals and Best in American Living Awards

At DTJ, design is more than a process, it’s an experience of creativity, connection, and transformation. Our passion for crafting spaces that inspire innovation and harmonize with the natural environment has once again earned national recognition. We’re excited to celebrate our recent success in two prestigious industry awards: The Nationals and the Best in America Living Awards (BALA). Spanning diverse categories, these recognitions reflect the depth of our team’s imagination and expertise. Each award is a testament to the dynamic collaboration between our talented designers and visionary clients who push the boundaries of what’s possible, shaping places that elevate the human experience.

And the winners are…

Storytellers at Lyric Eliot Model

The Nationals Gold Award for Best Single Family Detached Model Home (2,000 to 2,500 SF) 

BALA Silver Award for Best Single Family Detached Model Home (2,000 to 2,500 SF)

The Eliot is designed for active families seeking a blend of high design and comfort with versatile details. The mid-century-inspired exterior features trapezoid windows, gabled rooflines, and asymmetrical brick accents, creating a balanced blend of historical influence and modern flair. The interior boasts private spaces like a secluded office, open sightlines, and clerestory windows maximizing natural light and volume. The home has a unique layout with a distinct separation between the primary suite and secondary bedrooms, creating two functional wings. By positioning garage access at the rear, the streetscape remains clean and architecturally focused, contributing to the distinct urban character of the Storytellers Collection at Lyric.

Storytellers at Lyric Maya Model

The Nationals Silver Award for Best Single Family Detached Model Home (2,000 to 2,500 SF) 

BALA Silver Award for Best Single Family Detached Model Home (2,000 to 2,500 SF)

BALA Silver Award for Best Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)

The Maya model is a versatile single-family home design that addresses the growing need for affordable, flexible housing options. Designed to accommodate multigenerational and unique living arrangements, Maya allows for non-traditional uses while upholding a high design standard. Oversized windows bring natural light deep into the entry and hallway, while stacked office and loft spaces create a private, intimate courtyard. A key feature of this model is its spacious accessory dwelling unit (ADU), an award winner on its own. It has its own separate bedroom and informal living space and kitchen, strategically positioned with no shared walls with the main home for enhanced privacy.

Westerly 6130

BALA Silver Award for Best Green Detached or Attached Home

This Four Square-style home from the Premier Collection at Westerly exemplifies thoughtful design in every square inch. The highly efficient yet spacious residence combines exterior beauty with interior intelligence across two stories, a 984 SF basement, and a 3-car garage. Equipped with standard solar panels, the home is zero-energy ready, delivering exceptional air quality and energy efficiency. The design prioritizes second-floor lofts/flex spaces with bedrooms strategically positioned to enhance privacy and reduce noise in the primary suite. Welcoming foyers, family control centers, and spacious front porches complete this gracious, family-friendly home.

Westerly 6150

The Nationals Silver Award for Best Single Family Detached Model Home (3,501 to 4,000 SF)

BALA Gold Award for Best Single Family Detached Model Home (3,501 to 4,000 SF)

Part of Southern Land’s luxury master-planned community, the Westerly 6150 Tudor-inspired home balances traditional articulation with contemporary design. This spacious residence features abundant windows and sliding/bi-folding doors, creating a seamless indoor-outdoor living experience. The design includes a 4-car garage, lofty great room, and a grand 2-story entryway. As with all homes in the Premier Collection, the 6150 incorporates solar panels as standard and is zero-energy ready, ensuring superior air quality and remarkable energy efficiency. The footprint intentionally preserves ample backyard space for entertaining, providing a competitive edge in the submarket.

Sunbridge Basecamp

The Nationals Gold Award for Best Community Welcome Center 

DTJ provided architecture and landscape architecture design for amenities within the Weslyn Park at Sunbridge neighborhood. The Sunbridge Basecamp features two distinctive yurt leasing buildings, a covered pavilion, and a deck complemented by an outdoor community amenity area. Residents and visitors enjoy a lavish event lawn, welcoming pavilion, and a 2-mile bike trail. The yurt design and surrounding elements embrace the nature-forward theme of the region, creating an authentic campsite feel throughout the community.

Regency at Ten Trails Clubhouse

The Nationals Gold Award for Community Amenity 55+

Located in Black Diamond, Washington, the Regency at Ten Trails clubhouse serves as the heart of this active adult community. DTJ provided planning and landscape architecture services for this remarkable 3.9-acre recreation center featuring a 10,000 SF private clubhouse. The design maximizes long, axial views to Mount Rainier from each key outdoor space, with the great room specifically designed to showcase the spectacular mountain vista. Amenities include an indoor pool, fitness center, club lounge, pickleball courts, bocce ball, and a dog park, all thoughtfully integrated with the natural surroundings and preserved evergreen trees.

Wingspan at Bridgeland

BALA Gold Award for Best Community Facility – Building

The Wingspan clubhouse masterfully blends modern rugged structural steel lines with warm natural wood tones and contemporary interpretations of traditional forms. Despite its modest footprint, the resident lounge and adjoining gym offer versatile spaces for relaxation and wellness. Light filters through the skylight onto the rustic wood vaulted ceiling with exposed beams, while large windows invite the outdoors in. The resort-style pool serves as a serene centerpiece, complemented by an expansive outdoor patio with a fire pit gathering area. The design reflects Wingspan at Bridgeland’s commitment to sustainable development, featuring a water reuse system that underscores responsible land stewardship.

Wildflower House at Nolina

BALA Silver Award for Best Community Facility – Building

This “Modern Hill” country amenity serves more than 1,000 single-family homes and will be constructed in phases according to market demand. DTJ provided architectural design for community spaces, including a pool and splash pad, fitness center, yoga lawn, and playground to encourage outdoor activities and social interaction. Large windows and a glass-paned entryway create seamless connectivity between interior and exterior spaces. Future development plans include an activated courtyard with welcoming lighting and open gathering spaces.

A Commitment to Excellence

These awards reflect our team’s unwavering dedication to creating spaces that inspire, connect, and elevate the human experience. From thoughtfully designed single-family homes to vibrant community amenities, each project represents our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and exceptional craftsmanship. We deeply thank our talented design teams and visionary clients who make these achievements possible. Looking to the future, we’re committed to pushing the envelope and setting new architectural and community design standards.