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University Home Wins Room of the Year in National Design Competition

WASHINGTON, D.C. – January 23, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — The kitchen in the chancellor’s residence at North Carolina State University has been selected as Room of the Year in the 2012 Best in American Living Awards (BALA) by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

Designed by Marvin Malecha and Weinstein Friedlein Architects in Raleigh and Carrboro, N.C., and built by Rufty Homes Inc. of Cary, the home overlooks Lake Raleigh on the school’s Centennial Campus. The residence is home to North Carolina State University’s chancellor and his wife.

The interior design and merchandizing were done by the Raleigh-based Design Lines Ltd. North Carolina State University served as developer and land planner for the project.

The kitchen serves a large reception area that can comfortably accommodate up to 200 people. Designed to meet the catering preparation needs of large functions, the kitchen was also designed to be the heart of the family that lives there. Black marble counters, white cabinets, chrome fixtures and simple forms give the interior a familial feel with a historic touch. The soaring ceiling makes the kitchen airy and open. Stainless-steel appliances and inset-recessed panel doors complete the professional appeal of the kitchen.

“This home evokes the vision and aspiration of a great university,” said Skip Howes, 2012 chair of NAHB’s design committee and president of Scott Homes Ltd. in Woodland Park, Colo.

“As one of the judges noted, this project has stunning soaring spaces, lovely natural light and beautiful cabinetry,” Howes said. “The detail work is very well done.”

Because North Carolina State University includes an architecture school, it was important to university officials that the residence be both inspirational in design and built with sustainable practices, energy efficiency and in-state sourced products.

The school will use the reception room as a focus for the university’s efforts to build relationships with private donors. The residence was funded by donations from more than 70 individuals and corporations.

Now in its 29th year, BALA recognizes outstanding achievement by builders and design professionals in all sectors of the residential housing industry including single-family production, custom, rental, affordable, interiors, remodeling, community and international, based on the principle that good design is not and should not be limited to high-priced and/or custom homes. Even the simplest, most affordable homes can receive an award if they showcase good design.

Award winners were announced during the annual NAHB International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas.

Additional Information about the BALA program can be found at www.nahb.org/BALA, including the 2012 BALA Portfolio, featuring a review of design trends and scores of project photographs.