The 2024 Gold Nugget Award Winners Announced

The Gold Nugget Awards are the oldest and most prestigious design awards in the nation. Winning an award of this caliber speaks volumes about the hard work and dedication architects and designers alike put into their projects and livelihoods.

This year’s competition drew 675 entries in more than 60 categories, including single-family production, interior design, custom homes, site planning, multifamily, mixed-use, affordable, commercial, and renovations. Jurors selected several merit winners in each grouping and elevated one project to become the grand winner.

So, without further ado, here are some Gold Nugget Grand Award Winners from California and Arizona!

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SB Residence
Scottsdale, AZ
Builder: Build Inc Design + Build
Architect/Designer: Tate Studio Architects
Landscape Design: High Desert Designs

Best Custom Home under 5,000 sq. ft.

Layered walls of exposed concrete block and solar-powered stair lights lead the path to this 4,471-square-foot residence. In appreciation of the property’s unique amenities, the design utilized the terrain of the lot and the native vegetation. Nestled gently on the property, the home is angled to take advantage of the sun orientation and city light views.

The split-level desert modern structure is composed using a simple palette of stone tile, cast-in-place concrete, precision masonry, stucco, metal, and glass, with clean architectural lines and a neutral contrasting color palette.

SB Residence
Scottsdale, AZ
Builder: Build Inc Design + Build
Architect/Designer: Tate Studio Architects
Landscape Design: High Desert Designs

The goal of the project was for the owners to live harmoniously within the natural surroundings. The large expanses of glass, clerestory windows, and stacked sliding doors create the feel of living in the view. To further blur the line between where the home ends and the desert begins, native garden beds and planters were added along the perimeter of the house. Anchoring the cantilevered patio is a modern infinity pool with a zero and negative edge border, an elongated fire feature, lounge and outdoor dining areas.

Emerald Residence
Laguna Beach, CA
Builder: Gallo Builders
Architect/Designer: Brandon Architects
Landscape Design: MDZA Landscape Arch. & Planning
Civil Engineer: Toal Engineering, Inc.
Interior Design: Summer Jensen

Best Custom Home 7,500 to 9,000 sq. ft.

This modern coastal home consists of extended roof eaves, natural wood ceilings, raked limestone veneer, smooth-coat stucco, and exposed steel with black metal accents. Due to the steep slope of the site, the home has been terraced into hillside to limit the extent of grading and provide relief in massing to the street.

To maximize views, the reverse living layout places the primary living spaces on the third level with stunning views of the Laguna Beach coastline and Pacific Ocean beyond. Massive steel doors at the living room slide over the entry door/atrium below to completely open the living spaces onto the view deck.

Emerald Residence
Laguna Beach, CA
Builder: Gallo Builders
Architect/Designer: Brandon Architects
Landscape Design: MDZA Landscape Arch. & Planning
Civil Engineer: Toal Engineering, Inc.
Interior Design: Summer Jensen

Several passive daylighting techniques were implemented throughout the home such as fixed overhangs, brise soleil, and screen elements to maximize access to natural daylight (as well as coastal views) with the use of window walls, clerestory windows, and floor-to-ceiling sliding doors.

Hidden Oaks Modern
Lafayette, CA
Developer: TML, Inc
Architect/Designer: Michael Gale, Architect
Landscape Design: Environmental Foresight, Inc
Civil Engineer: Humann Company
Interior Design: Michael Gale, Architect

The site is a flag lot, up and behind the neighbors, on a narrow hillside pad in a grove of existing Oaks. There was a vacant small home from the 1940s on the lot that was in such a state of disrepair as to be completely unsalvageable. The design objectives were to fit a new larger home on this very small pad and take advantage of the site’s forested seclusion, privacy and distant views.

Hidden Oaks Modern
Lafayette, CA
Developer: TML, Inc
Architect/Designer: Michael Gale, Architect
Landscape Design: Environmental Foresight, Inc
Civil Engineer: Humann Company
Interior Design: Michael Gale, Architect

Part of the solution came in cantilevering the home out over the driveway first to get more program than could fit on the small build site and second to create a unique glass enclosed room that is physically reaching out to the surrounding Oak trees. In addition, other parts of the home employ lots of floor to ceiling glazing, including an 11’ tall corner sliding glass door at the living room, to connect the occupants with the outdoors. The home was built on spec with a goal of bringing high quality, site specific, modern architecture- at a reasonable construction budget- to the local spec-built market. Agent feedback was tremendously positive as homes at this level are most often build-to-suit and rarely accessible to the buyer pool.

Toll Brothers at Adero Canyon - Catteau
Fountain Hills, AZ
Builder: Toll Brothers
Architect/Designer: RFT Design
Interior Design: Ryan Young Interiors

Best Single Family Detached Home — 2,500 to 3,000 sq. ft.

This single-level home design is as beautiful as it is functional. The open floor plan showcases 13’ ceilings in the main living areas and seamless indoor-outdoor living through two multi-slide doors. The gourmet kitchen with oversized center island overlooks the casual dining area and great room, providing an ideal space to entertain.

Toll Brothers at Adero Canyon - Catteau
Fountain Hills, AZ
Builder: Toll Brothers
Architect/Designer: RFT Design
Interior Design: Ryan Young Interiors

The palatial primary bedroom suite is a retreat of its own with direct outdoor access and a serene primary bath that showcases a dual-sink vanity, large soaking tub, and luxe walk-in shower. The sizable secondary bedrooms, each with a private bathroom, provide versatile living options for family members, overnight guests, or an in-home office.

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SHAWOOD at Sommers Bend - Yuri Plan 1
Temecula, CA
Builder: SHAWOOD
Developer: Woodside Homes
Architect/Designer: KTGY
Planner: Rick Engineering Company
Landscape Design: In-Site Landscape Architecture, Inc.
Civil Engineer: Rick Engineering Company

Best Single Family Detached Home — 3,001 to 3,499 sq. ft.

Designed with research-based features throughout the home to increase well-being and accommodate the dynamic needs of modern lifestyles, this home offers versatile spaces tailored for guest accommodations, work, play and entertainment. Whether fostering connections by hosting gatherings, or seeking moments of solitude, the home’s layout balances communal areas with private retreats, ensuring every resident finds their sanctuary.

SHAWOOD at Sommers Bend - Yuri Plan 1
Temecula, CA
Builder: SHAWOOD
Developer: Woodside Homes
Architect/Designer: KTGY
Planner: Rick Engineering Company
Landscape Design: In-Site Landscape Architecture, Inc.
Civil Engineer: Rick Engineering Company

The builder’s proprietary post and beam framing system not only makes these homes stronger, natural disaster resistant and more precise, but it also provides design flexibility, shown in the “Arawashi Beam (Exposed Beam)” option, which enhances the great room with the warmth of wood, while showcasing the structural frame of the home.

SHAWOOD at Sommers Bend - Yuri Plan 1
Temecula, CA
Builder: SHAWOOD
Developer: Woodside Homes
Architect/Designer: KTGY
Planner: Rick Engineering Company
Landscape Design: In-Site Landscape Architecture, Inc.
Civil Engineer: Rick Engineering Company

The builder paid specific attention to design features meant to help reduce daily stress. The prep kitchen helps keep the main kitchen clean, while connected to the drop zone and laundry, creating efficient flow lines and reducing potential clutter. The office space is intentionally located near the entrance, so visitors can quickly enter during the daytime. Structural options such as a guest casita, super shower in the primary, included covered patio and bonus room showcase thoughtful spaces intended to increase happiness throughout every part of this home.

Rosewood at Camden Park Plan 3
San Jose, CA
Builder: Robson Homes
Landscape Design: Design Focus
Interior Design:Design Line Interiors

Best Single Family Detached Home — 3,500 to 4,000 sq. ft.

Tucked away near a lush neighborhood park, this two-story plan captures the charm of the idyllic surroundings with a cottage aesthetic and a modern touch. The timeless architectural design is set within tree-lined streets and white picket fences with rich custom details including recessed windows, wood trim, siding, shingles and brick. A thoughtful use of materials and colors enhances a sense of warmth, comfort and coziness, while the strong proportions are anchored by a front porch as a charming first impression.

Rosewood at Camden Park Plan 3
San Jose, CA
Builder: Robson Homes
Landscape Design: Design Focus
Interior Design:Design Line Interiors

The interiors are designed to maximize comfort and provide all the amenities of contemporary living with custom-built quality. The plan delivers flexible use of space including home offices, lofts, and ample storage, in addition to the four bedrooms and four-and-a-half baths.

Rosewood at Camden Park Plan 3
San Jose, CA
Builder: Robson Homes
Landscape Design: Design Focus
Interior Design:Design Line Interiors

Separate living and family rooms, “formal” dining room spaces, eat-in nooks and sloping ceilings are a nod to traditional living and capture the essence of the surrounding neighborhood. Abundant natural light fills the rooms and highlights the attention to detail at every turn. An efficient and comfortable accessory dwelling unit responds to the state’s housing initiatives with opportunities for flexible living or additional income.

Sereno Canyon - The Sunburst
Scottsdale, AZ
Builder: Toll Brothers
Architect/Designer: Toll Architecture
Interior Design:Ryan Young Interiors

Best Single Family Detached Home — more than 4,750 sq. ft.

This home is the definition of indoor-outdoor living. Designed for entertaining with the incredible Sonoran Desert setting in mind, this single-level home showcases an expansive great room and gourmet kitchen with soaring 14’ ceilings and dual 20’ multi-slide pocket doors that harmoniously blend the indoor and outdoor living spaces together.

Sereno Canyon - The Sunburst
Scottsdale, AZ
Builder: Toll Brothers
Architect/Designer: Toll Architecture
Interior Design:Ryan Young Interiors

The prep kitchen is a showpiece of its own as it connects to an outdoor kitchen and entertaining space with 360-degree views of the McDowell Mountains. The primary bedroom suite serves as a private oasis with a luxurious spa-like bathroom and direct outdoor access to a secluded spa area.

Sereno Canyon - The Sunburst
Scottsdale, AZ
Builder: Toll Brothers
Architect/Designer: Toll Architecture
Interior Design:Ryan Young Interiors

The sizable secondary bedrooms each with a full bath and walk-in closet feature large windows to help capitalize on the panoramic mountain views. The detached multi-gen suite offers overnight guests a private retreat with a living area and wet bar that overlook the incredible resort-style backyard and mountain views beyond.

Part and Counterpart
Location: Paradise Valley, Ariz.
Architect:Drewett Works
Builder: Bedbrock Developers
Interior designer: Ownby Design

Best Indoor/Outdoor Lifestyle for a Custom Home 

With Camelback Mountain as its backdrop to the west and the Four Peaks Mountain Range to the east, Part and Counterpart is as unique as its setting.

Taking an unorthodox approach to the layout, the architect created two “L’s.” Limestone, glass, and plaster are the primary materials.

A glassed-in entry atrium looks directly to the pool and connects the guest quarters on the left and the main living spaces to the right. The guest wing has three pods: two suites divided by a den with floor-to-ceiling glass walls. The main living area is open and bright, with the kitchen, dining area and great room flowing from one area to the next. Grounding the space is a black block wall that houses the owner’s wine collection. Bands of windows on the west side reveal Camelback Mountain as a work of art. On the east side, a magnificent 50-foot-long pocketing door opens the entire area to the pool and pavilion. The primary suite features a floating peninsula glass shower and a classic his-and-hers wardrobe.

Outdoors, a negative-edge pool is set between the house and a two-story wellness pavilion. The structure offers seating and fire features on both levels and an exercise room under a glass-bottom spa on the second story.

Cozy Camelview
Architecture:Drewett Works
Builder: Bedbrock Developers
Interior designer: Ownby Design
Photography: Dino Tonn
Videography: Phoenix Drone

Best Interior Design of a Custom or One-of-a-Kind Home 

Designed for a casual lifestyle and entertaining, Cozy Camelview embraces guests, the views and the ease of indoor-outdoor living in Arizona.
When the owners decided to downsize, they wanted to build a lock-and-leave, low-maintenance home with a compact imprint. Set on a quarter acre near the base of Camelback Mountain, the 3,848-square-foot residence lives large with its open-concept layout and 2,000 square feet of patio space.
Described by the architect as a “front-loaded” house, its entry gate opens to an inviting courtyard. Although typically at the back of the house, the outdoor living space is situated to make the most of the incredible view. Decked out with durable contemporary furniture that complements the interiors, the patio is outfitted with a three-sided fireplace, hot tub, planting beds, barbecue bar and a putting green.
Adjacent to the patio is the great room, which has floor-to-ceiling glass doors that, when pocketed open, make the distinction between inside and out barely perceptible. With its open floor plan, the three-bedroom residence has a simple color and materials palette that suits its contemporary style.
A sleek kitchen features appliances concealed behind rift-cut white oak millwork and ovens set seamlessly into the cabinetry. The architect likens the architectural design of the interiors to a “little Swiss army knife” due to all the hidden doors, including one leading to the pantry.
Impeccably detailed with tasteful furnishings, this home with a view is a testament to the beauty and simplicity of design.

We would also like to congratulate our friends at Swaback Architects + Planners, Iconic by Kaitlyn Wolfe, Patterson Custom Homes, Cosan Studio, Spinnaker Development, Denise Morrison, Alisha Taylor Interiors, Drewett Works, Refined Gardens, Ownby Design, Candelaria Design Associates, Berghoff Design, Stratton Architects, Silver Sky Development, Landry Design Group, Camelot Homes, Creative Environments, Bedbrock Developers, Vallone Design and PHX Architecture.