Awards

Over the years, homes designed by James McDonald have received well over 100 awards from local and national design competitions. James McDonald was the Project Designer and Architect of record for the following awards:

2020 GALA Awards

James McDonald Associate Architects celebrated some victories at the Northern Virginia Building association 2020 “Great American Living Awards”.

We had two “Winners”:

SpeculativeInfill-1

2020 GALA Winner – Custom home by DNDL Construction Great Falls Model – Speculative infill, Under 3000 s.f.

DeepWood-1

2020 GALA Winner – Brookmont Homes at Deepwood Lane, Lots from 3,000 to 5,000 s.f.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We also had two “Award of Merit” Winners:

Springvale Model- Speculative infill custom 3,000-5,000 s.f. Built by Springvale development LLC

Kurtz Road – Speculative infill custom 5,000-7,000 s.f. Built by Joy Custom Design Build

2019 GALA Winners

Four Winning GALA projects and builders that swept the infill and speculative categories are:

CameronRoad-1

2019 GALA Winner – Vine Custom Homes at West Cameron Road in Arlington, VA, Under 3000 s.f

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2019 GALA Winner – Bernitt Builders at Shepard street in Bethesda, MD, Lots from 3,000 to 5,000 s.f.

CameronRoad-1

2019 GALA Winner – Monogram Homes at Towlston Road, Mclean VA, Lots from 5,000 to 7,000 s.f.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GreatFalls-1

2019 GALA Winner – The Building Group for Chateaux Du Lune in Great Falls, VA, Lots over 7,000 s.f.

2019 Award of Merit Winners

Carrington Homes: Glenfield Model – Single Family large lot $700,000-850,000

The Building Group: Pool and landscape – Special feature in a House or product line

Joy Custom Design Build: N. Nelson St Custom, Arlington Va. – Custom Home 5,000-7,000 s.f.

Artisan Builders: Madison Model – Speculative/infill 3,000-5,000 s.f.

Virginia Custom Builders – Rosemont Dr – Speculative/Infill 5,000-7,000 s.f.

North Fork Design Build – Ingleside Ave. Renovation Under $500,000

2018 Great American Living Awards!

Winners:

Glenfield-1

2018 GALA Winner – Design and Architecture, Detached Home, Lots 7,000 sf and over
$700,001 – $850,000
– The Glenfield  –

2018 GALA Winner – Design and Architecture, Custom Home, Single Lot
3,000 -5,000 sf
– 36th Street Custom –

2018 GALA Winner – Design and Architecture, Custom Home, Single Lot
Over 7,000 sf
– Old Tolson Mill –

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2018 GALA Winner – Design and Architecture, Renovations or Additions
$500,000 – $1,000,000
– Eaton Place –

2018 GALA Winner – Design and Architecture, Custom or Customized Infill Home
5,001 sf – 7,000 sf
– Bull Neck – The Newport –

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Awards of Merit:

2018 Award of Merit – Design and Architecture, Detached Home, Lots 7,000 sf and over
$850,001 – $1,000,000
– Berkeley Manor Deluxe –

2018 Award of Merit – Design and Architecture, Custom Home, Single Lot
3,000 sf – 5,000 sf
– Leland Street –

2018 Award of Merit – Design and Architecture, Custom or Customized Infill Home, Single Lot
3,000 sf – 5,000 sf
-Kellogg Drive –

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2018 Award of Merit – Design and Architecture, Renovations or Additions
Under $500,000
– Evers Drive –

2018 Award of Merit – Design and Architecture, Renovations or Additions
$500,000 – $1,000,000
– Round Pebble Lane –

2018 Award of Merit – Design and Architecture, Renovations or Additions
Over $1,000,000
– Leigh Mill Road –

2017 Great American Living Awards!

Winners:

HOME OF THE YEAR!

2017 Custom Home of the year
Arnon Chapel Road
Great Falls, VA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Category Winners:

2017 GALA Winner – Design and Architecture, Custom Home, Single Lot
3,000 – 5,000 sf
-Arnon Chapel Road-

2017 GALA Winner – Design and Architecture, Custom Home, Single Lot
5,001 – 7,000 sf
-North Nelson Street-

2017 GALA Winner – Design and Architecture, Custom or Customized Infill Home
Under 3,000 sf
-Leland Street-

 

 

2017 GALA Winner – Design and Architecture, Custom or Customized Infill Home
5,001 – 7,000 sf
-Daleview-

2017 GALA Winner – Design and Architecture, Renovations or Additions
Under $500,000
-Clarks Run Garage-

2017 GALA Winner – Design and Architecture, Renovations or Additions
$500,000 – $1,000,000
-52nd Street Lot 2-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Awards of Merit:

2017 Award of Merit – Design and Architecture, Custom Home, Single Lot
3,000 – 5,000 sf
-Arbor Street-

2017 Award of Merit – Design and Architecture, Renovations or Additions
$500,000 – $1,000,000
-Garfield Street-

2016 Great American Living Awards

Winners:

HOME OF THE YEAR!

gtown-spec-1

2016 Home of the Year
– Le Chateau de Lumiere –
Great Falls, VA

 

Category Winners:

walhondingrd-1

2016 GALA Winner – Design and Architecture, Custom Home, Single Lot
3,000 – 5,000 sf
– Walhonding Pond –

dogwood_1

2016 GALA Winner – Design and Architecture, Custom Home, Single Lot
Over 7,000 sf
– Dogwood Avenue –

1st-1

2016 GALA Winner – Design and Architecture, Custom or Customized Infill Home
Under 3,000 sf
– 1st Road –

 

 

arbor-1

2016 GALA Winner – Design and Architecture, Custom or Customized Infill Home
3,000 – 5,000 sf
– Arbor Lane –

8116 Spring Hill Farm Dr-large-002-61-DSC 8544-1499x1000-72dpi

2016 GALA Winner – Design and Architecture, Custom or Customized Infill Home
5,001 – 7,000 sf
– Spring Hill Farm – The Newport –

fallsrun_4

2016 GALA Winner – Design and Architecture, Renovations or Additions
$500,000 – $1,000,000
– Falls Run –

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Awards of Merit:

gtown-spec-1

2016 Award of Merit – Design and Architecture, Custom Home, Single Lot
Over 7,000 sf
– Le Chateau de Lumiere –

exterior front, Poe

2016 Award of Merit – Design and Architecture, Custom or Customized Infill Home
3,000 – 5,000 sf
– Poe Road –

2016 Aurora Awards

South East Builder’s Conference Winners:

Grand Aurora Award Winner:

fallsrun_4

Best Renovated or Restored Single House
– Falls Run –
Mclean, VA

 

Aurora Award:

8116 Spring Hill Farm Dr-large-002-61-DSC 8544-1499x1000-72dpi

Best Custom Home
6,000 – 8,000 sf
Spring Hill Farm – Newport Model 
McLean, VA

2015 Great American Living Awards

Winners:

DSC_3933

2015 GALA Winner – Design and Architecture, Custom Home Single Lot
3,000 sf – 5,000 sf
– Upland Avenue –

7718 Lisle Ave Falls Church VA-MLS_Size-002-Exterior  Front-2048x1536-72dpi

2015 GALA Winner – Design and Architecture, Custom or Customized Infill Home
Under 3,000 sf
– The Ardmore –

earnestine front 1

2015 GALA Winner – Design and Architecture, Renovations or Additions
$500,000 – $1,000,000
– Earnestine Remodel –

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Awards of Merit:

10315 Georgetown Pike Great-print-004-Georgetown Pike-4200x2809-300dpi

2015 Award of Merit – Design and Architecture, Custom Home or Customized Infill Home
5,001 – 7,000 sq. ft.
– The Bellagio –

 

2015 Aurora Awards

South East Builder’s Conference Winners:

Grand Aurora Award:

6800 Benjamin Street

Best in State – Virginia
Detached Single Family Home
$2,000,0001 – $3,000,000
– Clinton Place –
Mclean

003_Whittier_Blvd_85647

Best in State – Maryland
Detached Single Family Home
$1,000,001 – $1,500,000
– Whittier Model –
Bethesda















Aurora Award:

6800 Benjamin Street

Detached Single Family Home
$2,000,0001 – $3,000,000
– Clinton Place –

2015 Custom Builder Awards

Maryland Building Industry Association Winner:

003_Whittier_Blvd_85647

2015 MBIA GOLD Winner – Speculative Home
3,500 – 5,000 sf
– Whittier Model –
Castlewood Consulting

 

2014 Great American Living Awards

Winners:

IMG_20140109_083138670_HDR

2014 GALA Winner – Design and Architecture, Custom or Customized Infill Home
3,000 sf – 5,000 sf
– The Melbourne –

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2014 GALA Winner – Design and Architecture, Custom or Customized Infill Home
5,001 sf – 7,000 sf
– The Amberly –

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Awards of Merit:

Towlston_exterior1

2014 Award of Merit – Design and Architecture, Custom Home, Single Lot
5,001 sf – 7,000 sf
– Towlston Custom Villa –

Custom-Home-Mclean-VA-Stairs-1-1024x681

2014 Award of Merit – Design and Architecture, Custom or Customized Infill Lot
3,000 sf – 5,000 sf
– Franklin Street –

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2014 Award of Merit – Design and Architecture, Renovations and Additions
$500,000 – $1,000,000
– Windsor Road –

2014 Custom Builder Awards

Maryland National Capital Custom Builder Awards

2014 Custom Builder Award of Excellence GOLD Speculative Traditional Home<br> The Stratford </br>

2014 Custom Builder Award of Excellence GOLD Speculative Traditional Home
 – The Stratford –

2014 Custom Builder Award of Excellence GOLD Kitchen design
– The Stratford Kitchen –

2014 Custom Builder Award of Excellence Bronze Whole house renovation over 2,000 S.F.

2014 Custom Builder Award of Excellence Bronze Whole house renovation over 2,000 S.F.
 – Ridge Road –

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2013 Greatest American Living Awards

Northern Virginia Building Industry Association

October 2013

  • 2013 Winner – Best Whole House Renovation – Addition Park Road Built By Relux Homes
  • 2013 Winner – Custom Home – Over 7,000 s.f. Georgetown Pike Custom
  • 2013 Winner – Custom Home 5,000 s.f. -7,000 s.f.
  • 2013 Winner – Detached Home on Large Lot over $1mil Regency Model
  • 2013 Award of Merit – Custom Home 3,000 s.f.-5,000 s.f.

Archived Awards 2010 – 2013

2013 Custom Builder Awards

Maryland National Capital Custom Builder Awards
2013 Custom Builder Award of Excellence GOLD Speculative Home 5,000-7,500 s.f.
2013 Custom Builder Award of Excellence SILVER Speculative Home 3,500-5,000 s.f.
2013 Custom Builder Award of Excellence SILVER Custom Home 5,000-7,500 s.f.

2012 Gala Awards:

Winner Best Custom Home one-of-a-Kind under $1,200,000 – Clinton Model
Winner Best Residential Remodel over $1,000,000 – Randall Court

2011 Gala Awards:

Winner – Custom One-Of-a Kind Home for under $1,600,000 – Wemberly Way
Award of Merit- Whole house Remodel $500,000- Brook Road
Award of Merit –Custom one of kind under $1,600,0000 – Colvin Model
Award of Merit – Design and Architecture over $700,000

2010 Gala Awards:

Winner – Residential Remodeling – Lost Acre Lane.
Award of Merit – One of a Kind Custom Home – Carrwood Road.

Archived Awards 2003 – 2009

James McDonald was the Project Designer and Architect of record for the following awards

Gala Awards 2009

Northern Virginia Building Industry Association and the Maryland National Capitol Building Industry Associations

  • Best Design and Architecture, Detached Home Under 2,500 finished sq. ft. – Winner: Lady Smith Village, Christopher Companies
  • 3,201 – 3,800 finished sq. ft. – Winner: Green Acre, The Building Group
  • 3,201 – 3,800 finished sq. ft. – Award of Merit: Tyson’s Chase, Marquis Homes
  • Over 9,000 finished sq. ft. – Winner: Raspberry Falls, Marquis Homes
  • Best Design and Architecture, Attached Home 3,301 – 3,900 finished sq. ft. – Winner: Maple Lawn – Hillside District, Mitchell & Best Homebuilders
  • Best Residential Remodeling Full Remodeling Under $500,000 – Winner: Monticello Park

Monument Awards 2008

Northern Virginia Building Industry Association and the Maryland National Capitol Building Industry Associations

  • Single-Family Homes (on lots 7,000 s.f. and over) $800,001-$900,000 Honorable Mention Grand Augusta – the follo
  • Single-Family Homes (on lots 7,000 s.f. and over)  $1,000,001-$1,100,000 Winner: Orchard -The Building Group
  • Attached Housing Including Townhouses, Back-to-Back Townhouses & Duplexes  $500,001-$600,000, Award of Merit: Mayfair Series Avonlea- Edgemoore Homes.
  • Attached Housing Including Townhouses, Back-to-Back Townhouses & Duplexes $600,001-$700,000, Award of Merit: Siena- Beechtree – Mid-Atlantic Builders, Inc.
  • Attached Housing Including Townhouses, Back-to-Back Townhouses & Duplexes $700,001-$800,000, Winner: Verona Beechtree – Mid-Atlantic Builders, Inc.
  • One-Of-A-Kind Single Family Homes Over $1,500,000, Honorable Mention: Private Residence – Hallowing Point – GREAT FALLS CONSTRUCTION
  • Customized Single-Family Homes $1,000,000-$1,500,000, Award of Merit: The Carlton – Tysons Chase- Marquis Homeswing
  • Outstanding Feature in a New or Remodeled Home Master Suite (includes master bathroom), Winner: Verona Master Suite- Beechtree -Mid-Atlantic Builders, Inc.

2007 Custom Builder Awards of excellence

Maryland National Capital Building Industry Association Traditional Custom Home

  • Silver: University Homes
  • Aurora awards 2007- South East Building Conference
  • Custom Home Aurora Award Winner: North Fork Custom Home Purcellville, VA
  • Detached Single Family Aurora Award Winner & Best In state Grand Award Winner: Fenwick Model Equity Homes, Rehoboth, DE

2007 monument awards

Northern Virginia Building Industry Association and the Maryland National Capitol Building Industry Associations

  • Co-Winner, $650,001-$750,000: Fenwick, Sawgrass at White Oak Creek: Equity Homes
  • Co-Winner, $650,001-$750,000: Turnberry, Avonlea : Edgemoore Homes
  • Winner, $950,000: Juniper : The Building Group
  • Winner, $450,001-$500,000: Oxford, Avonlea : Edgemoore Homes
  • Winner, $550,001-$600,000: Stratton, Avonlea : Edgemoore Homes
  • Winner, $600,001-$700,000: Trafalgar, Avonlea : Edgemoore Homes
  • Winner, $2,000,001-$3 Million: The Jefferson, Iman Estates: Elite Homes
  • Special Achievements In Affordable Housing, Winner: Avonlea, Avonlea : Edgemoore Homes
  • Implementation of an Innovative Product Line, Winner: Avonlea, Avonlea : Edgemoore Homes

2006 NAHB 50+ Housing Council

  • Silver Achievement award – Active adult home design – home size over 2400 sq, ft., Pinear Laurel – Central Parke at Victoria Falls

Aurora Award 2005- South East Building Conference

  • Detached single family home $750,000-1,000,000 Grand Aurora Award: Knole model Lansdowne Va.

Aurora Award 2006- South East Building Conference

  • Custom Home (one of a Kind) $1,500,000-2,000,000 Grand Aurora Award: Custom Residence Middleburg, Va.

BALA 2003

Best in American Living Awards

  • Gold Winner BEST ATTACHED HOME UP TO AND INCLUDING 8 UNITS PER ACRE: Evans Farm – Belvedere, McLean, Va
  • Gold Winner BEST ATTACHED HOME UP TO AND INCLUDING 8 UNITS PER ACRE: Evans Farm – Belvedere, McLean, Va