Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/134677
I nnovation, customization and relaxation were all key concepts for the winning projects in this year's Alabama Remodeling Excellence Awards (AREA) competition. The 2013 AREA winners were announced at the awards banquet last month in Montgomery. Open to all remodelers, architects, kitchen and bath specialists, and other remodeling industry professionals throughout the state, the AREA program shines a spotlight on outstanding craftsmanship, innovation and attention to detail. To qualify for entry, projects had to have been completed in Alabama between June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2012. The AREA competition was founded by the Greater Birmingham Association of Home Builders. In 2008, the HBAA Remodelers took the program statewide. Participation has increased from year to year, with approximately 100 projects submitted in 2013, a 20% growth from 2012. As further evidence of its continued growth, thirteen first-time entrants were among the companies submitting entries in 2013. Some of this year's winning projects were born out of unexpected losses, including house fires and storm damage. Other projects were fulfillments of dream remodels that had been wished for by the homeowners for years. Many answered the owners' desires for a place to relax and entertain family and friends while incorporating innovative design and custom details. A panel of judges reviewed and scored the entries in a variety of categories ranging from bath and kitchen remodels to universal design to whole house remodels. The highest honor of the AREA competition is the Best in Show award, which is chosen from the top five highest scoring projects. This year's Best in Show winner was the Garner Whole House Remodel project, submitted by Twin Construction, Inc., a member of the Greater Birmingham Association of Home Builders. The project also took first place in the Whole House Remodel $250,000-$500,000 category. The 2013 AREA competition was sponsored by Alabama Power, Alagasco, the Alabama Home Builders Self Insurers Fund, JF Day/Pella and Kohler. Congratulations to all of this year's AREA winners. Sp r i n g 2 0 1 3 | Al a ba m a Hom e bu i l d e r | 9