Scroll to meet the winner of Andersen’s Bright Ideas Awards in the unbuilt category, and see all the brilliant nominees here.

“To me, sustainable design means doing what’s right for the environment, the project, and the community,” says architect and developer Jason Boyer of the vision behind KARMA, the multifamily project his firm, Boyer Vertical, is currently planning in North Phoenix, Arizona. “I want to add value to the neighborhood, and create homes that look good, function well, and are timeless.”

Filled with light from above, the kitchen occupies the center of the home." layout="wide" credit="Courtesy of Boyer Vertical" photoUserId=""/>

Designed to encourage community and make the most of indoor/outdoor living, each of the eleven homes is flooded with natural light from above, particularly in the sunny kitchen areas. Sliding glass doors offer passive cooling and connect the common spaces to the backyard.

“Among the key things we learned from the pandemic is the fact that people gravitate toward living outdoors—especially in Arizona, where the weather is amazing six months out of the year,” Boyer says. “The passive shading strategy makes outdoor living more comfortable and enjoyable.”

Besides capitalizing on the weather, the project includes numerous energy-efficient features, including a compact footprint that’s highly insulated, LED lighting throughout, built-in smart technology, solar wiring, and plug-ins for electric vehicles in the garages. According to Boyer, the units will likely be 50 percent more energy efficient than a standard new home, and 80 percent more efficient than the typical resale home.

Rebecca Rudolph, a principal of the Los Angeles–based architecture firm Design, Bitches, recently reviewed the project as a judge for Andersen’s Bright Ideas Design Awards, and notes a few key details that add up to its overall appeal. “The project is an interesting combination of smaller-scale housing, double-height spaces, and maximized outdoor living,” she says. “It’s a nice use of simple materials and landscape integration.”

Fellow design award judge Brandon Berg of Andersen Doors & Windows agrees, noting how inviting the project will be once completed. “There’s a good balance of sustainable design and features customers are looking for,” he notes. Award judge Lisa Iwamoto of IwamotoScott adds: “They are very handsome buildings—serene and sophisticated.”

Project Details

Andersen Bright Ideas Awards Winner (Unbuilt Category)
Architect: Boyer Vertical
Project: KARMA
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Scheduled Completion: Spring 2022

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