rada custom / 3,500 square feet or less

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  cyronak house, block island, r.i.

  The judges admired the simple lines and casual attitude of this summer and weekend residence on remote Block Island, R.I. At 1,040 square feet, it's the smallest built house that Newport, R.I., architect James Estes has ever designed.

   
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  slough cove residence, martha's vineyard, mass.

  Architect Mark Hutker divided this guesthouse on Martha's Vineyard into two sections, both based on traditional vernacular building forms. While the house is very much in keeping with local design traditions, Hutker and his team put their own spins on time-honored ideas.

   
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  mckeough house, block island, r.i.

  This Block Island retreat keeps the island's architectural tradition of spare buildings intended to withstand harsh conditions.

   
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  eleventh street residence, santa monica, calif.

  To meet their clients' slim budget for this Santa Monica, Calif., custom home, Koning Eizenberg Architecture decided to think of it as a "Crate and Barrel" house.

   
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  hartmann residence, fairfield, conn.

  As is so often the case on a difficult site, this narrow lot inspired a cleverly designed house that makes the most of its footprint.

   
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  the point house, montana

  This is a lovely house, set low, and doesn't make a statement," a judge said. But it has plenty to say about the landscape. Bohlin Cywinski Jackson devised a long, linear platform that treads lightly on the land.

   
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  sheldon gatehouse, cle elum, wash.

  A dark, gated wall lends intrigue to this small house in the forest.

   
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  hooper's island residence, church creek, md.

  Local barns and fishing shacks inspired the simple volumes and minimally pitched shed roofs of this residence on Maryland's Eastern Shore.

   
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  diamond project, san francisco

  Terry & Terry Architecture, Berkeley, Calif. Our jury appreciated the light-filled spaces in this house designed by Alex Terry, AIA, for his family.

   
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  cottage, guilford, conn.

  Gray Organschi Architecture, New Haven, Conn. Small buildings get attention because every detail is exposed, and there's a lot to admire on this accessory cottage in a meadow overlooking Long Island Sound.