(November 4, 2025. Sacramento, CA) A beautifully composed residence realized by a master of natural light; affordable housing that is a model not only for its own typology but for all housing projects, with its generous open space and subtly shifting material palette; and an off-the-grid home that rebuilt a fire torn residence, were amongst the recipients of the 2025 AIA California Residential Architecture Awards.
“California architects continue to deliver innovation and carefully articulated design to clients and communities,” said AIA California President Carina Mills, AIA. “Our primary charge has always been shelter; the residential architecture awarded this year demonstrates the architect’s capacity to deliver new approaches to physical and mental well-being.”
From a total of 82 submissions the jury selected ten 2025 award recipients: two Honor Awards, four Merits, and four Citations. This year’s jury was comprised of: Michael Folonis, FAIA – Founding Principal and Design Director of Michael W. Folonis Architects; Katherine Hogan, FAIA – Owner and Principal of Katherine Hogan Architects; Casper Mork-Ulnes, AIA – Founder and Principal of Mork-Ulnes.
For a complete list of all recipients, firms, project locale, and jury notes, see below or view images of here:
HONOR
Bearing House (Santa Monica, California)
dub studios
Simple, elegant, and nicely composed. This single-family residence is designed by someone who truly understands how to usher light into space; it adds to the understanding of architecture through unconventional approaches to window placement. Even the basement level is thoughtfully addressed and a nice space.
Rose Apartments (Venice, California)
Brooks Scarpa Huber Architects
An affordable housing project that sets new standards. The open space is overly generous, allowing for natural light and cross ventilation for every unit. The material language for each elevation adjusts for shifts in context—a benefit of being a research-oriented architect unafraid to tweak materials. This is a model not only for affordable housing, but all housing projects.
MERIT
Barrington1503 (Los Angeles, California)
Lorcan O’Herlihy Architects
Maximizing community engagement through thoughtful and inventive massing this project is a new expression of the growing co-living typology. Its four volumes are an intelligent way to break down and separate the apartment living experience, and to draw natural light and ventilation in the core of the building.
Brunson Terrace (Santa Monica, California)
Brooks Scarpa Huber Architects
A sensible, innovative, and a fresh vision of how humans can live in a mixed-use apartment. The architectural moves are highly thought out with massing that allows the courtyard to be porous in view to and from the public. The jury commends the developer for respecting how important it is for tenants to live comfortably and without a compromised building. 100 % net zero, LEED Platinum is impressive for affordable housing.
Cole Valley Residence (San Francisco, California)
Jensen Architects
A home that takes full advantage of the views. The indoor-outdoor relationships are seamlessly and thoughtfully connected in-spite of the steep sloping site conditions. The project is realized by someone who really understands this area of San Francisco and is a master of section. The interior is finely detailed with a simple and limited palette allowing the view to speak for itself.
Pine Flat (Healdsburg, California)
Faulkner Architects
An off the grid house with high sustainability goals and a simplicity and roughness that’s appropriate for the context. It’s a good example of a strong fire-rebuild. The retention and reuse of the original foundation creates interesting spaces, while its sloping roof and materials palette integrates nicely into the site.
CITATION
Hillsborough Residence (Hillsborough, California)
RO | ROCKETT DESIGN
A thoughtful, well-crafted and detailed home. The scale, materials, and screen layering are very nice done. It’s a beautiful project.
Kapuso at the Upper Yard (San Francisco, California)
Mithun
The jury appreciates this thoughtful response to a brutal site: a well-done affordable housing project realized through a well-conceived language and vocabulary. The exterior elevations and cladding work in harmony.
Green House (Palo Alto, California)
S^A | Schwartz and Architecture
The jury commends client and architect for this nicely done restoration and renovation. The extension is accomplished with a light touch that retains the character of the original design. Though the finishes could be handled more discerningly, the original design intent is largely kept intact, an important piece.
Vineyard Residence (Buellton, California)
Clayton Korte
A simple and bold project that sits well on its site, offering a beautiful reminder that good design need not be overly complicated. The interior is well detailed and executed, while exterior materials address climate and context with fire hardened materials.
About the American Institute of Architects California (AIA CA)
AIA California is dedicated to serving its members, and uniting all architecture professionals in the design of a more just, equitable, and resilient future through advocacy, education, and political action. The organization represents the interests of more than 11,000 architects and allied professionals in California. Founded in 1944, the AIA CA is the largest component of the national AIA organization. For more information, visit www.aiacalifornia.or
