HOBE SOUND, Fla. — Local residential design firm HousePlans.Guru has earned two national honors in the 2026 American Residential Design Awards (ARDA), presented by the American Institute of Building Design (AIBD) this past Saturday evening in Cleveland, Ohio.
The firm received awards in the highly competitive Working Drawings category for its “Hemingway Estates” home plan and the “Colony Way Pool House” project.
Both award-winning projects showcase HousePlans.Guru’s commitment to producing builder-friendly construction documents that bridge the gap between design intent and efficient on-site execution.
Click the image to see more of Hemingway Estates
The 3,500-square-foot Hemingway Estates single-family home plan earned top honors for its balance of expansive living spaces and meticulous construction details. Designed with flexible multi-generational living in mind, the open-concept floor plan integrates high-wind structural engineering and detailed framing layouts to ensure seamless construction and long-term structural integrity.
Click the image to see more of Colony Way Pool House
The Colony Way Pool House project, developed in collaboration with structural engineer Don Nuelle, PE, was specifically recognized for its high-wind coastal construction detailing and code-compliant design tailored to Florida’s demanding building environment.
“We are honored to receive this national recognition,” said Steve Mickley, FAIBD, founder and primary designer of HousePlans.Guru. “Our focus has always been on creating construction documents that are not only precise but genuinely useful in the field. These awards reinforce the value of clear, coordinated plans that help projects get built right the first time.”
HousePlans.Guru, based in Hobe Sound, provides stock home plans and custom residential design services with a focus on coastal resilience, code compliance, and ease of construction. The award-winning plans reflect the firm’s ongoing commitment to supporting builders, homeowners, and communities with practical, high-quality design solutions.
About the American Residential Design Awards (ARDA): The American Residential Design Awards is the premier national design competition hosted by the American Institute of Building Design (AIBD). The program recognizes excellence in residential design, including custom homes, renovations, and construction documents from top designers across the country.
