The Best in American Living Award (BALA) - 2006

Block Build Project

Elgin, Illinois (Silver Award)

Description: The Block Build Project in Elgin, Illinois reflects city and county goals to maintain high-quality affordable housing that blends into existing neighborhoods. Block Build consists of five homes planned and designed by undergraduate architecture students and built with donated materials, volunteer labor, and homebuyer sweat equity. The completed homes demonstrate how well infill development can fit into and enhance a traditional neighborhood. Built for durability, low cost, and ease of maintenance, the homes in The Block Build Project are characterized by affordable quality design for homebuyers whose incomes fall between 30 and 60 percent of the area median income. Donated labor and materials, as well as zero-interest financing, enhance the affordability of these homes.

2006 Awards Winners