This resort-style cocktail pool by Dickinson Design Build won a silver award for Outdoor Living Entertainment. Photo: Ashley Weeks New Construction Gold: Knop Killeen Architects Set on a heavily wooded, 6.5-acre lot south of Des Moines, this custom home is designed to sit quietly within its natur al surroundings while capturing sweeping views of the serene, private landscape. The construction references traditional Iowa agricultural structures aligned along primary and secondary axes. The main entry and living spaces lead to a framed view of a distant pond, while the perpendicular wing houses the bedrooms, nestled among trees for a calming, secluded backdrop. Durable wood cladding and thoughtfully placed windows strengthen the indoor-outdoor connections. “Ultimately, achieving a highly refined design with simple, off-the-shelf materials required the skill and precision of talented craftsmen like Husk Homes,” said Cody Knop, the project architect with Knop Killeen Architects. The result is a refined, modern home enhanced by its seamless relationship to the surrounding woods. With collaboration from Husk Homes. Photo: Brandon Huttenlocher Silver: Studio MELEE/Hal Davis Interior Designer Bronze: Trieste/Kate Arnest Architecture/Ironwood Homes Outdoor Living Entertainment Gold: Stone Cross Lawn and Landscape and Concrete Collaborative Newly built from the ground up, this backyard project turned a steep, sloping lot into a multi-level outdoor retreat. A massive 10-foot retaining wall established the flat foundation needed for the pool, patio and custom-built pool house — designed in collaboration with the homeowner, a retired contractor. The result is a dynamic series of entertainment spaces connected by decorative concrete walkways. “I always prioritize creating different spaces throughout as well as focusing on how everything flows. I feel it’s really important to have different areas for congregation and that each space serves its own purpose, similar to rooms in a house,” Stone Cross owner and landscape designer Brad Puckett said. At the center, a 20-by-40-foot vinyl pool features a sun shelf, diving board and basketball hoop for endless fun in the sun. Additional spaces to gather and play include a putting green, activity lawn, gas fire pit and wood-burning fireplace. With collaboration from Heartland Pool and Spa. Photo: Stone Cross Lawn and Landscape and Concrete Collaborative Silver: Dickinson Design Build Bronze: Destination Homes Landscaping Gold: Stone Cross Lawn and Landscape and Concrete Collaborative This home’s existing courtyard was completely renovated to create a beautiful low-maintenance outdoor space that also provided a long-term drainage solution. A deep, stone-lined swale channels runoff away from the driveway and creates a natural creek that anchors the space. New landscape beds were built throughout, featuring a mix of trees and flowers sprouting seasonal colors, along with contrasting rock and stone materials. Artificial turf replaces conventional grass to provide vibrant, year-round greenery with no mowing required. “The kidney-shaped landscape bed also houses the homeowner’s septic pump stations, so we added fake rock covers and designed the landscape around it so you don’t know it’s even there,” Stone Cross owner and landscape designer Brad Puckett said. Photo: Stone Cross Lawn and Landscape and Concrete Collaborative Silver (pictured above): Jenny Gardens LLC Photo: Jenny Gardens LLC Exterior Transformation Before Gold: Johnson Construction This full-scale remodel and addition transformed a dated West Des Moines home into a modern, resort-inspired retreat. “This was more than a facelift; it was a complete reimagining of the home’s exterior footprint and function,” said Anna Johnson, the project coordinator and designer with Johnson Construction. The exterior received new siding, roofing, windows, trim, garage doors and lighting, elevating curb appeal while establishing a contemporary character. In the backyard, the redesign unfolds into an entertainer’s paradise featuring a covered patio with heaters and a built-in TV wall, a grilling station, custom hardscaping and a resort-style pool with a slide, water features and space for basketball and volleyball. Thoughtful landscaping and a synthetic turf putting green make the space enjoyable year-round. With collaboration from Heartland Pool and Spa, and Outdoor Design Solutions LLC. Photo: Justin Salem Meyer and Kyle Biggs Silver: Alair Des Moines Bronze: ALT Design Studio View all Exteriors finalist photos here. ...read more read less