Southland Homes Dominate Judging for 'Best in West'

"With 886 entries, the Gold Nugget is the biggest regional competition in the nation, said Pete Mayer, judging chairman and producer of the show. But it was design--not price--that guided the panel of 14 home building and design experts who were judges in the 'Gold Nugget' competition at the annual Pacific Coast Builders Conference."

"Designed by Bassenian/Lagoni Architects of Santa Ana, the home has four bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths, three fireplaces, a bonus room, about 3,200 square feet of interior space and a three-car garage. Judges, who chose the plan over 137 competitors, applauded the home's 'raised, angled entry' and 'sense of interior spaciousness,' particularly for a small site."

"Carol Dann, the marketing director for the builder, A-M Homes of Newport Beach, said, 'We're reusing that plan a lot, because it has been so successful. It sold out in a matter of months.' The whole project sold out within six months of opening, at $50,000 more per house than when it opened in April, 1988."

The Gold Nugget competition, the nation's largest regional home building competition with 886 entries, judged homes across 14 Western states based on design merit rather than price. Two of three 'Best in the West' winners and the 'Best Affordable Housing' winner are located in Southern California. The detached 'Home of the Year' at Seadrift in Laguna Niguel, designed by Bassenian/Lagoni Architects, features four bedrooms, 3.5 baths, and approximately 3,200 square feet. Judges praised its raised entry and interior spaciousness despite the small lot size. The winning plan sold out within months at A-M Homes' original project and continues selling at other developments in Orange County and Calabasas Park at varying prices reflecting land costs.

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