What It Means and Why It Matters With the NAHB Best Overall Design Award
We believe that every home we design begins with the same intent: to create something timeless, personal, and grounded in place. Over the years, our team has been honored to receive dozens of design awards—but among the most meaningful are the ones that recognize the full picture.
The Best Overall Award from the Home Builders Association (presented through the NAHB Lighthouse Awards) acknowledges more than a great porch or an exceptional bathroom. It celebrates how every piece of a project comes together—site, form, flow, function, and finish. It’s about the home as a whole. And we’re proud to say we’ve received this top honor twice.
This award reflects our commitment to excellence and innovation, showcasing the essence of the NAHB Best Overall Design philosophy.
2022 Best Overall New Home
Plan: Overlook I (20313)
Built in Palmetto Bluff
Construction by Frontlight Building Company
Designed for a site in the prestigious Palmetto Bluff community, the Overlook I is a 3,121 sq. ft. Lowcountry home that feels both rooted and refined. With wide porches, airy interiors, and classic proportions, this home brings together the best of traditional Southern architecture with thoughtful modern touches.
Built by Frontlight Building Company, this project was awarded Best Overall New Home by the Home Builders Association in 2022. The judges praised its timeless curb appeal, cohesive floor plan, and the way it lives beautifully in the landscape.
2020 Best Overall – NAHB Lighthouse Awards
Plan: Oak Spring (183166)
Construction by Southern Coastal Homes
In 2020, our Oak Spring plan swept the Lighthouse Awards, taking home Best Bath, Best Exterior, and Best Overall. Built by Southern Coastal Homes, the Oak Spring is an elegant, well-balanced home with strong Lowcountry character. With porches designed for catching breezes, a primary suite built for retreat, and a layout that flows effortlessly, this home exemplifies the best of our approach.
Best Overall doesn’t happen by accident—it’s the result of thoughtful planning, careful listening, and collaboration with talented builders and engaged clients. And in Oak Spring’s case, every piece came together just right.
What Makes a Home “Best Overall”?
While award panels consider details like materials and craftsmanship, what truly stands out is cohesion—the way a home feels intentional from every angle. At Allison Ramsey Architects, we aim to create homes that live beautifully, age gracefully, and feel like they’ve always belonged.
Receiving the Best Overall designation is a reminder that when everything works together, the result is more than a well-designed house—it’s a home that just feels right.
