HK Associates Honored with Two Residential Architect Design Awards

HK Associates, the architecture firm co-led by Michael Kothke, professor of practice in the School of Architecture, and Kathy Hancox, was recognized in Architect magazine’s 2024 Residential Architect Design Awards, an international program celebrating excellence in residential design.

Their project Casa Luce received an Honor Award, while casita OBSCURA was recognized with a Citation Award.

Casa Luce

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“I remember appreciating that this one told the story pretty clearly, including what kinds of insertions they made with the light.” —Juror Ashley Heeren

Although this midcentury modern home designed by Tucson icon Tom Gist had floor-to-ceiling picture windows framing views of the Santa Rita Mountains in the distance, the interior still felt inhospitable and dark due to oppressive elements such as a low mechanical bulkhead just above head height, a beamed ceiling infilled with white plaster, and four large masonry piers. By doing away with those features, as well as updating many of the interior finishes, this renovation brought the house into the 21st century while preserving the essence of the original design. Continue reading >>>

casita OBSCURA

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“I find myself thinking like this is beautiful sort of compelling small piece of architecture. It’s cleanly detailed and beautifully integrated with the landscape.” —Juror Ashley Heeren

A 750-square-foot detached outbuilding of a midcentury home in Tucson, Arizona, was born out of the clients’ desire to create a standalone retreat that could double as a private guesthouse for visiting friends and extended family. At the same time, they desired the project to have an intimate connection with the surrounding Sonoran Desert while presenting an aesthetic distinct from the main house, which was also recently renovated and expanded by HK Associates. Continue reading >>>

The jury for this year’s awards included notable architects Rene Gonzalez (Rene Gonzalez Architects, Miami), Ashley Heeren (Low Design Office, Austin), and Rosalie Enriquez Ledda (Paula Taggart Architects, San Francisco).