A Residential Design Award of Excellence is presented to the Pickers’ Quarters in Northport, Michigan. Built in the early 1950s as a seasonal laborers’ residence, the structure was designed solely for economy and utility. Composed of simple concrete masonry block construction and wood trusses, its conversion into a three-bedroom home did not deny or erase the building’s origins, nor did it look away from the complex lived history and culture that the building stands for. The existing block was preserved on the exterior facade, while interior insulation was added to make it a year-round home. The renovation preserves the original roof structure and windows while adding modern insulation, radiant heating, and all-electric, solar-powered systems. In keeping with the ethos of the project, the interior was kept open and utilitarian, with salvaged materials used throughout. On the surrounding land, the owners are working to restore butterfly habitat and reintroduce native plants and fruit trees. The Adaptive reuse of the Pickers’ Quarters demonstrates that modernism is broad enough to encompass the vernacular, the humble, and the complex.

Designsmiths: Peter Smith, AIA (Lead Architect), Emily Grof (Architect), Brittany Luea, AIA (Architect), Ruth Pruesser (Architect), Charlotte Smith (Designer); Joe Holm, Holm Design (Interiors); Alexander Adduci, 210 Design House (Kitchen Designer); Katherine Novick, Native Valley Design (Landscape Design); Charles Adylett (Photographer)

Mark Kellogg Carpentry (General Contractor): Mark Kellogg, Scott Cain, Robert Ruiz, David Wagner, Luke Lambdin, Matt Wilke, David Moehle, Bob Mork