BENTON HARBOR, Mich. (August 13, 2008) Inaugural sponsor, Whirlpool Corporation and the American Institute of Building Design (AIBD) are pleased to announce that Allen Beaumont, president of B&D Design Studio, Inc., and David Pillsbury, of Morales-Keesee Design Associates are the winners of the 2008 Concept Awards Design Competition. AIBD and Whirlpool Corporation, along with first-year co-sponsors Marvin Windows and Doors and Architectural Electronics, presented the design challenge live during the Southeast Builder Conference (SEBC) in Orlando. This years competition raised the bar by incorporating technology and sustainable design requirements. The Concept Awards Design Competition required contestants to develop a home design drawn either by hand or using Google(R)SketchUp(TM)3-D software. Competitors were required to create their designs during SEBC tradeshow hours. Each designer created a preliminary design of a contemporary home for a dual income couple with two adolescent children and aging in-laws, expected to move in within a couple of years. In addition to meeting the spatial requirements of the program, each design needed to reflect environmental priorities by including sustainable building practices and products. Passive solar design was incorporated in several entries by using deep overhangs over windows and walls to assist in sunlight management and heat gain. Marvin Low E glazing was specified for windows and doors to increase thermal performance and reduce the energy required to operate a home. In the kitchen, ENERGY STAR(R)qualified and other energy- and water-efficient appliances from KitchenAid(R)Architect(R)Series II were incorporated. Outdoor kitchens, a design idea for minimizing the carbon footprint of homes by reducing the interior kitchen space, were incorporated into the designs, featuring KitchenAid brand outdoor appliances. Laundry rooms featured Whirlpool brand energy- and water-efficient washers and dryers, as well as Whirlpool brand Laundry 1-2-3(TM)Solutions accessory products that incorporate universal design features. Whirlpool Corporation works to exceed homeowner expectations with appliances that help architects and designers create homes of distinction. For this purpose, the company developed The Inside Advantage(TM). This targeted program offers Powerful Brands, Innovative Products, Targeted Services and Consumer Insight to support building and design professionals. For more information on Whirlpool Corporation and its offerings for the home building industry, please visit insideadvantage.com or call 1-800-253-3977. To go directly to information on Whirlpool Corporations technology and sustainable design initiatives for the design community, visit insideadvantage.com/digitalgreen. About Whirlpool Corporation Whirlpool Corporation is the world's leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, with annual sales of approximately $19 billion, more than 73,000 employees, and 72 manufacturing and technology research centers around the world. The company markets Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Jenn-Air, Amana, Gladiator, Brastemp, Bauknecht and other major brand names to consumers in nearly every country around the world.
