Wide-open floor plans, green and energy-efficient building systems and innovative ways to connect with the outdoors are the hallmarks of this year's finalists for the 2012 Multifamily Pillars of the Industry Awards, which honor superior achievement in apartment and condominium development, design, marketing and management and are sponsored by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).
"This year's finalists reflect creativity and forward-thinking approaches to planning, design, execution and marketing," said W. Dean Henry, president of Legacy Partners Residential in Foster City, Calif., and chairman of NAHB's Multifamily Leadership Board. "Green and energy-efficient features in today's market are a must, but our finalists incorporated them in unique ways that benefit their residents. Features like electric car plug-in stations, living green walls in the common areas, recycled materials used inside and outside of the buildings and drought-tolerant plants incorporated into the communities' landscapes make the developments more attractive to prospective renters and buyers."