ADU Housing Design Challenge

I’m thrilled to announce that Rich Hostelley Architecture, LLC has been honored with Best Adaptive Reuse and the coveted Overall People’s Choice Award in the Shenandoah County ADU Housing Design Challenge, hosted by the Shenandoah County Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by AARP!

Our competition entry focused on a homeowner seeking to replace an aging garage with a thoughtful, context-sensitive new structure — a two-story building featuring a two-car garage below and an upper-level ADU above.

We approached the project with careful attention to:

• the scale and character of the early-1900s home,

• today’s construction cost realities, and

• the importance of designing new architecture that enhances rather than dominates its surroundings.

The final concept is a studio loft–style ADU that reads as a modest single-story garage from the street, with the living space positioned discreetly at the rear — a design that balances historic character with modern livability.

Winning Best Adaptive Reuse celebrates our commitment to honoring what’s already there.

Winning People’s Choice shows that the community felt that same connection.

We’re deeply grateful for both.

A huge thank-you to everyone who supported our entry — clients, friends, family, and all who voted. Your encouragement means everything. Onward and upward!