Marley Residence
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Rob Busch
Drawing Dept
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Tess Hilgefort
Drawing Dept
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Regional Award Winner KDC 2013-14


If you’re scanning the want ads, looking for a home in Ohio, the words “Carl Strauss design” are an immediate attraction. The noted modernist architect has designed over 100 homes in the state, many of them characterized by artful built-in furnishings and large windows with scenic views.
But as is often the case, some Carl Strauss homes have not been updated over the years. Designers Rob Busch and Tess Hilgefort took on the challenge of restoring one such Strauss home to its original glory. The homeowner asked Rob and Tess to completely modernize all aspects of the house while retaining the spirit of Strauss’ original design. Tantamount to this goal was redesigning the kitchen into an open, social space for entertaining.
The kitchen was tucked into the darkest part of the house, completely hidden from the home’s greatest asset: panoramic views of the city and river valley. The designers undertook a number of structural interventions that allowed the kitchen to engage the rest of the house. Then they set out to create the open kitchen that the homeowner needed.
Fully-integrated Sub-Zero and Wolf products allowed for obsessively tight tolerances that wouldn’t be possible with other appliance groupings, and contributed to the kitchen’s open feel. It also allowed for the types of finishes and detailing found elsewhere in this Strauss home.
It took a team of highly skilled craftsmen from around the country to execute the highly developed and handcrafted finished kitchen. The KDC judges cited one idiosynchratic component in particular: “The work table is an exceptional idea.”
Now this Strauss home is once again a treasure, all the more so because it is meeting the needs and contributing to the life of a modern family.
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Kitchen Design Contest 2010-2012
We congratulate all entrants for their excellent work. Winners shared their insights and challenges as they designed kitchens using Sub-Zero built-in or integrated refrigeration and Wolf equipment as the primary design instructions.

- Global Award Winners
- U.S. & Canada Regional Winners
- International Regional Winners
1st Place Traditional
$40,000 prize
1st Place Contemporary
$40,000 prize
2nd Place Any Style
$20,000 prize
3rd Place Any Style
$10,000 prize
Designer's Choice Award
$15,000 prize
People's Choice Award
$15,000 prize
U.S. & Canada Regional Winners are recognized for the best use of Sub-Zero and Wolf in the kitchen.
Prizes include:
- A trip for two, for each regional winner, to the KDC conference and awards gala in Madison, WI.
- National PR and online program for regional winners.
- Customized publicity and marketing kit for each regional winner.
View U.S. & Canada Regional Winners
International Regional Winners are recognized for the best use of Sub-Zero and Wolf in the kitchen.
Prizes include:
- A trip for two, for each regional winner, to the KDC conference and awards gala in Madison, WI.
- National PR and online program for regional winners.
- Customized publicity and marketing kit for each regional winner.
View International Regional Winners