Annual LightHouse Awards Recognizes Lowcountry’s Finest Builders and Designers

Elite building industry professionals attended the 22nd Annual LightHouse Awards gala to learn who judges selected as the Lowcountry’s most talented builders and designers. The awards gala, which is presented by the Hilton Head Area Home builders Association with the support of Title Sponsor Truist Financial, took place Friday evening at the Sonesta Resort on Hilton Head Island.

“The LightHouse Awards is truly like the Academy Awards for our local building industry. It gives builders and designers the opportunity to be recognized for the hard work, talent and vision they put forward in building some of the most remarkable homes found in this area and beyond,” stated Dan Monroe, chairman of the LightHouse Awards program since its inception. Monroe added, “We are so blessed as a community to have such imaginative architects, talented interior designers, quality builders and exceptional trades craftsman whose hands touch each project in the Lowcountry.”

First held twenty-two years ago in 1999, the LightHouse Awards are presented annually to qualified members of the Hilton Head Area Home builders Association for the demonstration of quality craftsmanship and design excellence in the construction of homes throughout the Lowcountry.

23 builders, including remodelers, custom, semi-custom, and light commercial building companies, submitted 55 entries. In addition, 6 firms submitted 31 interior and architectural design projects for a total of 86 qualifying projects on our physical judging event for 2021; making this year’s LightHouse Awards one of the largest programs, mirroring the decidedly positive economic turn for the housing industry amidst a pandemic.

We honor each participant for being part of this distinguished group of area building professionals. The construction cost of this year’s remodeled or newly built home entries ranged from $150,000 to over $3 million. Each award was subdivided into categories based on project cost of construction and similar square footage.

Eleven judges were welcomed to Hilton Head Island in mid-September to physically judge the construction quality of each home entered; a practice rarely seen in this digital age. The 2021 LightHouse Awards judging panel included builders, remodelers, architects and other industry professionals from all over North Carolina and South Carolina. Split into four teams, the judges spent two full days visiting entries from Hilton Head Island to Fripp Island to Ridgeland. Additional judges, all construction and real estate sales and marketing professionals, were later enlisted to judge the LightHouse Awards program’s Sales & Marketing awards categories. In many instances, the separation between runner-up and winner was a fraction of a point and in some instances the judges felt a tie was in order.

Master of Ceremony, Monty Jett announced award winners as attendees followed along to a visual presentation of entry homes and features. Associate members of the Home builders Association, including building industry professionals, subcontractors and suppliers, who participated in the design and construction of each of the competing new and remodeled homes, were also recognized at the gala. Winners received marble obelisk awards representing lighthouses.

“For many of these builders, after spending 12 to 15 months or longer working on a project, where even the smallest detail could impact the overall outcome, the LightHouse Awards symbolize one of the highest career honors, and is a true testament to their vision and talent,” stated Dan Monroe.

Led by Monroe, the 2021 LightHouse Awards Committee included Deb Monroe, Lowcountry Home Magazine; Chris Cleland, Cleland Site Prep; Courtney Jansen, Distinctive Granite and Marble; Deborah Karambelas, Karambelas Enterprises; Bryan Mudrak, More Space Place; Brittani Anderson, J Banks Design; Lisa Henry, Truist; Michal Anderson, Cambria; Jay Fraser, Fraser Construction; Madison Wall, Court Atkins Group; Rob Kaufman, Kaufman Photography; Will McKown, AGM Imports; and Majka Yarborough, Hilton Head Monthly.

In addition to Title Sponsor Truist Financial, other sponsors included Cregger Co., Distinctive Granite and Marble, More Space Place, Hilton Head Monthly, LowCountry Home Magazine, Kaufman Photography, Palmetto Electric Cooperative, Inc., and The Island Packet. Special thanks also went to Kaufman Photography, Custom Audio Video, Karambelas Enterprises, Show Services, Hilton Head Automotive, Monty Jett, Red Door Design & Publishing, and Sonesta Resort & Spa Hilton Head.

2021 LightHouse Awards

Honoring Building and Design Excellence

by the Hilton Head Area Home builders Association

Best Overall Winners