Northwest Illinois Housing Design Competition Names Winners

ROCK FALLS – The Blackhawk Hills Regional Council has announced the winners of its 2025 Northwest Illinois Housing Design Competition, which challenged participants to focus on multigenerational living, accessibility, and affordability in residential development. Eleven designs were submitted and evaluated by a nine-member panel with experience in community development, accessibility, and design, alongside a public vote. Judging panel awards went to Access Green Design Group, Fifth Start Architecture and Design, Mackenzie Knautz, Quinn Follett, and Studio GWA, while the public chose Gertrude Heimerdinger as the winner. Additional participants included Anthony Adelmann, Converge Architecture, Jia Ba Bue, studio K Architecture, and Theo Woessner. All entrants will receive at least $500, and BHRC plans to exhibit the designs in 2026 at local civic and cultural institutions and potentially work with local governments to bring at least one design to life in the region.