Forbes Continues To Love Wittehaus
Yay!! We are over the moon! Forbes has us back on their 2026 List of “America’s Best-In-State Residential Architects”.
“Wittehaus’ houses are reimagined for the 21st century, with ample light, sculptural interiors, and a materials palette that feels anything but suburban.”
Some Excerpts
>>
“The firm works with clients willing to move beyond the familiar formulas of conventional residential construction—people who want their home to express something about who they are, how they live, and what they value. Rather than beginning with a predetermined style or a catalog of solutions, Wittehaus guides clients through an intensely personal process of discovery and creation. “
“The resulting homes are as varied as the people who inhabit them.”
“Sustainability is an integral part of the work rather than an afterthought. Wittehaus approaches high-performance homes as places that should be comfortable, durable, healthy, and economical to operate as well as beautiful. Site-specific solar strategies, highly insulated building envelopes, continuous air barriers, high-performance windows, thoughtful mechanical systems, and renewable energy can all become part of the architectural solution. The goal is not simply to make a house consume less energy, but to create a home that performs intelligently over the course of its life.”
“And for those willing to dream beyond the ordinary, the journey itself may be one of the most rewarding parts".”
“Witte is also the author of the award-winning book Supersizing Bliss: How We Have Betrayed Our Homes and the Happiness We Seek. The book grew from his experience designing, building, and thinking deeply about the American home, and has expanded his role beyond practitioner to author, speaker, educator, and advocate for better residential architecture. He has spoken at professional conferences, appeared on numerous podcasts, and has returned to academia as a guest lecturer and adjunct professor. “
<<
What got them all giddy
Forbes considered “more than 18,000 candidates, and inviting more than 750 of those to submit projects for further evaluation”.
They “scrutinized and scored each firm’s submitted project and overall body of work, as well as its success adhering to the principles and practices outlined in the Forbes Architecture System Of Evaluation”.
Cohen Davis Residence, Photography: Jordan Powers
Gerendák, Photography: Amanda Anderson
1. GENERAL PROFESSIONAL EVALUATION
a. Firm’s body of work
b. Integrity of online presence (quality of photography, professionalism of display, informational value, awards, publication history, etc.)
2. EVALUATION OF ONE “EXEMPLARY HOUSE”
a. Stability
b. Utility
c. Beauty
3. RESIDENTIAL GUIDING PRINCIPLES & BEST PRACTICES
1. Siting and Local Context
a. Respects natural landscape, incorporates existing landforms ✔
b. Considers solar orientation ✔
c. Adapted to sea level rise and flood risk
2. Architectural Form and Detailing
a. Honors cultural and environmental context ✔
b. Structural principles elegantly and honestly expressed ✔
3. Building Materials and Craft
a. Material selection and application guided by climate ✔
b. Expression of architectural detailing with thematic consistency ✔
c. Use of locally sourced or repurposed materials ✔
d. Employment of local artisans ✔
4. Spatial Configuration
a. Entry is prioritized, experiential ✔
b. Good circulation, ideally incorporating moments of compression and expansion ✔
c. Enhanced indoor/outdoor relationship ✔
d. Flexible to accommodate changing needs ✔
5. HVAC and Tech
a. Integrates passive solar and natural ventilation ✔
b. Electric-dominant ✔
c. Use of architectural shading devices ✔
d. Inclusion of smart home systems ✔
6. Physical and Psychological Effects
a. Incorporates sound reduction strategies ✔
b. Immersive, transformative, soothing environments ✔
c. Harnesses natural light ✔
7. Environmental Considerations
a. Green infrastructure ✔
b. Raises bar of environmental responsibility within its community ✔
c. Designed to withstand extreme climate conditions ✔
“This recognition highlights your unwavering commitment to architectural excellence, innovative design, and exceptional craftsmanship.”
Our Forbes Legacy
We enjoyed their previous recognition on the 2025 Forbes List of “America’s Top 200 Residential Architects”.