SSDB Awards and Recognition
Best Custom Home Builders
We take time to learn about innovative building and preservation techniques — those that will fortify the homes we build, safeguard your budget, and respect our environment. We challenge ourselves daily to make award-winning choices that positively impact our work life, family life and the lives of our customers.
While the work itself is its own reward, sometimes recognition comes along with it.
Most Recent Awards: Best Custom Home Builders + Architects
2025— “Best Custom Home Builders in Chicago, IL” (Home Builder Digest)
2024— 2024 Winnetka Green Award – see the project
2024— “Best Kitchen Remodelers in Chicago” (Chicago Architects)
2024— “Best Custom Home Builders in Glencoe, IL” (Home Builder Digest)
2024— Best of Houzz Design and Best of Houzz Service
2023— Best of Houzz Service
2022— 25,000 image saves on Houzz
2021, 2019— Top 10 “Best Custom Home Builders in Chicago” (Home Builder Digest)
2018— Featured on the Junior League of Evanston-North Shore Designer Kitchens of the North Shore Kitchen Tour for 519 Forest Wilmette Design Build project
2017— Top 5 “Best Design Build Firms in Chicago” (BuildZoom)
2016, 2015, 2014— Make it Better “Best Green Builder” three years in a row
2015— May, Designer Kitchens of the North Shore Kitchen Tour, featured architect
2015— April, A Kitchen Tour de Force, Sheridan Road Magazine, architect feature
2015— Featured on the Junior League of Evanston-North Shore Designer Kitchens of the North Shore Kitchen Tour for new construction of 122 Melrose Kenilworth. Visit the project page.
2015— City of Evanston Preservation & Design Award for 2413 Payne Street
2012— First LEED Gold Certification in Glenview (U.S. Green Building Council) for 1100 Normandy Lane, Glenview new construction. Visit the project page.
Past Awards: Best Custom Home Builders
2011— Winner of Glencoe Preservation Award for 370 Washington Avenue, Glencoe
2011— LEED Platinum Certification – second ever in Illinois (U.S. Green Building Council) for 370 Washington Avenue, Glencoe
2010— First LEED Platinum Certification in Wilmette (U.S. Green Building Council) for 824 Oakwood, Wilmette. Visit the project page.
2009—Transforming the Traditional: The Work of Cohen & Hacker, architecture book, Architects Images Publishing
2009— September/October, Their Turn Chicago Home + Garden, architect feature
2009— Summer, Adorned in Detail Better Homes and Gardens Special Interest Publications, Beautiful Kitchens
2008— Historical Preservation Award for 1318 Forest, Evanston
2008— Historical Preservation Award for 932 Forest Avenue, Wilmette. Visit the project page.
2006— Historical Preservation Award for 570 Longwood, Glencoe
2006— Historical Preservation Award for 660 Stonegate Terrace, Glencoe
2005— Historical Preservation Award for 1040 Hohlfelder Road, Glencoe
2005 — Historical Preservation Award for 446 Washington Avenue, Glencoe
1999— Historical Preservation Award for 548 Cherry Street, Winnetka
1997— Historical Preservation Award for 2222 Lincoln Street, Evanston
1996— Ben Nicholson: Thinking the Unthinkable House, The Renaissance Society at The University of Chicago, Architecture
FAQs about the Best Custom Home Builders
Our team is recognized as some of the best custom home builders on Chicago’s North Shore. We specialize in new construction, historic home renovations, luxury remodels, and eco-conscious green building. If you’re curious about the SSDB difference, reach out! Our team would love to meet you and hear about your vision.
As the best custom home builders in the North Shore, our clients work very closely with our partners, architects, and builders throughout the process. You’re the one who will be enjoying the home when all is said and done, so we want to perfectly encapsulate your vision.
Simply contact our team to schedule a consultation! We’ll discuss your vision and timeline, and explain how our process as the best custom home builders will efficiently and beautifully bring your new home to life.
A design + build approach means one team is responsible for your entire home, creating seamless coordination between architects and builders. At SSDB – this also includes a completely open book accounting so you can examine every detail during the process. This not only saves time and reduces costs but also allows for a cohesive, high-quality result that you and your family will love for years to come.