Awards & Press

Winners of Over 30 Design Awards




2023

Tahoe Quarterly Mountain Home Awards - Market Research


2021

CATT Award - New Commercial Construction
CATT Award - Residential Remodel
Tahoe Quarterly Mountain Home Awards - A Fresh Approach to Traditional Tahoe


2020

CATT Award - New Commercial
CATT Award - New Residential
Houzz - “Best of Service” and "Best of Design" awards
Tahoe Quarterly Home Awards - Merit Award: Outdoor Space - "Soaking in Serenity"


2019

CATT Award - Residential Remodel Project of the Year
Houzz - “Best of Service” award
Tahoe Quarterly Home Awards - Craftsmanship - "Art and Architecture"


2018

“Curve Appeal” – Tahoe Quarterly - Spring 2018
CATT Award - New Commercial
CATT Award - Sustainable Building Methods
Houzz - “Best of Design” award
Tahoe Quarterly Home Awards - Merit Award: “Timeless”


2017

Houzz - “Best of Customer Service” award
Martis Camp Residence - featured in a sales video (July 15th)
Moonshine Ink
Moonshine Ink - Women in Construction
National Association of Home Builders - Best in American Living Award (BALA): One-of-a-Kind Custom or Spec Home 6,001 – 8,000 sq. ft
Tahoe Quarterly Home Awards - – Merit Award: Remodel – “Resplendent Remodel”


2016

BuildDirect - "The 15 Best Architects in Reno and Tahoe"
CATT Award - Residential Project of the Year
CATT Award - Residential Remodel Project of the Year
CATT Award - Professional of the Year
Houzz - "Best of Design" and "Best of Service" awards
Schaffer's Mill Residence - featured in an episode of TAHOMES Remodeled & Custom Homes (March 30th)
Tahoe Quarterly Home Awards - Lakefront Award - "Off the Hizzle"
Truckee Residence - featured in an episode of TAHOMES Remodeled & Custom Homes (March 7th)


2015

CATT Award - Sustainable Building Methods Project of the Year
Certificate of Special Congressional - Recognition of 2015 Sustainable Building Methods Project of the Year
Tahoe Quarterly Home Awards - Eco-Friendly Award - "Eco Estate"


2013

CATT Award - Sustainable Building Methods Project of the Year
Tahoe Quarterly Home Awards - Legacy Award - "All In The Family"


2012

"Freedom of Expression" - Western Art & Architecture
"Freedom of Expression" - Western Art & Architecture - Dec 2012/Jan 2013
Tahoe Quarterly Home Awards - Historic Remodel - "Riverfront Red"


2011

"Design is in the Details," - Mountain Living - Nov/Dec 2011
"Mountain Surf and Valley" - Marin Magazine - OCT 2011 - Featuring the residence at Martis Camp lot 176
"Valhalla Masterpiece," - Reno Magazine - Aug. 2011 - Martis Camp Lot 29
Lahontan - Lot 110
Tahoe Quarterly Home Awards - Runner Up - Martis Camp Lot 77/78
Tahoe Quarterly Home Awards - Merit Award-Unique Vision - "Bringing the Alps Home" - Martis Camp Lot 29


2010

Tahoe Quarterly Home Awards - Commercial Project-The Rock
Tahoe Quarterly Home Awards - Merit Award - 968 Park Hotel
Tahoe Quarterly Home Awards Grand Design - Martis Camp 113


2009

Professional of the Year by Contractors Association of Truckee Tahoe (CATT) - read bio
TRPA "Best in the Basin" Commercial Re-Build - Ski Run Center


2008

"Best Large Home Theater Overall" CEDIA Electronic Lifestyle Awards
CATT Award - Commercial Project of the Year: "The Rock"
Tahoe Quarterly Magazine readership: People's Choice - Architectural Firm


2007

"Outstanding"
"Outstanding" - article
Public Works Project of the Year "Round-a-Bout" at Brockway Road and Martis Drive by CATT
Tahoe Quarterly Mountain Home Awards
Tahoe Quarterly Mountain Home Awards - "Perfect Process"
Tahoe Quarterly Mountain Home Awards - "Best Commercial"


2006

"Gold Award" in "Best Homes of the Year" - Electronic House magazine
"Ski's Mountain Home Trophy" - Ski Magazine
Tahoe Quarterly Mountain Home Awards - "Mountain Modern" award


2005

"The Rock in Truckee A SD Case Study" is profiled in Building Vibrant Communities: - A Commercial and Mixed Use Handbook by Sierra Business Council
Tahoe Quarterly Mountain Home Awards - "Outstanding"
Tahoe Quarterly Mountain Home Awards - "Outdoor Spaces"


2004-1995

1995 People's Favorite - Town of Truckee Visual Preference Survey Porter Simon Building in historic downtown.
2000 "Best Custom Home" - The Builders Association of Northern Nevada
2001 “House of Wine” - Ski Magazine Oct. 2001
2002 Peoples Choice Truckee Tahoe Airport Terminal Building Competition
2004 Tahoe Quarterly Mountain Home Awards - "Best Great Room" Merit Award

In 2003, we decided to fulfill a shared life’s dream and build a house together. As a couple, we, like many, are similar and different. My husband is practical, traditional and focused. I am creative, more risk oriented and flexible. We sought architectural partners who could relate to and manage our differences, as well as guide us, since we were new to building.

We found our architects in Kurt Reinkens, Managing Partner and Kristi Thompson, Architect at MBA. They listened carefully to our ideas, our architectural style preferences and to our lifestyle needs. They guided us regarding realistic expectations for our project. Then, they jointly conceived of and designed the prototype of our dream home.

At that juncture, project leadership, plans, and working drawings fell to Kristi.
For the 18 months it took to build our home, she ably interfaced with our builder, countless subcontractors and other interior, and landscape designers. She was aware of her role, patient, responsive and strong. She listened when appropriate, kept us informed and guided, when appropriate. She impressed us with her quiet interpersonal strength and was kind and sensitive when the job (as building a house always does) took its toll on our nerves.

I particularly appreciated her kindness in helping me with the project during a year when we both lost our fathers find our teenage son posed some challenges. She also encouraged his involvement in the design of “his” spaces.

Kristi combines rare creativity and practical management skills. She knows when to lead and when to step back and listen. She is also a fine person.

She is very talented. We recommend her highly.


-- Tom and Cathy Van Berkem
Copyright © 2025 - All Rights Reserved