SEA Studio Architects was honored with two merit awards for design excellence by the Delaware American Institute of Architects at its biannual awards program Jan. 24.

SEA Studio’s 161 Layton and Cardinal residences, both designed by Scott Edmonston, AIA, were presented with merit awards to acknowledge superior design achievements.

This celebration of architecture recognizes commercial and residential work completed by architects of the Delaware chapter of the AIA. Submitted projects were judged by a panel of architects, and winners were announced during a ceremony held at the Delaware Contemporary in Wilmington. Scott and Jenifer Edmonston of SEA Studio attended the ceremony and accepted the awards alongside the builders and homeowners of the projects.

The 161 Layton project was designed as a vacation home on the banks of the canal system in South Bethany Beach. The owners wanted a modern, sustainable and fun beach retreat where they could spend summers with their kids and frequent guests. Rachel Kapner of CWI was the interior designer, and the home was built by Shay Gallo Construction.

The owners of the Cardinal residence wanted a modern, efficient, sustainable and resilient home to replace their aging, inefficient cottage in Rehoboth Beach. The design of the home was greatly influenced by its wooded site and the local flood plain. The house was designed with a strong connection between the interior and exterior living spaces to help re-create the feel of their old cottage. Jodi Macklin of Jodi Macklin Interior Design was the designer, and the home was built by Dewson Construction.

SEA Studio Architects is based in Bethany Beach and is committed to designing beautiful, comfortable and energy-efficient places to live and work.