The 36th annual Aurora Awards were held on July 28 at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Kissimmee, Fla., where the best and the brightest in design gathered for to celebrate the Grand Aurora winners.

This year’s competition drew 400 entries in 55 categories, including single-family homes, custom homes, multifamily projects, kitchen and bath design, interior detailing, and interior merchandising.

“The Aurora Gala was a sold out event, and showcased all Aurora winners,” said Aurora Awards Chairman Patti Guthrie. “The event was definitely the place to see a spectacular overview of emerging design and planning trends in residential and commercial development.”

Entries were reviewed by a panel of four building industry leaders. Judges are selected from among the most creative and successful individuals within the homebuilding industry, and represent the many disciplines contributing to building and design, as well as geographic diversity.

Judge Sarah Breen of CDC Designs said this year’s competition was exceptionally diverse coming from across the Southeast. “Creative ideas in design do not know boundaries,” she said. “We found the variety and level of excellence to be particularly heartening this year.”