ARKANSAS HOME FEATURED AS ONE OF THE COUNTRY'S MOST INNOVATIVE RESIDENTIAL DESIGNS

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - A northwest Arkansas residence, designed by University of Arkansas School of Architecture professor Marlon Blackwell, has been cited as one of the 30 most innovative residential designs in the country.

It is the only Arkansas residence to receive the distinction.

Blackwell's design, named 2Square House, is featured in "The New American House 3", a collection of the most unique residential design and construction from some of the most prominent and creative architects in the United States.

The home is more than 3,100 square feet and sits on a hillside site with wooded views of Fayetteville to the west and northwest. The owners wanted the home to be spatially efficient and to maximize the views of the surrounding landscape. To do so, Blackwell designed the home as a 3-story "box". He enhanced the classic contemporary feel with a series of 7-foot high windows and doors that extend the length of the 44-foot redwood balcony to offer a panoramic view of the native oaks and rolling hills surrounding the property.

The home was designed for Montez and Mounir Farah. Doctor Mounir Farah is associate director of the UA Middle East Studies Program.

The book, the third volume in the "New American House" series, was published by Watson-Guptill Publications, Incorporated. It includes more than 500 color photographs, site plans and drawings. The book was edited by James Trulove and Il Kim.

Blackwell was previously awarded a Design Merit Award from the Arkansas American Institute of Architects (AIA) for his work on the Farah house. He has also been named as one of architecture's Emerging Voices and to the 40 UNDER 40 list, which recognizes the next generation of leading American architects and designers.

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 Niki Himmer, Communications Coordinator, School of Architecture, 479-575-4704, hhimmer@uark.edu