05/28/2025
The Cape Cod Craftsman is proud to announce that Carl Wheeler, and Heidi Schlegel, have won the 2025 IIDA Buffalo City Center Gala Award for Single Family Residential Design, recognizing outstanding projects in Western and Central NY.
Together, Carl and Heidi designed and built their own home—transforming a former seasonal retreat into a deeply personal, year-round residence that redefines aging in place through a focus on cognitive and emotional wellness.
This project reflects their commitment to thoughtful design and skilled craftsmanship:
🧠Applying principles of environmental psychology and Attention Restoration Theory to create spaces that promote memory, clarity, and emotional connection
🌊 Orienting every room toward water views to reduce mental fatigue, encourage calm and increased fascination
🪵 Custom crafting cabinetry, stairs, and counters from reclaimed wood sourced from the owners’ family properties, embedding personal histories and storytelling into the home
✨ Incorporating fine details including: custom copper resin inlays integrated into walnut counters and continuous grain cabinetry
🗝️Hidden doors and shiplap detailing introduce subtle layers of texture, novelty, and surprise throughout the home.
♿ Including a universally designed optional first-floor suite for accessible living
🌱 Prioritizing sustainability, with over 60% of demolition materials repurposed or recycled and a geothermal HVAC system for energy efficiency
This award-winning home exemplifies how design and build—when guided by empathy, personalization, and purpose—can create a space that supports living, aging, and thriving.
