NBA Wins at the NAHB Best in American Living Awards
NBA had two projects honored at the NAHB Best in American Living Awards during the 2026 International Builders’ Show (IBS) in Orlando! This esteemed awards program showcases home and community design excellence across the country. Rambler Atlanta, an off-campus student housing property in Atlanta, Georgia, won a Gold Award in the Best Multifamily Student Housing category. The Core at Station Yards in Ronkonkoma, New York, won a Silver Award in the Best Mixed-Use Community, Multifamily category. Congratulations to both teams and our design partners for this recognition! Read below to learn more about the projects:
Category: Best Multifamily Student Housing, Gold Award
Project: Rambler Atlanta
Developer: LV Collective
At the corner of Peachtree and Fourth Street, just a short walk from Georgia Tech, Rambler Atlanta introduces a new approach to student living that blends academic purpose with urban sophistication.
From the outside, the 19-story tower is defined by a façade of interlocking light and dark volumes that add depth and rhythm to Midtown’s skyline. Behind this carefully crafted rhythm is an efficient construction process that used prefabricated acrylic panels to achieve variation and quality while allowing the building to be completed ahead of schedule
Inside, Rambler Atlanta reimagines what student housing can be. The second-level study floor serves as the academic heart of the building, offering nine private study rooms, six conference rooms, a kitchenette, and an outdoor terrace that extends learning and collaboration into the open air. The variety of spaces supports different study habits, from group discussions to quiet individual work, fostering productivity in an atmosphere of calm focus.
Higher in the tower, the rooftop amenities celebrate balance and wellbeing. A zero-edge pool, hot tub, and ample lounge seating overlook the skyline, while the adjoining fitness center includes a yoga studio, fitness-on-demand rooms, and a sauna with expansive views of Midtown. Together, these spaces create an atmosphere that encourages both activity and restoration.
At street level, the Daydreamer Café connects Rambler Atlanta to the broader community. Open to the public, it has quickly become a favorite among students and locals alike, offering handcrafted coffee, pastries, and comfortable seating for casual study or conversation. The café’s outdoor patio and transparent frontage activate the pedestrian experience along Peachtree Street, transforming a former parking lot into a welcoming public space.
Throughout the building, the interior design reinforces a sense of tranquility through soft tones, layered textures, and warm lighting. The overall aesthetic bridges the transition between campus living and multifamily housing, creating a space that feels mature yet approachable. Certified Fitwel, Rambler Atlanta integrates healthy design principles with urban efficiency through features such as daylight-filled corridors, a green roof that manages stormwater, and enhanced acoustic comfort in units and common areas.
Rambler Atlanta represents a thoughtful step forward in student living, offering places to study, connect, and recharge within an active Midtown setting. The development demonstrates how design can enhance the student experience while enriching the neighborhood around it, offering a model for urban student housing that balances independence with community and focus with comfort. It stands as an example of how intentional design can create lasting impact for residents and the city alike.
Rambler Atlanta Project Team: LV Collective (Developer), Niles Bolton Associates (Architect), Michael Hsu Office of Architecture (Public Realm Consultant), JE Dunn Construction (Contractor), Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. (Civil Engineer), EM Structural (Structural Engineer), Ironwood Design Group, LLC (Landscape Architect), Archie Bolden (Interior Designer), Chase Daniel (Photographer)
Category: Best Mixed Use Community, Multifamily, Silver Award
Project: The Core Station Yards
Developer: TRITEC Development Company
On any given day, the energy at The Core Station Yards is unmistakable. In the morning, commuters cross the plaza on their way to the Ronkonkoma Long Island Rail Road station, pausing for coffee or breakfast at one of the cafés. By midday, patios fill with diners enjoying lunch, while residents step out from co-working lounges to grab a bite or meet friends. As the sun sets, music drifts across the plaza, lights glow, and the space transforms into a gathering place for neighbors and visitors alike.
The Core delivers 388 apartments within four buildings arranged around this central plaza, which has quickly become the heart of the Station Yards district. Homes feature open layouts and large windows that frame views of landscaped courtyards or the active square. Just above the main lobby, residents have access to a suite of amenities including a co-working lounge, clubroom, wellness studios, and a demonstration kitchen for community events. Outdoor courtyards, fire pits, and a rooftop terrace extend daily life into the open air, blending comfort with connection.
But what truly sets The Core apart is how private life flows naturally into the public realm. Restaurants, breweries, and specialty shops open directly onto the plaza, creating a pedestrian-friendly environment that draws more than 15,000 weekly visitors. Signature events have become a hallmark of the district: the “Grooves on the Green” music series, family movie nights, seasonal holiday markets, and community celebrations such as “Halfway to Station Paddy’s Day” regularly attract thousands. Cell phone data shows traffic to the site has grown fivefold in just a year, underscoring its role as a destination.
Marketing has reinforced this momentum. Nearly 13,000 followers across The Core and Station Yards social media accounts showcase not just the apartments and amenities, but the lifestyle of the district itself—its restaurants, events, and everyday vibrancy. Lifestyle media has described Station Yards as “a vibrant lifestyle hub” that “reimagines what it means to be ‘made on Long Island,’” a reputation strengthened by consistent programming and visible activity.
Behind the scenes, this transformation represents a remarkable public–private partnership. More than $272 million in total investment, including over $42 million in state funding for parking and infrastructure, laid the foundation for success. At the ribbon cutting, Governor Kathy Hochul called The Core “a model for the rest of the state,” praising the partnerships and vision that turned surface parking into a thriving, walkable district.
Today, The Core Station Yards is more than housing or retail—it is a place where people live, gather, and create community. By pairing homes with curated retail and year-round programming, it has given central Long Island a new focal point and a destination that reflects the region’s evolving identity.
The Core Station Yards project team: TRITEC Development Company (Developer), TRITEC Building Company (Contractor) Niles Bolton Associates (Architect, Landscape Architect & Interior Designer), H2M Architects & Engineers (MEP & Civil Engineers), Cates Engineering (Structural Engineer), Alan Schindler Photography (Photographer)