The Lake Forest Preservation Foundation presented What Makes a Winner—Lake Forest Preservation Awards, an educational program designed for homeowners and preservation enthusiasts who want to understand what elevates a project from “updated” to truly award-worthy.
Whether you’re restoring original details, planning an addition, or simply trying to maintain an older home responsibly, this program explores practical best practices for creating harmony—between old and new design, building and landscape, and your home and its neighborhood. Panelists **Art Miller, Susan Benjamin, James Shearron, Jim Opsitnik, and Brian Norton shared guidance on preserving character while making thoughtful improvements.
The discussion also covered how the Foundation evaluates projects for its annual Preservation Awards, using criteria rooted in the U.S. Department of the Interior’s preservation guidelines—helpful context for anyone considering a future nomination, or simply aiming to be a great steward of Lake Forest’s architectural legacy.
