“Framing Sonoma” Wins Best Residential Case Study at 2026 Window + Door Awards
Western Architectural Openings, part of the MITER Brands portfolio and a national provider of large-format glass walls, architectural doors and luxury window systems, has received top recognition at the 2026 Window + Door Awards. The company’s “Framing Sonoma” case study was named the winner of the newly introduced Best Residential Case Study category.
The award recognizes the successful use of architectural window and door products in a completed residential project. “Framing Sonoma” showcases Villa Verde Sonoma, a custom home in Sonoma, California, where expansive glass openings were used to strengthen the relationship between the residence and its surrounding landscape.
Presented by Window & Door magazine and the National Glass Association, the 2026 awards highlight innovative products, projects and applications across the window, door and glass industries. The Best Residential Case Study category was introduced this year to recognize products demonstrated through real-world residential applications.
Award winners will be featured in print and recognized during the awards ceremony at GlassBuild America, scheduled for September 23–25 in Las Vegas.
Connecting Architecture With the Sonoma Landscape
Villa Verde Sonoma was designed to showcase the natural beauty of California’s Sonoma wine country. The project was designed by Allegra Diggins and Sena Tudisco of Ridge Design + Build, with the architecture emphasizing openness, natural light and strong visual connections to the landscape.
A central feature of the residence is its extensive use of large-format architectural openings. Rather than treating windows and doors simply as functional elements, the project uses them as an integral part of the architectural design.
Western Architectural Openings’ Series 600 products helped the design team create expansive openings while maintaining a refined aesthetic. Custom sizing, narrow sightlines and ease of operation provided the flexibility needed to achieve the project’s design objectives.
The result is a home where indoor and outdoor spaces can operate as connected environments, allowing residents to experience the surrounding Sonoma landscape from multiple areas of the property.
A 41-Foot Multi-Slide Door
One of the most distinctive features of Villa Verde Sonoma is a 41-foot Series 600 Multi-Slide Door, which represents the largest opening Ridge Design + Build has incorporated into one of its projects.
The oversized door creates a dramatic transition between the home’s great room and its covered terrace. When the panels are fully retracted, much of the physical separation between the two areas disappears, transforming the spaces into one expansive indoor-outdoor living environment.
The design is particularly suited to Sonoma’s landscape and climate, where outdoor living can play an important role in residential architecture.
The large opening also allows natural light and views to extend deep into the home. With the doors closed, the expansive glazing maintains a strong visual connection to the exterior while providing the separation required for the interior environment.
Windows Extend the Design Concept
The Series 600 system is used throughout the residence beyond the main multi-slide opening. Large fixed windows and double-story window walls help reinforce the project’s architectural concept while balancing the exterior appearance of the home.
These elements create large areas of glazing without overwhelming the overall design. Narrow sightlines help maximize views and natural light while maintaining a clean, contemporary aesthetic.
The combination of fixed windows, window walls and large-format sliding doors creates a consistent visual language throughout Villa Verde Sonoma.
From the great room to other living spaces, the glazing strategy allows the surrounding scenery to become an important part of the home’s interior experience.
Design Flexibility Without Compromise
For residential architects and designers, large architectural openings can present challenges involving structural requirements, product sizing, aesthetics and ease of operation. The Villa Verde Sonoma project demonstrates how flexible product specifications can help address these challenges.
According to Western Architectural Openings, the Series 600 products provided the custom dimensions and narrow sightlines needed by the design team while supporting the home’s emphasis on indoor-outdoor connectivity.
Crystal Perez, Brand Manager for Western Architectural Openings, said the company was honored to have Villa Verde Sonoma selected as the first winner of the Best Residential Case Study category.
Perez noted that the Series 600 products enabled the design team to create dramatic openings that connect interior and exterior spaces while preserving the original design vision.
Recognition for Residential Glass Innovation
The award highlights the growing role of high-performance architectural openings in contemporary residential design. As homeowners and architects increasingly seek stronger connections between indoor and outdoor environments, large-format glazing and expansive door systems are becoming important components of modern homes.
Projects such as Villa Verde Sonoma demonstrate how these products can contribute to more than views and daylight. They can influence circulation, spatial relationships and the way occupants interact with outdoor areas.
The use of large sliding doors and expansive windows also reflects a broader architectural trend toward flexible living spaces that can adapt to different activities and conditions.
Industry Recognition at GlassBuild America
Western Architectural Openings’ recognition at the 2026 Window + Door Awards places the Villa Verde Sonoma project among notable examples of residential window and door applications.
The project will receive further industry visibility through its recognition at GlassBuild America in Las Vegas. The event brings together professionals from across the glass, window and door industries, providing a platform for manufacturers, architects, contractors and other industry participants to examine new technologies and design solutions.
For Western Architectural Openings, the award reinforces its focus on large-format architectural systems and customized solutions for luxury residential projects.
“Framing Sonoma” ultimately demonstrates how carefully designed architectural openings can shape the experience of a home. At Villa Verde Sonoma, expansive glass walls and multi-slide doors help dissolve boundaries between interior rooms and the surrounding Sonoma landscape, creating a residential environment centered on openness, natural beauty and indoor-outdoor living.
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