Winners of the 2024 Design of the Year Contest


Chief Architect Software Design of the year winners, a collage of a Kitchen and Bath, Residential Design, and a Remodeling project.

Profile image of Danielle Schroeder By Danielle Schroeder

Congratulations to the Chief Architect Design of the Year Winners!

Each year, Chief Architect holds monthly design contests for customers to showcase their work. Designers with various styles and backgrounds compete head to head in the following categories: Kitchen, Bath and Interiors, Residential, and Remodel/Addition.

Every month, designs are voted on through the Chief Architect Facebook page. In December, the winners are entered into the Design of the Year Contest. Voting was open until January 9th, and the results are in!


Grand Prize Winners

Watch the video announcement on our Facebook page.

Kitchen, Bath and Interiors Design Category

Grand Prize Winner – Leslie Ann Gali

Leslie Ann Gali Profile image
Leslie Ann Gali

“I was born and raised in Kodiak, Alaska, and I developed a strong desire to expand my horizons and explore new opportunities. With the help of my high school teacher and mentor, Mike Finley, I was able to spark my journey in interior design and architecture. This was possible because I was able to take STEAM classes specifically involving CAD programs, which helped me explore a career that I knew I wanted. This ambition led me to Bozeman, Montana, where I pursued a degree in Interior Design at Montana State University/Gallatin College. This resulted in me finding a career involving being a draftsman. 

As a draftsman at Quest Cabinetry and Design, I am dedicated to redefining design through innovative solutions and attention to detail. My role allows me to translate creative ideas into practical applications while continually pushing the boundaries of design. 

Beyond my professional pursuits, I have a deep love for the outdoors. I often explore the beautiful landscapes with my dog, Trixie. I believe in living life to the fullest and embracing every adventure that comes my way. My journey from Kodiak to Bozeman reflects my commitment to both personal and professional growth as I seek to blend my love for design with the beauty of the world around me.”

Wall of full-height cabinets to hide a desk workspace with an image of buffalo spanning the front of the cabinets.

Residential Design Category

Grand Prize Winner – Ryan McAllen

Ryan McAllen profile image
Ryan McAllen

“I’m the co-founder of Tidal Drafting & Design, located on the South Shore of Nova Scotia, Canada. I’ve been working in the Architectural Design industry now for 8 years and have spent countless hours pouring over new processes, ideas, and plans in that time. I work with a variety of clients who tend to have a variety of styles and preferences ranging from post and beam structures you would find in the mountains to colorful coastal homes you would find along the Northern Atlantic seaboard and everything in between. Getting to see my client’s excitement when we finish creating a project together is about as rewarding as it gets. It’s what keeps me sane when the workload gets busy!

I tend to work directly with my clients, ensuring that every design I create is tailor-made to suit their wants and needs without blowing their budget. Chief Architect gives me the freedom I need to make adjustments and work out ideas on the fly, allowing me to visualize concepts for my clients just moments after we’ve discussed them. My expertise lies in residential and light commercial design, but I’m never afraid to take on a new challenge, thanks to the help of my incredible team here at Tidal.

I am incredibly optimistic about our future here at Tidal Drafting & Design and with Chief Architect for years to come.”

Cozy cabin home with back porch seating space

Remodel/Addition Design Category

Grand Prize Winner – Christopher Mainelli

Profile image of Christopher Mainelli
Christopher Mainelli

“My name is Christopher Mainelli. I am a 25 yr. old draftsman and I own Architrave Design Studio based out of Omaha. I specialize in custom house plans and 3D realistic renderings. I started my drafting business as a passion project, and I love seeing client’s dreams come to life in front of me. I enjoy working with homeowners, architects, and builders alike. This gives me a full range of clients across the construction field. I grew up working construction through a family business and majored in Art/Design in college. I always try to find the intersection of form and function and my goal is to implement that into my designs. Renderings give me a way to express this intersection in the construction world. I hope to keep doing this for many years to come and plan on using Chief to help me achieve this! I look forward to entering more design contests!”


Thank you to everyone who shared designs with us in 2024. We are excited about a new year of design contests beginning in February. Learn how to share your designs and enter our upcoming contest.

8 comments

GEORGE VILLARREAL

Residential winner looks like one of Chiefs training video plans. Good work, but not too original.

Buenos días, Señores de Chief Architect yo quiero saber si tienen versión de este programa en español.
porque para mí a mis 67 años sería más fácil usar mi programa de Chief Architect en español.

Chief Architect

Hello Carlos,

Thank you for your interest in Chief Architect Software. The software is only offered in English at this time.

If you have any other questions, feel free to reach out.

Best,

Chief Architect Sales

Normand Doré

Good morning
I have been using Chef Architect Pro since 2020, your software is great but I am not as good in the English language, I am French speaking from Quebec but for some time I have been translating my screens into French simultaneously with Google and it helps me a lot to learn.
I would so appreciate being able to translate Home Designer Pro 2024 Professional User’s Guide and Reference Manual but the PDFs are not translating simultaneously, could you help me on this, I would save so much time.
Your webinars are so good and informative.
Thank you and good day
Normand Doré
1107ndore@gmail.com
P.S. Sorry if there are spelling mistakes this text is translated into Google

Chief Architect

Hello Normand,

Thank you for reaching out to Chief Architect Software. The User guide is available in English only at this time. We will bring your request to have that translated to the team. In the meantime, you can utilize the pdf download and translate using a third party resource. We also have a Chief Architect YouTube channel, on YouTube there is an option to select a language to translate to although we cannot guarantee the accuracy.

Have a good day!
Chief Architect Sales

solangel elvira ramos gomez

i want to know how they did this render because when i try to render using chief if not like this is not too real

Chief Architect

Hello Solangel!

Renderings can vary a great amount with settings and lighting. Read our article on rendering tips for more information on improving renderings.

Have a good day,

Chief Architect Sales

jacobo banman

HOLA Arquitectos de Chief Architect me gusta trabajar con el Chief es facil si lo recomendo


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