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Stage
I: Stage
II: As much as possible this will be a paperless, web-based competition; all entries must be electronic. Registration, Submission instructions, Schedule, Program, Submission Requirements, Rules and Regulations, Jury information, and Frequently Asked Questions and Answers are posted on the competition Web site. Jurors will come together in Houston to view submissions electronically. After the winner is chosen, an exhibition of selected entries will be mounted at the Architecture Center Houston, and a catalog including selected entries and details of the three final projects will be published. The City of Houston is donating a site
for the house through the Land Assemblage Redevelopment
Authority (LARA) initiative. CONTEXT Houston’s Fifth Ward neighborhood, a residential area east of downtown Houston, is a low-income neighborhood characterized primarily by wood-clad, one-story cottages on raised pier foundations. Established in the late nineteenth century, the Fifth Ward contains small-scale houses with a high ratio of public service amenities such as parks, schools, churches, and community centers. This area has seen recent decay through neglect of homeowners, which has led to many vacant lots and foreclosures. The neighborhood was selected as the site for The 99K House Competition because the organizers believe that construction of one prototypical affordable house here will initiate neighborhood revitalization. We hope our interest in this neighborhood will encourage low-income families who have left their neighborhood to return. The competition will also address the changing demographic of low-income families in the Gulf Coast region. Prevailing building heights, massing,
and residential uses contribute to a consistent and harmonious
character found among the immediate surroundings and should
be considered. AFFORDABILITY Construction costs cannot exceed $99,000,
as designated by Houston contractors who will provide pricing
for the three final proposals. Organizers of the competition
believe that this is a realistic budget, given local economic
conditions. However, entrants must be aware that the 99K
budget includes builder’s overhead and profit, all
appliances, hardware, and finishes, and any additional
engineering or architectural fees. Logically, hard construction
costs of materials and labor should be in the range of
$75,000. SUSTAINABILITY All entries should recognize that sustainable
construction systems and materials will be considered by
the jury, who will recognize that through efficient energy
use, initial cost can be offset by savings in ongoing utility
bills. Energy generated by on-site sustainable technologies
can exceed ENERGY STAR® requirements, further contributing
to lower overall annual operating costs. When applying low-maintenance material systems, higher initial cost may provide enhanced long term benefits. Other optimal choices for material systems are those that cause less pollution or contribute less to the non-renewable waste stream. Construction waste should be minimized. Materials and processes that yield a smaller environmental footprint have benefits to both the homeowners and the broader community.
A 3-bedroom, 1½ to 2-bathroom, single-family house up to 1,400 SF and appropriate for four people. If a garage is included, its SF must be included in the total number of SF of the project. Carports need not be included in SF but will add to construction cost. Two on-site parking places are required, but they do not have to be covered and can be one behind the other. The design should be flexible and appropriate for construction, either as infill or as block redevelopment within Houston’s underdeveloped inner city neighborhoods. All entries should address the following considerations:• Climate in the Gulf Coast region • Maintenance and material life span • Energy efficiency (www.energystar.gov) • Affordability ≤ 99K • LARA guidelines: (www.houstontx.gov/lara/) • The principles of Social, Economic, Environmental Design Houses may be of pier-and-beam or slab-on-grade construction. Houses may be constructed on-site or may consist of modular units, constructed off-site. Houses may not exceed two stories, shall have space for a stacked washer and dryer, a 30" cooking range, and a 36" refrigerator. Appliances should be included in the construction budget. The successful competitor will use sustainable building practices and materials with a special concern for affordability, longevity, energy savings benefits, and appropriateness for the hot, humid Houston climate. All entrants should design with as many energy-efficient standards as possible. The winning design should use the fewest resources (labor and materials) to achieve the highest design impact.While the competition provides a specific site, the house design should demonstrate its adaptability to other site conditions and orientations. The $99,000 construction limit must include construction costs, financing, closing costs, commissions, overhead, and profit. The actual construction budget in the Houston area will be approximately $75,000. The lot and infrastructure are not included in this figure. To download budget template (excel), Click here.
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