The Rice University Design Alliance and the American Institute of Architects, Houston Chapter have a timely idea: challenge designers and architects to design an energy efficient and sustainable small house for under $99,000. Even better still, the house must take into account the hot and humid Houston weather and will be donated to a low-income family. This challenge, known as The 99K House Competition, received 182 entries from around the country. Considering the negative press we've gotten recently about our recycling habits, Houstonist feels slightly vindicated that this idea arose from our own community. Oh yeah, and plans for the winning design include replication throughout the Gulf Coast region. Take that, New York Times!
The winning entry from Hybrid/ORA (Seattle, WA), pictured right, is an adaptable design that can accommodate up to four bedrooms or can be split into two duplex units. The plan features a reduced-size foundation that minimizes impact on the trees at the site. It uses green materials like reclaimed wood, wheat panels for interior partitions and mold-proof magnesium oxide wall boards. The house is situated so that it takes advantage of prevailing summer winds for ventilation and it even has cisterns to collect rainwater for toilet flushing and landscape irrigation. It might be a bit soon to pat ourselves on the back, but we love to see Houston rising to the challenge to foster the development of innovative and sustainable housing options.
Hybrid/ORA will exhibit their design at a reception this Wednesday, September 3 at the Architecture Center Houston (315 Capitol). The reception will be from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with Mayor Bill White scheduled to make opening remarks at 6:30 PM. For more information on the reception visit the AIA Houston Chapter site. You can also see examples from the other finalists, many local, on the 99K House Competition site.
99K House Competition Opening Reception
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Architecture Center Houston
315 Capitol, Suite 120
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I am interested to read about this competition and the winning house. I too am using magnesium oxide for my wallboards. We are using magnesium oxide also for ceilings and floor tile underlayment. You can see our step by step construction journal at Concrete Cottage--Hurricane proof house
and I have compiled a lot of info on USA suppliers of MagnumBoard while I was doing my research.
Gypsum board substitutes