AIA4SHELTER / Aletheia House DESIGN COMPETITION

INTRODUCTION

The design competition calls for a single family house with up to a maximum of 1,400 SF, including 3 bedrooms and 1½ - 2 bathrooms, on an approximately 50' x 150' site in the Historic Norwood neighborhood of Birmingham. Four winning designs will be selected. 1st place will receive a $1000 award, 2nd Place a $500 award. Non-cash prizes will be awarded to the 3rd and 4th place designs. Aletheia House intends to contract with each of the winners as new sites are acquired, to develop the design further for construction. The Entry fee for each project is $75 for AIA members and $100 for non members, payable by check.

Entrants should check the web site periodically for any announcements, changes, and other updated information regarding the competition.

The designs will be judged based on five criteria which are discussed further below; Neighborhood context, affordability, sustainability, design, and livability.

NEIGHBORHOOD CONTEXT
Norwood, a residential area north east of downtown Birmingham, is a low-income neighborhood characterized primarily by wood-clad, one and two story bungalows on raised pier foundations.  Established in the late nineteenth century, Norwood contains a mix of small-scale houses and larger homes 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.
Prevailing building heights, massing, and residential uses contribute to a consistent and harmonious character found among the immediate surroundings and should be considered. 

Please refer to the Norwood neighborhood study produced by the Auburn Urban Design Studio. 

AFFORDABILITY
Obviously, as a single family, affordable housing, design competition, construction cost and life cycle cost are extremely important. The house should be able to be built by a licensed contractor for approximately $100,000. It should also be efficient to maintain over the years.

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. 

By site positioning, massing, and overall design, building elements can shade otherwise exposed exterior building materials thereby lowering exposure to solar heat gain and baseline energy demands. Exterior shading may also protect exposed building surfaces from ultraviolet light that deteriorates surfaces and increases maintenance 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.

DESIGN
The general term “design” is included in the criteria even though it encompasses the other criteria within it. The intent in listing it as one of the criteria is to remind and inspire the competitors that meeting all the other criteria is not good enough. We are looking for innovative solutions that make affordable housing special in such a way that NIMBY (not in my back yard) becomes PIMBY (please in my back yard).
Below are some links that may be helpful.
http://www.designadvisor.org     
http://www.aia.org/hs_sub_affordable   

LIVABILITY
The term Livability refers to how the design works in everyday life for the users (tenants) and their neighbors. Please refer to the AIA website link below for further information and ideas that promote livability.
http://www.aia.org/liv_new_livable