Roth Sheppard Architects

Roth Sheppard Architects to Host Micro Housing Ideas Competition 2013

Register and Find Out More Here:
https://sites.google.com/site/microhousingcompetition

Members of the DENVER ARCHITECTURAL LEAGUE invite you to share your ideas on the design of a new housing typology, an 8 unit micro housing complex. The site, located near 3457 Ringsby Court, is across from the entrance into Denver’s well known TAXI community www.taxibyzeppelin.com

This is an ideas competition inspired by a concern about the lack of innovation evident in Denver’s existing multi-family housing market where many banal apartment, townhouse and condominium complexes are springing up throughout the area. With this competition, designers have the opportunity to explore the future, question the past and re-invent the notion of responsible aff ordable housing with an emphasis on thriveability and regenerative design.

The competition presents an opportunity to follow up on our 2011 Modern House Competition by continuing the design dialogue through an exhibition occurring during the AIA National Convention from June 20 - 22. Prior to the exhibition the submittals will be juried by a distinguished group of representatives in the field of Architecture, Art, Design, Planning and Media. Awards, publication and competition sponsorship will be announced at a later date.

We are looking for new ideas relative to what these terms might mean for architecture and design. The current thinking has been grounded in the realm of sustainability as it relates to energy and ecology, yet sustaining our present condition and lifestyle is not what we area asking for. Rather, consider the term ‘thriveability’ and ‘regenerative’ design’ when addressing social health, human sustenance, site integration, energy generation and utilization, and appropriate materials and building systems. This approach to design has been well outlined in LEED and SITES projects as well as the more recent Living Building Challenge.

We encourage competitors to contemplate and propose ideas that challenge our preconceptions of housing. Architecture exists in the moment as well as over time. Housing must not only provide the mundane notion of shelter but allow us to capture and express our dreams as a society. Architecture and our cities will need to be
more responsive to natural systems, capable of being more self reliant while integrating with community and urban fabric systems.

Societal Health: A sense of neighborhood, connection to urban fabric, sense of belonging, fostering of community, multi-family continuum from public to private expressive of potential new typologies in multiple unit housing. On a micro scale you are providing 8 housing units. Yet on a macro scale you are signaling an entrance into the TAXI community as well as a public entrance to the river. Therefore it is critical that you consider not only the design of the 8 units within their local site but also the relationships of those units to the broader community and the natural environment.

Registration – February 4 – May 1
Due Date – May 9, 5:00pm
Jury – May 11 – 18
Exhibition Party – May 10, 5-8:30 PM
Announcement of Winners – May 20
Award Ceremony -- TBD
Exhibition – May 10 – June 23

$50 per entry.

Honor Award - $1500
Merit Award(s) - $500
Citation Award(s)- $250

Roth Sheppard Architects,
1900 Wazee St. Suite 100
Denver, CO 80202
ph. 303-534-7007 Alicia

Register and Find Out More Here:

https://sites.google.com/site/microhousingcompetition