Complete Community Housing Prototype

The competition coordinated by the City of Houston and AIA Houston called for a resilient housing prototype for the Mayor’s Complete Communities initiative.

This new home is designed to keep the Third Ward neighborhood fabric intact and provide resilient and affordable housing for the families who have lived here for generations.

The scale and proportion of this home blends in with the existing housing, and the home includes a covered front porch to match historic context and allow neighbors to comfortably engage with the community. The increased presence and enhanced visibility enabled by this home will help foster safe and clean streets.

The home is elevated for flood protection, and a wheelchair-accessible ramp is designed for the primary entrance into the home. The 1-story design utilizes an open floor plan to maximize flexibility and maneuvering clearances. The pier & beam foundation allows for easier repairs and maintenance along with future upgrades. The roof, which is pre-wired for future solar panels, is also designed to capture rainwater for the backyard garden and for washing cars in the front carport.

The design consists of two 15’ wide forms, which could be constructed offsite with modular panel construction. Local labor should be utilized to maximize community involvement and provide jobs. The home proportions and roof forms can flex to respond to different site conditions and property sizes. For example, a single 15’ wide form could be repurposed as a 1-bedroom home for many of the narrower sites located nearby. Producing multiple homes at the same time will increase efficiency, lower construction costs, and contribute to Complete Communities in Third Ward and beyond.