Answers to FAQs and and all questions submitted by competitors will be posted on this page. Deadline to submit questions is July 14th. Questions may be submitted by email to rusty@aiahouston.org. Answers to all questions will be posted by July 20th.

How big is the lot size for the housing competition?
Entrants should choose a lot size based on the average lot size within the study area of the neighborhood for which they are designing a house. The competition guidelines state: The context-sensitive design should be specific to one of the study areas within Acres Homes, Near Northside, Second Ward, and Third Ward indicated on the maps provided, yet flexible and appropriate for construction on other sites. The house design should demonstrate its adaptability to other site conditions and orientations.

For construction budget, are you taking the word of the entrant?
Yes. The competition guidelines state: Affordability of construction should be addressed and materials and cost should be clear. Outline specifications and annotated drawings are encouraged.

What does “local architect” mean?
Local architect means an architect or firm practicing within the territory of AIA Houston. Architects from outside this region can partner with a local architect to participate. 

Are groups able to submit multiple entries if they address different neighborhoods?
Yes

For the Urban Design Competition, do we need to address both commercial and residential streetscapes? Or pick a typology?
It is assumed that the entries will address the institutional and residential usages currently in place in the neighborhood.

For the Urban Design Competition, what criteria should be used to select a roadway segment?
That criteria depends primarily on the intervention you choose for your entry. It is assumed that entries will focus on the area within the green triangle around Tarnef and De Moss Streets, but strategies that move beyond that triangle but take into account anchoring institutions in the community are encouraged.

For the Gulfton tactical urbanism competition, can the design proposal address issues on privately owned property or is it strictly limited to public right-of-way?
Design proposal is limited to public right-of-way and publicly owned property.

Also for Gulfton, can teams’ designs address a single street/block or can they address multiple?
Multiple blocks and streets may be addressed within the study area, as long as they are contiguous.

For the single-family home program, with the affordability limit being $180,000, how should teams address potential but unknown costs related to site conditions (e.g., water taps)?
Teams are not required to address potential, unforeseen costs but are encouraged to think creatively about ways to address long-term maintenance and repair of the home. 

Will the 7 jury members judge all entries from all 5 Complete Communities?
Yes.

Is this competition seeking designs that are neighborhood-specific or generic/could be used in all 5 communities?
The competition guidelines state: The context-sensitive design should be specific to one of the study areas within Acres Homes, Near Northside, Second Ward, and Third Ward indicated on the maps provided, yet flexible and appropriate for construction on other sites. The house design should demonstrate its adaptability to other site conditions and orientations.

In the single-family home competition guidelines, what does “social, economic, and environmental implications” refer to?
Entries are encouraged to consider and think creatively about issues such minimizing the long-term maintenance costs of the home, the sustainability and resiliency of building materials, etc.