Students from the University of New Mexico School of Architecture and Planning took up the challenge to design a “simple, decent, affordable” five bedroom, two bathroom house for a Habitat for Humanity competition.
Kevin Cronk, executive director, Habitat, Valencia County, devised the competition with students to design the house from requests from families for larger accommodations.
The winning team included Laurie Baker, Terron Cox, Eliza Linde and Jaime Stich, all graduate students in architecture. They designed the house, which features five bedrooms – all with closets – two full bathrooms, living room, kitchen and garage. The competition also required that the house meet certain ADA requirements.
The winning design is scheduled to be built in Valencia County in March.
“We need volunteers to help construct the house. We are issuing a spring break challenge to recruit students willing to help,” said Rachel Nicol, volunteer coordinator, Habitat for Humanity of Valencia County.
Gabriella Gutierrez, associate dean, School of Architecture and Planning, coordinated the competition. She said they received ten entries and the jury picked five finalists.
Geraldine Forbes, director of the architecture program in the School of Architecture and Planning, served as a juror for the competition. She said that all the designs submissions were outstanding, particularly the finalists.
“What made the winning design group stand out is that they approached the design with sensitivity to synthesizing sustainability. They didn’t look just at sustainability in terms of double-pane windows, but also by looking at the orientation of the building, the landscaping, using passive solar systems and active systems in a sustainable way,” she said.
Forbes said that the students conducted a cost analysis along with their building proposal and met with faculty to look at structure, landscaping and environmental controls.
“They created a sensitive design so that when the family moves in, it will be a wonderful space they will be able to enjoy. All sustainable measures will be in place and easy for them to use,” Forbes said.
Gutierrez said that the house will be built in one of the two subdivisions being developed in Valencia County. “What makes this project stand out is that in Albuquerque, Habitat houses are usually built as infill projects. This house will be built in a development which will feature a parks, a community center and other amenities,” she said.
Gutierrez said that the students earned service-learning credit for the competition, a requirement of the architecture program.
For more information or to volunteer, please call Rachel Nicol, 505-864-3033.