The Southern California Chapter of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Classical America (ICA&CA-SCC) announced the winning designs of its inaugural Affordable Housing Design Competition at a special reception at the new Waterworks, West Hollywood, on July 16, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.. The event was held to benefit Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles. The winners are:
Best Overall Design
Cindy Grant Architecture, Inc. with Tierra Sol y Mar, Inc. and Brooke Gardner Interior Design
Best Craftsman
William Hefner Architecture, Interiors and Landscape
Best Spanish Colonial
Cindy Grant Architecture, Inc. with Tierra Sol y Mar, Inc. and Brooke Gardner Interior Design
Best Mid-Century Modern
KAA Design Group, Inc. with Kaplan Gehring McCarroll Architectural Lighting
Best Contemporary
William Hefner Architecture, Interiors and Landscape
Best English Colonial Revival
Michael G Imber, Architects
Spanish Colonial & Best Overall Design Winner by Cindy Grant Architecture, Inc.
The ICA&CA-SCC and Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles launched this competition in response to the critical need to shelter families impacted by the current economic crisis. This partnership brings a fresh approach to an age-old problem: affordable homes which families actually dream of owning. Over twenty-two firms nationwide representing architects, interior designers, landscape architects and those in the construction industry have entered the competition. The single-family home designs capturing the best of Southern California vernacular styles will be adapted for use by Habitat for Humanity affiliates throughout Southern California. The design entries inform and inspire affordable, neighborly, sustainable homes that can be readily built by Habitat volunteers. The winning entries will be published in a pattern design guidebook for use by Habitat for Humanity.
Craftsman by William Hefner Architecture, Interiors and Landscape
Committee member Brooke Gardner speaks to the importance of this initiative: “The goal of the competition was to produce an Architectural Pattern Book to be used in the field by Habitat volunteers. The Pattern Book will feature five different architectural styles, Spanish Colonial, English Colonial, Craftsman, Mid-Century Modern and Contemporary and will offer aesthetically pleasing, affordable design solutions that will help Habitat secure the permits and the resources to house families in need. It is hoped that the partnership between these two highly respected non-profit groups will result in building designs that will encourage healthy community growth, accelerate project approvals within building agencies, and ultimately, provide affordable homes to those desperately in need. This was a unique opportunity to direct the skill and attention of design practitioners to meet an urgent social need and to reduce the ‘not in my backyard’ community response to many affordable housing initiatives.”
English Colonial Revival by Michael G. Imber Architects
The competition is made possible by the support from DC Williamson General Contracting, Inc., McCoy Construction, Waterworks, Richard Holz, Inc., Taylor Development, William Hefner Architecture, KAA Design Group, and the Pacific Design Center.
About ICA&CA-SCC:
The ICA&CA is the leading national non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the practice and appreciation of the classical tradition in architecture and the allied arts. The organization fulfills its mission through four program areas: education, publications, awards and advocacy.
The Southern California Chapter regularly produces unique events, home tours, lectures, continuing education courses and discussions with architects, authors and designers committed to advancing the institute’s core values.
For more information, log onto www.classicist-socal.org.
About Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles
Habitat For Humanity of Greater Los Angeles strives to eliminate poverty housing through advocacy, education and partnership with families in need to build simple, decent affordable housing. Since 1990, HFH GLA has built and renovated nearly 500 homes locally and worldwide, transforming the lives of hundreds of individuals.
For more information, visit www.habitatla.org.
The image shown as ‘English Colonial Revival by Michael G. Imber Architects’ above is not our office’s work. We did participate, but this image might have been posted in error. Please contact the So.Cal ICA&CA chapter, or our office, for the correct image. Thank you.
In addition, the image shown as “Spanish Colonial & Best Overall Design Winner by Cindy Grant Architecture, Inc.” – while quite lovely indeed – is not Cindy’s design, and was not the winner. Chris’ suggetion above is a good one: Contact Diane Sipos at the Southern California Chapter for the correct information.