Pattern Book Design Competition for Habitat for Humanity

April 12, 2009 - PRLog -- The ICA&CA-SCC and the Los Angeles affiliate of Habitat for Humanity are launching 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 housing which families actually dream of owning. The competition seeks single-family home designs in Southern California vernacular styles that can be adapted for use by Habitat for Humanity affiliates throughout Southern California.  The design entries should inform and inspire affordable, neighborly, sustainable homes that can be readily built by Habitat volunteers.  The competition is open to architects, interior designers, landscape architects and those in the construction industry.  The winning entries will be published in a pattern design guide for use by Habitat for Humanity.

The pattern book 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 is 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.”

The launch party for the Southern California Pattern Book Design Competition will be held on, April 16th, 2009, 6:30 p.m., at Almont Yard (636 North Almont, Drive, West Hollywood, 90069).  Entries are due July 1st, 2009.  The Competition is made possible by the support from DC Williamson General Contracting, Inc., McCoy Construction, Richard Holz, Inc, TaylorDevelopment and WaterWorks.

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 or contact Diane Sipos, Chapter Coordinator ICA&CA-SCC (Institute for Classical Architecture & Classical America, Southern California Chapter)
310-396-4379
diane@classicist-socal.org