By Susan A. Baird
PBN Web Editor
PROVIDENCE – Architects from Providence and Vermont shared top honors in the city’s first “green” housing design contest, Mayor David N. Cicilline said this morning at Providence’s annual Celebration of Housing Breakfast.
“As we work to increase the supply of affordable homes in our neighborhoods, we must also ensure that those homes are environmentally sustainable,” Cicilline told his audience at the Providence Marriott. “The winners of the Sustainable Housing Design Competition have put forward design proposals that demonstrate how ‘green’ can also be affordable.”
Christine Malecki West, of Providence-based Kite Architects, and Robert Swinburne, of Brattleboro, Vt. – both members of the American Institute of Architects – were awarded $5,000 each for their “green” designs. An honorable mention for design ingenuity went to Ron Henderson of Providence.
They were chosen from among more than a dozen entries, based on design and community context; environmental certification, under the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program, and technology; replicable design; and realistic budget and materials.
West’s house “demonstrates that green design need not be eccentric to make a strong statement,” the judges wrote. “Victorian houses throughout Providence provide a role model for simple forms that create opportunities for distinctive yet neighborly character through elements like this house’s entry tower. The alternate plan demonstrates how the proportions of the basic design allow dramatically different façades and roof styles. Unique tower ‘toppers’ allow individual expression and an opportunity for exploration and learning, whether it is connecting to nature with star-gazing or plantings or a platform for wind-catching turbines.
“The design places a strong emphasis keeping energy use low. … Natural ventilation is key to avoid wasteful air conditioning, and is entirely realistic with Rhode Island’s climate. … The footprint is extremely compact yet the floor plan has clear circulation and an open airy feel.”
Her plan also minimizes water use – through the use of permeable materials, drought-resistant ground cover and low-flow fixtures – while building techniques including off-site panelization help limit construction waste.
Swinburne’s design would be “a ‘gem’ in any neighborhood,” the judges wrote. “It’s small size and beautiful proportions are reminiscient of many older homes but with a modern flexible plan. … The site layout allows for a traditional side driveway to a small backyard garage. … The front of the house works well either pushed up to the sidewalk or set back with a short walk to the front steps. The front porch is large and deep enough to serve as an outdoor room in warmer months.”
Henderson’s design pairs “an economical exterior with an open loft interior,” in what the judges called “the most affordable strategy at initial construction. Importantly, it also allows long term adaptability for diverse households to configure the house on their own. For a family, the house is compact yet has the opportunity for generously scaled public rooms. … For couples or partners, the plan can be configured with a large south-facing master bedroom with a small guest room upstairs. … For roommates, there can be four separate bedrooms with shared baths. … For a two-family, there are separate entrances that makes it easy to divide into two flats. The opportunity for a young couple, single parent, or single person to occupy one unit and rent the other provides tremendous affordability. As finances grow more secure, it is simple to remove two partitions and make a single family home that accommodates a growing family.”
The competition was blind, so even the judges were unaware of the contestants’ identities. The panel of judges included representatives from the building trades, housing development, architecture and environmental advocacy.
The American Institute of Architects, based in Washington, D.C., is a nationwide association whose Rhode Island Chapter represents more than 250 design professionals and 50 affiliate members from allied professions. To learn more about the national or local AIA, visit www.AIA-ri.org .
Additional information about the City of Providence’s first Sustainable Housing Design Competition – including images and floor plans of the winning entries – and other news from the Providence Department of Planning and Development, is available at www.ProvidencePlanning.org.
