Design Competition will showcase the best residential designs by emerging professionals

Washington, D.C. – March 2, 2015 – The AIA has teamed up with Houzz ( www.houzz.com) to develop a design competition to highlight the talent of emerging professionals in the residential arena. 

All entrants will be showcased to the more than 25 million people using Houzz. Five winners, chosen by the Houzz community in each of the five contest categories, will also earn the opportunity to collaborate with Houzz on a community revitalization project and be eligible for a $5,000 prize and an expense-paid trip to the 2015 AIA National Convention and Design Exposition in Atlanta.  Categories include:

• Social Impact – Designs that advance local interests by offering a safe haven or meeting place for residents. Projects should exhibit socially conscious themes and provide solutions to issues currently impacting the community.
• Small Spaces – Designs may be micro-units or standalone structures. All projects must be ADA-compliant and IBC-code compliant.  Projects can be used as permanent shelter or serve as a specific function space. 
• Universal Design – Design concepts that address the issue of in-home accessibility.  For more information on Universal Design, visit www.universaldesign.com
• Innovation – Residential-relevant designs that fall outside the three categories above. These projects may include innovative building materials and products as well as residential structures.
• Students* – Designs by students currently enrolled in a NAAB-accredited architecture program. Projects should be residential in nature and address current housing issues: accessibility, sustainability, etc.  Find out if your architecture program is NAAB-accredited here.
  *Student design work, or projects designed while in school, may be submitted in the student category.  If you are a recent graduate, please submit all projects created while in school in this category.

For more information and how to enter, visit: http://bitly.com/FOAEntries

About The American Institute of Architects
Founded in 1857, the American Institute of Architects consistently works to create more valuable, healthy, secure, and sustainable buildings, neighborhoods, and communities. Through nearly 300 state and local chapters, the AIA advocates for public policies that promote economic vitality and public wellbeing. Members adhere to a code of ethics and conduct to ensure the highest professional standards. The AIA provides members with tools and resources to assist them in their careers and business as well as engaging civic and government leaders and the public to find solutions to pressing issues facing our communities, institutions, nation and world. Visit www.aia.org.

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