A design competition for an affordable prefabricated home of innovative conception is being promoted by APL Window Solutions with the support of New Zealand Institute of Architects and Waikato company Built Smart.

The brief envisages a 3-bedroom home between 85 and 105 square metres reflecting a high standard of energy conservation, sustainability, low maintenance and durability for a cost not exceeding $200,000. The competition has four cash awards totalling $21,000 and is intended to find a designer and a solution that will be documented for building consent and construction.

Key dates: 

Registration date: 4pm Monday 3 December 2018
Submission date: 4pm Friday 29 March 2019
Winner(s) announced: 29 April 2019

General Information

To design a relocatable home to be constructed for a cost not to exceed NZ$200,000 + GST ex the builder’s yard.

The home should have:

• a floor area not less than 85 square metres and not more than 105 square metres;
• three bedrooms;
• one bathroom minimum;
• areas for living, eating and cooking.

The competition will select a winner, second and third placed entries as well as a submission that demonstrates radical architectural innovation. 

Presentation requirements

At a minimum, submissions must show plans, elevations, transverse and longitudinal sections at a scale of 1.100 all dimensioned and annotated to show materials and critical elements.

There must also be interior and exterior perspectives and a 500-word description of critical aspects of the project’s driving ideas and intentions.

Entrants must use the number given upon registration. Submissions where the name of the practice or designers are identified will not be accepted.

Registration: 

The competition is open to all designers, who can register by emailing [email protected]. 

APL, the owner of the Altherm, First and Vantage window and door brands, is coordinating the competition, which will be judged by a panel including two representatives from the NZIA (one of whom will chair the jury), APL, Built Smart and an appointee by the Minister of Housing.

The winning team will be contracted by Built Smart to develop the project for construction, including documentation and observation.