Tca Brews Storm Housing Competition

Announcing its international design competition, Storm Housing 2007, Tilt-Up Concrete Association (TCA) invites students currently in graduate or undergraduate

Announcing its international design competition, Storm Housing 2007, Tilt-Up Concrete Association (TCA) invites students currently in graduate or undergraduate architecture programs to submit conceptual designs for a storm-resistant housing complex located along the Gulf Coast, using site-cast concrete tilt-up panels for the shell components. Cosponsored by TCA and Portland Cement Association, the competition challenges entrants to inventively tackle the problem of replacing large volumes of single-family housing for lower income levels in the regions hardest hit by recent hurricanes. Entrants are encouraged to present architecturally significant design solutions providing measurable improvements to long-term durability for housing units that can be placed in new rebuild communities.

To that end, proposed solutions must meet the following design conditions:

  • A conceptual site plan for housing that consists of single-family structures or multi-family complexes
  • Homes of the same size range as original plans
  • A block consisting of 20 total units
  • Detailed plans for one unit or multi-unit structure utilizing tilt-up concrete in whole or in part
  • Slab-on-ground housing with no basement
  • Design potentially exploring form and finish for tilt-up construction

A panel of judges will review entries on the basis of such criteria as creative use of the design concept in overall solution; application of tilt-up construction; and, appropriateness of response in the context. Winners will be announced at the TCA Annual Convention on the University of Maryland campus in College Park, Md., on October 5, 2007. Prizes will be awarded as follows: first, $4,250; second, $3,250 ; third, $2,250.

Each prize package includes cash to students and sponsoring departments (if applicable) as well as one free registration ($750 value) to the 2007 TCA Convention (Oct. 3-6) and a $500 travel allowance. Student cash awards for first, second and third place equal $1,500, $1,000 and $500, respectively. Cash awards to sponsoring departments (where applicable) are also $1,500, $1,000 and $500 for first, second and third place, respectively.

The registration deadline for entries is August 31. After entry registration is received, TCA will provide the entrant with an electronic information packet sent in early September. Submissions are due by September 14. For additional information, students may visit www.tilt-up.org/students or call 319/895-6911.