Starter home design competition announced

A competition to generate innovative designs and creative solutions that promote good quality, affordable homes has been announced by Building and Construction Minister Shane Jones and Housing Minister Maryan Street.

The Starter Home Design Competition encourages designers, architects, builders and students to use their creativity to come up with designs that offer flexibility and functionality for first-home buyers.

The competition is being run by the Department of Building and Housing. The winning design will be built by the Housing New Zealand Corporation.

The competition has two categories. The first is for the designs that demonstrate creative solutions that strictly comply with the proposed Compliance Document for Simple Housing (June 2008). The second is for designs based on an innovative application of the proposed Compliance Document with departures from the proposed Compliance Document identified. There are cash prizes for winners and runners-up in each category.

The Compliance Document contains measurements and specifications to build a good quality, affordable home.

Registrations opened on 14 September 2008, and entries close on 19 November 2008 for open entries and 26 November 2008 for student entries.

For more information visit http://www.dbh.govt.nz/starter-home-design