13 December 2021 · By Merlin Fulcher

An open international ideas competition is being held for ‘creative and liveable’ prefabricated homes [Deadline: 12 January 2022]

The free-to-enter contest – organised by the ArchiCAD wooden structures add-on ArchiFrame – seeks proposals for a residential building that could form a ‘new kind of prefabricated community’ and help challenge preconceptions that the delivery technique is monotonous or lacks creativity.

Proposals should explore ways to improve the sustainability and lifespan of a house for two or three people and could focus on any location or scale – from a micro-home to a skyscraper. Participants are encouraged to harness CAD drawing tools to create a 3D structural image that can be used for visualising a prototype of their design.

According to the brief: ‘The international competition gives participants a free hand to shape their dream prefabricated home using BIM software to come up with creative plans for prefabricated houses that interest both builders and future homeowners.

‘We want to see a residential building that is prefabricated without losing any of the joy and creativity of a home. We want to see a liveable and innovative house design that makes the most of available building materials, embracing their creative and sustainable potential. The home designed can be located in either a rural, suburban, or an urban environment, and we welcome designs that push the boundaries of what a home can look like.’

Founded in 2009, ArchiFrame is a Helsinki-based add-on for ArchiCAD specialising in the design of wooden structures. The Prefab Homes for 2030 competition comes 11 years after UK-based ZEDfactory announced a new series of off-the-shelf homes (pictured) targeting zero carbon.

The competition aims to identify creative and liveable concepts that could help to unlock sustainable and flexible ways of building residential communities around the world over the coming decade. Submissions may focus on any site but must provide sufficient protection from the elements and other local challenges.

Judges will include Péter Paalanen of ArchiFrame; Kristoffer Sandbu, chief executive of Graphisoft; Tracie Simmons, managing director at ARCHVISTA; and Federico Lenarduzzi – chief executive of Fermat Design.

The overall winner, to be announced on 23 February, will receive a year’s subscription to ArchiFrame and Archicad which is worth around $8,000 USD. A second place prize of a six month subscription will also be awarded.

The deadline for applications is 2pm local time (UTC+3) on 12 January

Visit the competition website for more information

Email: support@archiframe.fi / kayleigh@archiframe.fi

Tags archicad competition Modern methods of construction Prefabricated housing Prefabrication

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