Living Big in Small Spaces

Rice Design Alliance (RDA) volunteers at the 2009 Architecture Tour: Small Houses.

Above: One of the houses on the tour, an 1800 square foot residence and workspace that was designed by Dawn Finley and Mark Wamble, www.interlooparchitecture.com


If the choice were between style and space, I would take style anytime.  Tall Husband and I attended the RDA Small House tour this past Sunday. Unfortunately, no camera's were allowed; though some attendees did have point and shoots. However, we respected their rules...well, except for this drive-by shooting of one of the homes. For years, we have been volunteer docents at this event, but chose to just leisurely tour this year.

Small houses are so appealing. Each home on the tour "lives large" as each is so well designed from a space, as well as an aesthetic perspective.

For more information/photos of the tour homes, click here.

99K House Competition Opening Reception

Last night, the 2008 99K House Competition opening reception was packed with design enthusiasts. The Competition is sponsored by the Rice Design Alliance and the American Institute of Architects, Houston Chapter. The challenge to the designers and architects was "to create an innovative design for a small house that is affordable, sustainable, and energy efficient." There were 184 entries from around the United States. The complete list of participants is at http://www.the99khouse.com/.

The competition winner was Hybrid/ORA from Seattle, Washington with Core, a compact, highly adaptable house. Core will be built in Houston. The City of Houston is donating a site for the house through the Land Assemblage Redevelopment Authority (LARA) initiative.

Architecture Center Houston

Houston's Mayor Bill White outlined an opportunity for the design savvy, who can qualify for FHA loans, to build a 99k home on inner city land. The city will assist the future homeowner or investor with low cost land and other aspects of turning one of these modern, energy efficient designs into a reality.


Some of the finalist's models above and below.

At such design events as these, the potential of running into friends with like passions is the big draw and this event did not disappoint.

More friends, some old and some new.

Another winner at this reception was Gourmet Familia, Charles M. Morales' catering company. Also, the gourmet marshmallows by Sharon Erisman of Queen Bee Marshmallows, were a true taste experience. Pictured above are the cayenne pepper with dark chocolate marshmallows, my favorite. Gourmet Familia is located at 12633 Memorial Drive, Suite 181, Houston, Texas. 832-526-8236; Queen Bee Marshmallows: 281-433-5235.

99K House Exhibition Opening

According to the e-mail invitation I received, the Rice Design Alliance and AIA Houston will open their exhibition of 66 selected entries to the 99K House Competition on September 3, 2008 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Architecture Center Houston, 315 Capitol.

A catalog of this exhibition will be on sale for $9.99.

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

6:00-8:00 pm reception

6:30 pm Mayor White opening remarks

(no RSVP needed)

The exhibition will run through October 30, 2008.

ArCH is open Mon-Thu 8:30am-5pm; Fri 8:30am-3pm. Please see attached map.

Admission is free. For more information, please call AIA Houston at (713) 520-0155.

Click on the map below to enlarge.