Winning Design Top-Rated Habitat For Humanity House Plan Offers Flexibility

F orty-two thousand dollars and 1,050 square feet to play with - not bad for, say, a nicely finished two-car garage with a small work area and a bit of storage space.

But recently Spokane architects were handed those criteria and challenged to come up with a three-bedroom home, complete with a “great room” and covered porches front and back.

Oh, one more thing: the $42,000 had to include the cost of the building site.

The local American Institute of Architects chapter wasn’t asking for a miracle, just a typical Habitat For Humanity residence.

The house had to fit on a hypothetical 50-by-140-foot neighborhood lot and not clash with existing homes. In Habitat’s words, had to be “simple, decent and affordable.”

Five local architects accepted AIA’s challenge and submitted designs, which are on display in the downtown library lobby though Dec. 20.

Contest entries range from a traditional Craftsman-style bungalow to a contemporary split-level.

The winning design, submitted by Scott Whitesitt of ALSC Architects, mixes and matches exterior details to help the home fit comfortably in a variety of neighborhoods.

The roofline is slightly steeper than normal, with Craftsman-style exposed rafter tails. But instead of going with a tapered Craftsman porch support, Whitesitt chose a simpler, less-expensive solution: 8-inch-diameter plastic sewer pipe.

By next spring, AIA members hope to have raised enough money to begin work on Whitesitt’s design. But Habitat construction coordinator Rich Roberts said all five entries display ideas worth incorporating in other Habitat projects.

“Any time we can cut corners and still maintain quality, I’m open to suggestions,” said Roberts, who helped judge the AIA contest. Since its formation nine years ago, Spokane’s nonprofit Habitat For Humanity has built 44 homes for lowincome area residents.

Like most architects, Whitesitt is more accustomed to working with well-heeled clients. But he did have one advantage going into AIA’s contest: The house he designed and built for his own family is a modest 1,100 square feet.

“It’s a simple, two-story box,” said Whitesitt. “Even with my three children, I’ve found you don’t need 2,000 square feet to live comfortably. But you do have to think about the spaces you have. You need a multipurpose room where you can have 14 people over if the need arises.”

The Habitat home he designed includes a large, unencumbered multipurpose space, handicap accessibility, and enough flexibility so that future owners can add a bedroom or garage rather than having to move, should their needs change.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Drawing

MEMO: The AIA Design For Habitat contest entries are accessible during normal downtown library hours. To learn more about Habitat projects, call 534-2552. Those interested in contributing time, money or materials to the AIA’s Habitat home should contact that group at 747-5498.