Introduction

As chair of the Architecture Program at Dutchess Community College, I have had the pleasure of coordinating the High School Competition for the last ten years. I have also had the task of writing the design program. Each year I have written a program having a different client (high school teachers may remember the rabbit room, the piano house and custom motorcycle home owner). I have written programs which highlight a particular architect or style, and I have written a program which included design criteria for sustainable design, site issues and access needs of the client.

This year I have decided to take a different direction and create a real project with a real site and client. The project is not a dream house in terms of size or design. It is a dream house to the people who will occupy it.

I look forward to your ideas and designs. Good luck!

David Freeman

Project

Hudson River Housing was created in 1982 when then County Executive, Lucille Pattison asked a group of concerned citizens to address the emerging homeless problem in Dutchess County. In 1988 Hudson River Housing was designated a Neighborhood Preservation Company by New York State’s Division of Housing and Community Renewal. This designation provided them with administrative support to carry out housing and community development related activities in the City of Poughkeepsie. In 1991 they built two side-by-side townhomes on a vacant parcel on Smith Street in the City of Poughkeepsie. The homes were sold to first time homebuyers for $42,000 each. The demonstration project was remarkable for the “pride in homeownership” displayed by the owners, evidenced by the landscaping, decking, fencing and other amenities which the new owners did themselves. In 1995 Hudson River Housing partnered with the Regan Development Corporation along with the City of Poughkeepsie to build ten, two-family homes on scattered, vacant lots in the City. Each home was sold to a first-time homebuyer. Today, Hudson River Housing is responsible for over 287 units of rental housing with more on the way. They continue to build two family homes in the City and this year they expect to house 3,000 individuals.

This year the High School Competition program is to design a two family home which meets the criteria for Hudson River Housing's project. The building site is located on the north side of Poughkeepsie in a well established neighborhood with access to a local park. The lot size is 50-feet by 190-feet and is accessed from the street at the front of the property. Local zoning requires at minimum a front yard set back of 20 feet, a side yard set back on each side of 6 feet and a rear yard set back of 15 feet. Maximum height 2 1/2 stories or 35 feet. Off street parking is required for 6 cars and parking must be behind the house, including one handicapped parking space.

The driveway can be placed on side of the house as you decide. This is a large city lot, so lots of natural light is possible.

The maximum living area, exclusive of porches, is to be 2600 square feet. Separate entrances are preferred.

The first floor is the owner's unit with a Living Room, Dining Area, Kitchen, three Bedroom, one full bath with vanity, lavatory, water closet and tub and a half bath with vanity, lavatory and water closet. Laundry for the owner's unit will be in the basement.

The second floor is a rental unit with a Living Room, Dining Area, Kitchen, two Bedroom, one full bath with vanity, lavatory, water closet and tub and a half bath with vanity, lavatory and water closet. Laundry for the second floor unit with be a stackable washer and dryer in a laundry closet.

The design of the home must include a front porch, which may be used by both families if separated, or a porch at each level of the home. The first floor must have entrance to both the front and rear yards. The second floor unit entry may be from either the front or rear of the building.

The style of the home must be in keeping with the neighborhood and the historical architecture of the City of Poughkeepsie. It is also desirable to incorporate the principles of sustainable design and the use of green building products into your design. Your ideas should be presented as part of the drawings.

ELIGIBILITY:

High school students who are currently enrolled (and will be at the time of judging), in a Dutchess, Ulster, Orange, or Putnam County High School may compete. Designs and submissions must be done by individual students and not groups. All designs must be the original work of the student.

PRIZES

Monetary awards in the amounts of $250 for first place, $150 for second place, $100 for third place, $50 for fourth place and $25 for fifth place will be presented. Five merit awards will also be presented.

ENTRY PROCEDURE:

An official entry or a photocopy of an official entry may be used. The entry form is to be placed in an unsealed blank envelope attached to the back of your submittal.

SUBMISSION AND DEADLINE:

Deliver submissions to:

DUTCHESS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGIES OFFICE

TACONIC HALL, ROOM T210

53 PENDELL ROAD

POUGHKEEPSIE, NEW YORK 12601-1595

845-431-8410

ATTN: DAVID FREEMAN

All entries must be received by 4 P.M., June 2, 2008. Late entries will not be accepted. Submissions may be picked up by competitors after July 1, 2008 by contacting David Freeman. Dutchess Community College regretfully cannot return any submissions by mail or other means.

Students submitting winning entries agree to allow Dutchess Community College, Home Builders Association of the Hudson Valley, the Poughkeepsie Journal and the Westchester/Mid-Hudson Chapter of the American Institute of Architects the right to use submissions for publicity purposes.

JUDGING AND JURORS:

Judging will be held during the first week of June 2008. Winners will be notified by telephone. Results will be published in the Poughkeepsie Journal and local papers during June and July. Jurors may include representatives of:

Dutchess Community College Architecture Program Faculty and Alumni

Home Builders Association of the Hudson Valley

Westchester/Mid-Hudson Chapter American Institute of Architects

An awards luncheon will be held during the last weeks of June 2008 for the ten

finalists and their families.

EVALUATION

Creativity and imagination are the major consideration you should give this project. Evaluation of the final projects will be based on the following:

· Creativity and imagination

· Practicality of solution

· Use of site

· Quality of drawing

THE FOLLOWING IS REQUIRED

The Drawings must include notes which describe the student’s design intents including historic references and use of sustainable design idea and green building materials. The drawings must include individual room sizes and total square footage.

Drawings:

q Site Plan showing site analysis, roof plan of house, sidewalks and parking

q First and Second Floor Plans, dimensioned house at a scale of 1/4" = 1'-0”

q Four Elevations house at a scale of 1/4" = 1'-0”

q Two Building Sections through the house at a scale of 1/4" = 1'-0”