Archinect - News

Flatpack homes offer Dutch first-time buyers chance to get on housing ladder

2013-05-13T18:36:00-04:00

Choosing your dream home has become as simple as picking furniture from the Ikea catalogue for residents of Nijmegen in the Netherlands, where a neighbourhood of affordable architect-designed kit houses has just been launched. Aimed at first-time buyers, the city's "I build affordable in Nijmegen" initiative has paired 20 architects with building companies to produce about 30 designs – from detached timber cabins to redbrick terraced houses – with a construction cost of as little as €115,000.

From 8A Architecten, the archtiects, "8A designed houses for first time buyers for the IbbN-program in Nijmegen, The Netherlands. ‘IbbN’ stands for ‘Ik bouw betaalbaar in Nijmegen’, translated in English as ‘I build affordable in Nijmegen’. This is a special program for first time buyers on the housing market who like to build their own house. With this program everyone with an income between € 30.000,- and € 47.000,- a year, gets a chance to build their own house."

More information about the project can be seen here, at it's dedicated website: www.ikbouwbetaalbaarmet8a.nl

Garages to provide 'pop-up' housing for homeless people

2012-11-12T12:04:00-05:00

The Pop-up HAWSE (Homes through Apprenticeships With Skills for Employment) is a proposal to convert disused lock-up garages in London's Hackney into temporary accommodation for homeless people. Conceived by Levitt Bernstein Architects for the Building Trust's Home competition, the scheme would allow an 11.5sq m bedsit to be created within a disused garage for around £13,000.

Brazilian woman sell virginity for $780,000; claims to donate 90% to build homes

2012-10-25T11:45:00-04:00

Although Migliorini, a physical education student, has claimed to media that she planned to donate as much as 90 percent of the auction price to charities that will build homes in the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina, even auction organizer Justin Sisely, who devised the plan for a proposed documentary, was skeptical.

Community Board Spikes Durst’s BIG Pyramid Over Lack of Permanent Affordable Housing, Parking Problems

2012-09-12T14:16:00-04:00

Their singular issue is affordable housing, of which there will be some 150-units. The sticking point is that those apartments will only be reserved for low-income tenants for 35 years. The board wants permanent affordability, instead. “As a community board, we are supposed to do the best we can to preserve and maintain our communities and keep them going,” Mr. Nolan said.

SEEDocs launches with Owe’neh Bupingeh pueblo project

2012-05-18T17:24:00-04:00

SEEDocs launches with the story of the restoration and revitalization of the Owe’neh Bupingeh pueblo in Ohkay Owingeh, New Mexico.

Team: Atkins Olshin Schade Architects, The Ohkay Owingeh Housing Authority

Location: Ohkay Owingeh, New Mexico

Issues Addressed: Cultural Heritage, Historic Preservation, Education, Affordable Housing, Job Training, Community Building, Local Identity

Project Description: Re-creating a more vital Pueblo center and reinvigorating cultural heritage traditions through the rehabilitation of the historic Pueblo core was this project’s focus. The pueblo core is the spiritual, social and cultural center of the Pueblo. Community members were trained in traditional building techniques and played a key role in rebuilding the houses and community spaces. The project also re-appropriated preservation practices and treatment of the Pueblos’ cultural resources from federal guidelines to what is suitable for Ohkay Owingeh.

Using all available means as appropriate?

2012-04-05T16:36:00-04:00

“This is a major win not just for the county but for the nation,” Mr. Astorino, a Republican (ed. and Westchester County executive), said at a news conference. “We took a very principled stand against an unwarranted invasion by HUD and the federal government, and the county won.”

Peter Applebome examines the news, that Westchester is ahead of schedule in building the 750 affordable homes, required under the terms of a far-reaching affordable housing agreement reached in 2009, with HUD and other federal officials. Currently, 206 units have been approved and of those 196 of have financing in place.