+House

+House is an accessory dwelling unit prototype with a minimal footprint for two, independent occupants. It includes space for sleeping, bathing, food preparation, work, and storage in a mere 360 square feet, with a generous porch that expands the dwelling out and into the exterior. This compact and efficient plan demonstrates one viable strategy to provide new, energy efficient housing in Houston while maintaining the existing urban fabric.

The project will provide much-needed housing for Agape Development’s Gateway Residential Program, a Third Ward outreach program that assists youths 18-25 years of age in the transition from a difficult living situation to healthy, independent adulthood.

Over the course of four semesters, the project provided students the opportunity to research structural and envelope systems, materials and fabrication technology, and renewable energy and resource efficient strategies. Construction began in the spring of 2017, first with fabrication of the core, a 6x10 foot unit that includes the kitchen, bathroom, and MEP systems. Completed in Ryon Lab at Rice, the core was then relocated and stored for the summer. In the fall of 2017, students constructed the envelope on site in southeast Houston, and in December, introduced the core into the house. In 2018, after working to complete interior and exterior finishes, the project was handed over to Agape. In all, Construct spent approximately 70 working days on construction and fabrication, involving the efforts 25 students.

Students: James Carr, Ningxin Cheng, Hillary Davlin, Nell El Souri, Leyla Hepsaydir (2 semesters), Michael Hernandez, JP Jackson, Daniel Kleeschulte (2), Julie Klosterman (4), Yu Kono (2), Keija Lu (2), Xi Luo, Eleanor Ma, Haotian Ma, Edna Otuomagie, Alex Palmer, Jonathan Pan, Rui Qi, John Rudd (3), Shiori Sageshima, Sebastian Torres (2), Claire Wagner, Rose Wilkowski (4), Xiangcheng Xing, Jiaxing Yan

Faculty and Fellows: Danny Samuels and Andrew Colopy, Construct Co-Directors; Jason Fleming, Eric Hester and Roque Sanchez, Construct Fellows; Rose Wilkowski, Construct Research Assistant

Partners: Kirk Craig and Carl Winn, Agape

Consultants: Bradley Doherty and Vladimir Berka, Insight Structures

Supported by Anchor Drilling, Anworth Services Air Conditioning & Heating, Assa Abloy, W.S. Bellows, Cangelosi, Daltile Houston, Diversified Thermal, Dixieply, Ferguson Supply, Floor Zone, James Hardie, Huber Engineered Woods, Icynene, Image Electric, Insight Structural, Aubrey Karr, Kohler, Lesco Lighting, Madden Galvanizing, Marek Brothers, Mission Air Conditioning and Plumbing, Ram Windows, Larry Richmond, RootLab, Roppe Flooring, Schluter Systems, Southern Window Concepts, Stahlman Lumber Company, Valli and Valli

Thanks to Carroll Blue, Ryn and Russell Bowers, Jo and Jim Furr, Jonathan and Nonya Grenader, Royce Hassell, Lonnie Hoogeboom and Betsy Strauch, Joe Meppelink, David Morris, Onezeime Mouton, Emily Stein, Robert and Amy Taylor, Larry Toups, The Susan Vaughan Foundation, Sarah Whiting, Gordon Wittenberg, and Brett Zamore