What Is Affordable Green Housing? Analysis of a Competition

Abstract

The range and invention of architects' proposals for more ‘sustainable’ modes of medium-density urban housing can be seen in entries to a design competition for ‘affordable green housing’. The paper examines the attitudes and judgments about design that they represent, and how the winning entry has been modified for construction. An appendix provides a list of features claimed to promote the ‘sustainability’ of entries. The results present a picture of current thinking on the nature of affordable green housing, and provide a useful comparison for architects approaching their own projects and competition entries.