This June 6-7, Andres Duany and several other DPZers participated in the Innovative Housing Showcase on the National Mall, managed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Policy Development and Research (PD&R).
“The Showcase is a public event to raise awareness of innovative and affordable housing designs and technologies that have the potential to increase housing supply, lower the cost of construction, increase energy efficiency and resilience, and reduce housing expenses for owners and renters. This is the fourth year of the Innovative Housing Showcase.”
DPZ partnered with New Amherst Homes, 21st Century Home, and the No-Nonsense Housing Company to design and build model units for “The Bento” and “The C.I.E.R.S. House”.
The Bento is THE Tiny House designed for urban living. It meets the requirements of the Residential Building Code, and is certified by the U.S. Department of Motor Vehicles — valid in all states. It may be towed without a specialized license and parked in any parking lot.
The C.I.E.R.S. House is a versatile and functional Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) that maximizes space without compromising comfort or style. Offering a charming two-story living space, it employs a structural log framing for easy transportation to site locations and assembly within confined yards.
Afterward, Michael Blanford, of HUD’s Office of Policy Development and Research, wrote, “your homes were the most visited during this year’s Showcase and, perhaps, the most visited exhibit HUD has ever had.”
DPZ was honored to participate in such a successful event, and we carry the hopes that we can take everything we learned with us as we continue to design successful, affordable homes.
You can learn more about the showcase and its full programming here.
