House Design Contest Slated For Architects

House Design Contest Slated For Architects

State Society Sponsors Competition To Promote Better Small-Home Plans

A small-home design contest for state architects was announced today by Ralph W. Hammett, Universlty professor of architecture and first vice-president of the sponsoring Michigan Society of Architects. Prof. Hammett is directing the competition.

Howard T. Keating, real estate developer of Birmingham, near Detroit, is providing a fund of $1,400 to be split between the top three home designers on a $750-$400-$250 basis, Prof. Hammett said.

"We want something new,” the Ann Arbor architect explained, in disclosing requirements of the contest. The competition is planned for the purpose of stimulating the trend toward better-designed houses in the medium-sized class.

The contest calls for a house of not more than 1,400 square feet in area, with three bedrooms and a two-car garage, intended for owners whose annual incomes are between $8,000 and $12,000.

There are no restrictions on the construction or styling, other than those which specify a pitched root rather than a flat one and garage doors that are not placed facing the street. The sponsor emphasizes that the homes should be suitable for suburban living.

Some 500 members of the state society, whose places of business are within the borders of Michigan, are eligible to compete. Architects must file intentions to enter with the society’s executive secretary, Talmage C. Hughes, 120 Madison Ave., Detroit 26.

The competition closes on Feb. 11, 1952. A five-man jury, to be named later, will judge the designs submitted in time for their display at the society's 38th annual convention in Detroit March 5 to 8. Awards will be made at the Michigan Building Industry banquet; a highlight of the conference, March. Winning designs will then be published.