ADU | HOU

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The Winning Design is Available for Use by Homeowners!

Download the Double-House design set for free. Property owners may use the set to build ADUs where deed restrictions allow. These architectural sheets have gone through preliminary review by Houston Public Works but will still need additional steps. Additional items include, but are not limited to, submitting plans for review, obtaining required permits, developing a site plan, paying applicable permitting fees, and scheduling periodic inspections. Additional design work may differ based on site specific conditions. All submissions must abide by current codes and ordinances. You may need to consult with an architect, engineer and/or developer to complete the process.

To learn more about the permitting process, visit https://www.houstonpermittingcenter.org/ or call 832.394.9000.


Awards

2 Best Practices Gold Award from APA Texas Chapter and APA Texas Houston Section

ADU | HOU Design Book

The Planning and Development Department has published a free, online book of Accessory Dwelling Unit designs submitted by contestants to the ADU|HOU Design Competition.

Touted as, “a practical and creative collection of small homes with big possibilities,” the PDF book features 26 schematic Accessory Dwelling Unit designs from aspiring architecture students and architecture firms from Houston and around the country. You can also order a physical copy of the book.

Inside the book you will find imaginative interpretations of Accessory Dwelling Units in a variety of styles, sizes and construction materials with flexibility to complement and fit within single-family lots. The designs range from single and two-story detached units, garage apartments, ADUs that use shipping containers and more. Many of the submissions were designed with resilience, sustainability and affordability as a guiding principle and inspiration.

Funded by a 2021 AARP Community Challenge grant, the Accessory Dwelling Unit book, the ADU |HOU Design competition and ADU workshops are related to ongoing discussions of the Livable Places Action Committee, which is creating opportunities within Houston’s development standards that encourage housing variety and affordability.



Rice Architecture Students Win ADU|HOU Design Competition

The Planning and Development Department’s recent ADU|HOU Design Competition received enthusiastic response from architects and design professionals, and has garnered about 30 submissions of Accessory Dwelling Unit schematic designs and concepts. After receiving nearly 400 online votes, we have a winner.

Congratulations to the Rice Architecture team!

For the full press release, information on the winning design, the category winners, and images of all accepted designs, visit the design competition page.

WORKSHOPS

The City of Houston Planning & Development Department is hosting a mini-series of free virtual workshops focused on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). These workshops are funded by a 2021 Community Challenge Grant from AARP.

ADUs, also referred to as garage apartments, mother-in-law cottages and granny flats, are above the garage or detached, free-standing units on single-family lots. ADUs provide another housing choice for Houstonians in neighborhoods where deed restrictions allow and can be great solutions allowing people to age in place or provide housing for caregivers, young couples and empty nesters.


Past Workshop 1 - Benefits and Basics - August 26, 2021

This free workshop featured Kol Peterson, author of “Backdoor Revolution: The Definitive Guide to ADU Development” and renowned accessory dwelling unit advocate, teacher, and developer. This workshop is perfect for a homeowner considering whether to build an ADU.

Watch the Benefits and Basics Workshop video.


Past Workshop 2: How to ADU | HOU - September 28, 2021

Learn the Steps to Build an ADU

The second workshop goes more in depth into the steps necessary to build an ADU. Speakers from Rice University, City of Houston Public Works Department and ADU builders and developers speak on design principles, selecting an architect, how to walk through the permitting process, as well as respond to questions asked at Workshop 1 - Benefits and Basics.


Workshop 3 - Costs and Financing - October 26, 2021

The third workshop discusses costs and financing ADUs. In this workshop, speakers discuss various types of financing options that are available, financing institutions explain products, Harris County Appraisal District discuss valuations, and Houston's Financial Empowerment Center explains free City services to help you save money.



LIVABLE PLACES

The Livable Places initiative is a continuation of the Planning Department’s effort to update portions of Houston’s development codes to enhance walkability, affordability, and equity.

The Winning Design is Available for Use by Homeowners!

Download the Double-House design set for free. Property owners may use the set to build ADUs where deed restrictions allow. These architectural sheets have gone through preliminary review by Houston Public Works but will still need additional steps. Additional items include, but are not limited to, submitting plans for review, obtaining required permits, developing a site plan, paying applicable permitting fees, and scheduling periodic inspections. Additional design work may differ based on site specific conditions. All submissions must abide by current codes and ordinances. You may need to consult with an architect, engineer and/or developer to complete the process.

To learn more about the permitting process, visit https://www.houstonpermittingcenter.org/ or call 832.394.9000.


Awards

2 Best Practices Gold Award from APA Texas Chapter and APA Texas Houston Section

ADU | HOU Design Book

The Planning and Development Department has published a free, online book of Accessory Dwelling Unit designs submitted by contestants to the ADU|HOU Design Competition.

Touted as, “a practical and creative collection of small homes with big possibilities,” the PDF book features 26 schematic Accessory Dwelling Unit designs from aspiring architecture students and architecture firms from Houston and around the country. You can also order a physical copy of the book.

Inside the book you will find imaginative interpretations of Accessory Dwelling Units in a variety of styles, sizes and construction materials with flexibility to complement and fit within single-family lots. The designs range from single and two-story detached units, garage apartments, ADUs that use shipping containers and more. Many of the submissions were designed with resilience, sustainability and affordability as a guiding principle and inspiration.

Funded by a 2021 AARP Community Challenge grant, the Accessory Dwelling Unit book, the ADU |HOU Design competition and ADU workshops are related to ongoing discussions of the Livable Places Action Committee, which is creating opportunities within Houston’s development standards that encourage housing variety and affordability.



Rice Architecture Students Win ADU|HOU Design Competition

The Planning and Development Department’s recent ADU|HOU Design Competition received enthusiastic response from architects and design professionals, and has garnered about 30 submissions of Accessory Dwelling Unit schematic designs and concepts. After receiving nearly 400 online votes, we have a winner.

Congratulations to the Rice Architecture team!

For the full press release, information on the winning design, the category winners, and images of all accepted designs, visit the design competition page.

WORKSHOPS

The City of Houston Planning & Development Department is hosting a mini-series of free virtual workshops focused on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). These workshops are funded by a 2021 Community Challenge Grant from AARP.

ADUs, also referred to as garage apartments, mother-in-law cottages and granny flats, are above the garage or detached, free-standing units on single-family lots. ADUs provide another housing choice for Houstonians in neighborhoods where deed restrictions allow and can be great solutions allowing people to age in place or provide housing for caregivers, young couples and empty nesters.


Past Workshop 1 - Benefits and Basics - August 26, 2021

This free workshop featured Kol Peterson, author of “Backdoor Revolution: The Definitive Guide to ADU Development” and renowned accessory dwelling unit advocate, teacher, and developer. This workshop is perfect for a homeowner considering whether to build an ADU.

Watch the Benefits and Basics Workshop video.


Past Workshop 2: How to ADU | HOU - September 28, 2021

Learn the Steps to Build an ADU

The second workshop goes more in depth into the steps necessary to build an ADU. Speakers from Rice University, City of Houston Public Works Department and ADU builders and developers speak on design principles, selecting an architect, how to walk through the permitting process, as well as respond to questions asked at Workshop 1 - Benefits and Basics.


Workshop 3 - Costs and Financing - October 26, 2021

The third workshop discusses costs and financing ADUs. In this workshop, speakers discuss various types of financing options that are available, financing institutions explain products, Harris County Appraisal District discuss valuations, and Houston's Financial Empowerment Center explains free City services to help you save money.



LIVABLE PLACES

The Livable Places initiative is a continuation of the Planning Department’s effort to update portions of Houston’s development codes to enhance walkability, affordability, and equity.

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Page last updated: 23 Feb 2024, 06:40 AM