The countdown has begun to the deadline for this year’s Self Build on a Shoestring competition. The 2015 ideas competition is looking for designs for an innovative ‘self build’ starter home that can be constructed for less than £40,000 – and there’s a £5,000 prize for the most cost-effective, eco conscious and good-looking scheme.
The home has to have one bedroom, a living room, kitchen and bathroom, and be capable of being easily expanded as the family grows. Later on, it could grow again to provide a multi-generational home, or contract as the family downsizes, or even be split into two. The competition will require the design to meet current UK Building Regulations. And all entrants will have to include a detailed cost report that itemises the materials used and their cost.
The first two ‘Self Build on a Shoestring’ competitions attracted lots of entries and the team behind last year’s winning entry – a collaboration between architect Levitt Bernstein, housing provider Circle Housing and self build community group Naked House – is currently evaluating a number of potential sites in London to build it on. Levitt Bernstein’s Barry McCullough said: “It was great to be part of last year’s competition and our winning team continues to look for sites and develop similar customisable and affordable homes. Self build and custom build is an increasingly important sector given the lack of affordable housing for sale and rent in the UK.”
A number of houses based on the 2013 winning design have also secured planning permission in Scotland and Wales.
The timeframe for the competition will give entrants until 18th September to submit their designs, with the winners being revealed at the Grand Designs Live exhibition at the NEC in early October.
Full details, together with this year’s Competition Brief, are available on the Self Build on a Shoestring homepage.
