"We yearn to be closer to nature and experience its beauty, while we are being increasingly brutalized by its harshest elements."

The year 2020 was officially the most active Atlantic hurricane season on record. 

Since 1950 the National Hurricane Association has assigned names to each qualifying storm beginning with the letter A and working towards the end of the alphabet. Tropical Storm Arthur began the Atlantic hurricane season in May 2020 and five months later the alphabetical naming system had been exhausted with the formation of Tropical Storm Wilfred. 2020 is only the second year where the Greek alphabet has been required to supplement additional storm names. 

Both literally and figuratively, humanity resides in the midst of two distinct trends. While we yearn to be closer to nature and experience her beauty, we are being increasingly brutalized by her harshest elements. We watch as the changing climate brings natural calamity and damage to a larger group of people and a wider swath of geography. We watch the increasing frequency and strength of nature wreaking havoc among our communities. We watch as those who lose their homes to hurricanes and natural disasters rebuild and hope that when the next storm comes, it will not be their home that is once again destroyed.

Challenge

arch out loud challenges participants to design the hurricane resilient home of the future. 

Category five hurricane winds commonly reach speeds between 160 and 190 miles per hour, causing widespread destruction in a matter of seconds. Yet with the implementation of fundamental engineering and principles in design techniques, coastal residential structures that implement structural shells have proven the ability to withstand the strongest storms. 

This relationship between form and function isn’t new. However, how might we harness this relationship to create a better living environment, one that is both protective and unique? How might designing within the form of a proven hurricane-resilient structural shell provide new opportunities within the creative process and a new perspective for how residents might live in coastal environments?

Select your shell

Proven techniques for constructing hurricane resistant homes have been in practice for decades. Circular designs assure that hurricane strength winds do not build up enough pressure on any side of a home to cause catastrophic structural failures. Radial support systems work in unison, reducing weak points. Superior prefabricated parts outperform construction materials that are commonly used in on-site assembly. 

How do you design within a dynamic structurally proven system while providing an inviting coastal living opportunity? SHELTER provides designers the opportunity to explore emerging cultural trends. 

Participants may select one of the three unique structural shells below to design within. Upon registration you will receive the digital models for all three shells.

MINIMAL HOME |  750 sq. ft.

VERTICAL HOME | 2250 sq. ft.

EXTENDED HOME |  2700 sq. ft.

Awards

Overall Excellence Award

Sponsored by Deltec Homes

$5,000 

Certificate + Press Publication

Minimal Home Award

$1,000 

Certificate + Press Publication

Vertical Home Award

$1,000 

Certificate + Press Publication

Extended Home Award

$1,000 

Certificate + Press Publication

10 Honorable Mention Awards

Certificate + Press Publication

Director’s Choice Awards

Certificate + Press Publication

Award Package: $8,000

Jury

Mark Gardner- Principal | Jaklitsch/Gardner

Bill Hanley- Editor-in-Chief | Dwell Magazine

Garett Hwang- Director | UN Studio

Moon Hoon- Founder & Principal | Moon Hoon

Angie Lee- Partner | FX Collaborative

Steve Linton- President | Deltec Homes

Georgeen Theodore- Founder, Principal  |  Interboro Partners

Lois Weinthal- Chair and Professor  |  Ryerson School of Interior Design

Outlook

As coastal storms grow even more powerful, we continually see an expansion of communities living within their path. The very environment that provides such a desirable lifestyle also creates increasing dangers. This positions architects, engineers, and problem solvers to study our existing single family home structures, the evolution of building techniques, and the role that design can play in creating the future resilient home.

arch out loud has partnered with Deltec Homes in the SHELTER exploration. Deltec Homes is a certified Benefit Corporation that has continuously pushed the limits of resilient coastal homes for over 50 years. Deltec has developed a panelized structural shell system that has outperformed other hurricane oriented structures in the midst of some of the most destructive storms on record.

Deltec is focused on innovation and advancement with a mission to lead cutting edge solutions for coastal living. How will your designs help shape the hurricane home of the future?

Schedule

Competition Release: December 18

Advanced Entry Ends: January 26      

Early Entry Ends: March 2           

Regular Entry Ends: April 2  

Submission Deadline: April 3

Results Announced: April 2021

Download the competition brief here. 

Top image courtesy of arch out loud

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