Published on January 30, 2024
The City of Tucson Casita Model Plan Design Competition, made possible with an AARP 2023 Community Challenge grant and held in partnership the American Institute of Architects (AIA), has been selected as a finalist in the Arizona Forward Environmental Excellence Awards.
Goals of the selected Casita Model Plan Design Competition project were to:
The call for designs, issued in August 2023, received tremendous response – 63 submissions from 46 designers. A jury representing a range of expertise including design, affordable housing development, construction, and planning, reviewed all submissions and selected the 10 winning designs that best met the design criteria of Accessibility and Universal Design; Innovative Construction / Design; Aesthetics and Contextual Integration; and Sustainability, Energy, and Water Efficiency. Three designs were also selected for the “People’s Choice” award through an online public vote which had over 1400 votes cast.
The selected designs and other submissions will be featured in the recently launched Casita Model Plan Library. The Model Plan Library will enhance the livability of our community by promoting housing options for all ages, incomes, and abilities while advancing sustainability.
Arizona Forward will host a Gala at the JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa to celebrate the finalists and announce the award winners on March 23, 2024.
For more information related to the Casita Model Plan Design Competition or the Casita Model Plan Library please visit the Casitas in Tucson webpage.