AIA Denver Affordable
Housing Challenge

This project sets out clear objectives to increase density by converting existing single-family housing to multi-family housing. It does so in a thoughtful and seamless manner. The project addresses the need for creating smaller units in single family neighborhoods to house single residents and couples. The conversion of a single-family property to a triple-family property, by utilizing existing alleys as the primary access points, is central to the project’s success. The added bulk and modern details referencing the existing Queen Anne building fabric is a sensible approach that expresses modernity while contextualizing with the neighborhood.

A highly original, policy-forward, design-as-zoning proposal that reframes affordability at the scale of the lot, the street, and the historic district. This project is less a building and more a regulatory, cultural, and design framework—one of the most intellectually rigorous submissions in the competition. Rather than proposing new typologies from scratch, the scheme leverages Denver’s existing single-family housing stock, its “latent capacity,” and the city’s strong culture of small contractors. It intelligently merges architectural alterations, backyard infill, lot-splitting, and shared spaces into a new distributed density model. The argument is sharp, strategic, and unusually realistic about local politics, homeowner incentives, and neighborhood character. The architectural resolution is intentionally modest, but the strategy is powerful. Its weaknesses lie in the visual resolution of the architecture and the strength of the renderings. Nonetheless, this is one of the most important and implementable ideas in the competition.

It's a nice idea to incorporate additional dwelling units in existing historic context. Proposed additions may challenging to execute and therefore expensive.

I love that this proposal is very context sensitive, addresses historic neighborhoods specifically where change is seen as impossible and that it incorporates a proposed ownership model.

Thoughtful project for utilizing existing SF zoning to increase density.

A distinctly Denver, forward-looking approach that honors historic craftsmanship and establishes a clear framework for small-scale development.

The project is incremental through one lens and really quite radical through another. I like that it really takes on the issue of labor and capacity, much more so than most of its peer entries. It makes the proposition that the multi-billion dollar remodelling industry can be put to work building multi-unit developments and that this effort could be homeowner-driven, with outcomes shaped by real living needs rather than speculative development.

A thoughtful, well-resolved proposal that reimagines the single-family lot with care. The courtyard massing fosters community while staying compatible with its neighborhood, supported by clear sustainability strategies and strong small-footprint livability. Its limitation is scale: it delivers an excellent architectural solution but offers less in terms of policy, financial, or replicable frameworks to address Denver’s broader crisis. Affordability is implied but not defined. Still, it’s a compelling gentle-density infill project with strong design clarity and community focus.

This project gets high marks for sustainability. The glulam and CLT are nice use of material to create long span for open spaces. It also affords for prefabrication and building efficiency. The metal roof and cement fiberboard are good choices for fire resistance. The passive strategies for cooling, photovoltaics, water management for irrigation, and plantings contribute to a thoughtful sustainable approach. The plantings at grade and terrace add to biodiversity while water mitigation adds to flood resilience. A detail, but needs mentioning, is the effectiveness of the shading device on a building’s north side.

Really great submission with a lot of sustainable features. I appreciated that the design considered renewables, rainwater collection and low-water vegetation and also incorporated continuous insulation with CLT construction. This type of design is attentive to the local Denver climate. The only item I would consider adjusting is more roof overhang for shading in the summer. I also appreciated the balance of common space to share while also offering some privacy for the different units. This offers a good balance of collective and personal ownership.

This project fits nicely to the scale of the existing context, while at the same time is new and innovative. Creating six residences out of what are two existing residences creates greater efficiency and addresses the need for housing. Separate entries give a sense of individuality and privacy. Each unit has their own outdoor space. It is a bit unfortunate that the largest unit shares a terrace and has the smallest outdoor space. I would have thought with the large front and rear yards there could have been some solution to create a third private outdoor space. Even with areas for improvement, this project is extremely well done.

I really like how this project proposes modular approach to missing middle housing. I appreciate the elegant proportions and materiality that is sensitive to Denver context of historic neighborhoods. I have a little concern about how the shared outdoor spaces will be addressed in fee-simple ownership structure that is preferred, because of maintenance responsibilities.

The climate-friendly reimagined cottage housing type. I like the use of passive house principles and water conservation.

The village concept counters traditional development models that separate communities by need. Communal gardens between units build social resilience, while patios, screens, and native landscaping offer opportunities for personalization and privacy. Drawing on familiar patterns and textures, the approach integrates seamlessly into any Denver neighborhood.

Re-Frame appears familiar and unassuming in its scale and form but is in fact an ingenious realisation of a six-plex of two-and-three bedroom homes, totalling almost 6,000 square feet of space, on a typical single-family lot. The proposal manages to achieve an impressive amount within its limited boundaries, including an inviting massing and scale, convincing shared and individual outdoor spaces, adequate parking and logical circulation to each unit. There seemed to be a general fetishising of CLT amongst the entries as a construction methodology that would offer cost economies. This was one of them. This proposal would almost certainly be more affordable as a conventional stick frame system, and its layout and spans would lend itself well to being realised in this way. Overall a beautifully realised prototype for integrating sixplexes into single family neighborhoods in Denver and beyond.

Alley Town La Alma addresses the potential of the alley-facing ADU typology but achieves a higher level of innovation compared to its peer entries. It does this by demonstrating the affordability gains that could be achieved by modestly adjusting the zoning codes that regulate ADUs to allow for a rowhome typology. The big idea is communicated strongly through all the diagrams, text and 3d views. In addition to demonstrating what could be gained by addressing zoning regulations such as setbacks and maximum floor area, the proposal is compelling in its arguments for affordability through preservation of existing homes, policy tools such as permit ready plans and use of the IRC rather than IBC. The actual building designs as shown in the 3d views was less inspiring than the diagrammatic content but overall the proposal should be recognised for its critical and innovative framework.

The scheme proposes smart revisions to Denver’s zoning code.

I love this concept. Great understanding of existing community and history. Excellent use of space. Since ADUs house family members (not just renters), this is great for intergenerational housing. There were several ADU projects but the design of this one allowed for more engagement between neighbors. Looked like a neighborhood vs an ADU in someone's backyard.

Very grounded in reality. Great approach to equity and avoiding displacement. The project is thought out from a large scale (placemaking) to a minute scale (wall assembly). Sustainability is not pushed very far.

I really like this proposal. I like the idea of utilizing the alley. I also really appreciate the mix of unit types and modular approach to urban infill. I have some concerns about how these units will fit in a historic context of the neighborhood. Both the community and the Landmark Commission may find the building forms to be inconsistent with the historic context and scale.

A standout proposal that transforms Denver’s alleys into a powerful, incremental housing network rooted in cultural preservation and anti-displacement. By introducing a new alley-oriented housing form, the project delivers density without demolition and respects the historic character of La Alma’s Chicano community. The strategy is highly feasible, deeply contextual, and adaptable across the city. Its only limitation is the modest architectural experimentation, but the urban and social clarity more than make up for it. A precise, community-grounded model with real potential for implementation.

Interesting concept. The practical aspect of assembling and dis-assembling of the building blocks may be challenging.

I really appreciate the emphasis on utilizing the sparse amount of land Denver has available. I like the idea of modules can be added in perpetuity. No information on sustainability.

This is one of the most ambitious, conceptually rich, and fully thought-through entries in the pool. It stands out for its clarity of idea (incremental modular housing as urban repair), its sophisticated graphic language, its systemic thinking, and its integration of urban, architectural, and socioeconomic reasoning. The proposal tackles affordability, adaptability, and climate resilience in a coherent way. The scheme feels speculative but grounded, and its representation—particularly the axonometric masterplan and section—is exceptional. Its weaknesses: the architectural expression can read as visually repetitive; feasibility of the elevated walkways and extensive modular bridges requires more rigorous structural and financial justification. But in terms of originality, systems thinking, and rigor, this is a top-tier submission.

I feel like this design is very flexible but it gets lost without a coherent story. Also, it lacks character that other designs did well. It feels like just putting housing and amenities on the ground versus creating a home.