GreenHouse
Students: Paige Frost and Olga Sobkiv
Professor: Jesus Vassallo
Rice University
“Part of its intelligence is that it is replicable, that you could imagine this happening on many infill sites of varying sizes. … The plan is kept very simple, but the section keeps varying, so already there’s a range of house sizes implied. It’s a housing proposition, but in some ways it’s also an urban proposition.”
— Valerie Chang Greer, AIA
This project reimagines affordable housing by harnessing Houston’s rainy weather and pairing it with a design emphasizing light-filled interiors. At its core is a roof designed for rainwater collection using an inverted scissor truss as the main structural support and directing water into above-ground tanks. Grid trellises attached to the walls allow climber plants to grow and serve as privacy shields and green insulation. A simple irrigation system channels collected rainwater to the green walls for continuous watering even in extreme heat. A polycarbonate panel creates uninterrupted clerestory lighting, making the interior of these 450-sf units feel spacious and inviting. Units are distinguished by green vinyl siding in varying shades to promote a sense of individuality within a cohesive community.