ReSpace Competition Blends Design with Reuse

Earlier this year, Habitat for Humanity of Wake County, AIA of the Triangle and Architecture for Humanity: Raleigh launched the ReSpace design competition in an effort to raise awareness of what recycled and reused building materials can do. The challenge? Design a small, unique and transportable structure with reused materials at the core, from concept to construction.

The grand prize winner’s design will be constructed in a 48-hour build-a-thon in January, overseen by Habitat for Humanity of Wake County – which serves Raleigh, NC and surrounding neighborhoods. The final ReSpace structure will stand in the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Raleigh for several weeks before being sold to benefit Habitat for Humanity of Wake County.

By the submission deadline in August, 67 designers from nine countries and five U.S. states answered the call – submitting innovative design layouts for dwellings, studios and gathering spaces made from reclaimed materials. Four honorable mentions, four award finalists and one grand prize winner were announced at SPARKcon on Friday. So, let’s take a closer look at their cutting-edge designs and see just how far reused materials can truly go.

Homepage Image: Courtesy of Habitat for Humanity of Wake County

Urban Farm & Market (Honorable Mention)

Photo courtesy of Habitat for Humanity of Wake County

Entered by Ben Greene, Gregory Hayter and Tyler Nethers of The Farmery in Raleigh, NC, this innovative design aims to break down barriers that separate city-dwellers from their food.



Measuring 20 feet long, 8 feet wide and 8.5 feet tall, this mini market boasts a rainwater harvesting system, sunflower roof and plenty of space to sell locally-grown produce.



But this unique structure isn’t just for buying, it’s for growing, too. Locals can cultivate herbs, lettuce, greens and strawberries in living walls made from shipping pallets, clean locally-grown mushrooms in a mushroom shower and raise chickens in a ventilated chicken coop.



An aquaponic system allows operators to raise and harvest tilapia in a bathtub in the rear of the market, which is filled by water collected through rainwater harvesting.



And, of course, the designers didn’t forget about style. The interior includes chandeliers made from Mason jars and CFL light bulbs, and the exterior is painted baby blue, because “green is so 2008.”



To get a closer look at the design, head to Respace.org.