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1973 West Gray St Ste 13
Houston, TX 77019

713.529.9933

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© Murphy Mears Architects 2022

99k House

Entry for the Rice Design Alliance 99k House Competition | Houston, TX | 2007

Selected as a Finalist among 182 entries.

Butterfly roof structure for rainwater collection with extended sloped section for solar panel array.

This 1,370 sq-ft two-story home features an open first floor plan and three bedrooms with two baths on the second floor. The house fits easily on a 33′ x 90′ lot, allowing vehicular access to the rear of the property. An entry porch provides a buffer between first floor living spaces and the street, while offering a welcoming arrival space for guests. The asphalt shingle roof is oriented to accept photovoltaic panels across the 30-degree slope of the North end. Rain water is channeled to a single downspout for collection in a cistern. As a prototype, the small footprint of the two-story house allows an owner the flexibility of placing it on a typical 50′ x 100′ lot in such a way that a second residence or structure can be easily added in the future.

Exterior walls are constructed of modular, steel-reinforced, autoclaved aerated concrete block, or AAC. This material has been used extensively around the world, and now increasingly in the United States for residential and commercial construction. Advantages of AAC block compared to wood-frame construction are its strength, durability, fire resistance, termite resistance, sound insulation and thermal insulation. The typical wood-frame wall assembly with many layered components such as wood studs, plywood sheathing, sheet moisture barrier, adhesive backed flashing, and batt or spray-foam insulation can be eliminated entirely.

The house responds to the traditional forms of the neighborhood while offering new solutions to the global challenges of sustainability.

Open first floor plan within the AAC block structure.

Second floor bedrooms separated by affordable wood partitions within the AAC block structure.

Wood model of AAC block house with rainwater-collecting butterfly roof.

Street view of home with front porch connection to neighborhood.

Section through open living-dining-kitchen on 1st floor with bedrooms above.

Section through stair showing efficient integration of mechanical and plumbing services on wet-wall of residence.