Contest for innovative social housing proposals held in Costa Rica

San José, February 21, 2017. -  Yesterday, the winners of the Contest for the Preliminary Design of Social Housing Projects were announced. 28 teams composed of professional members of the Federated College of Engineers and Architects (CFIA) and engineering and architecture students participated in the contest, which involved designing housing solutions for the beneficiary families of the National Housing Financial System.

The contest, which is an initiative of the CFIA and the Ministry of Housing and Human Settlements (MIVAH), is sponsored by the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI). As a result of the contest call, 20 preliminary projects were received for the single-family one story house category and 8 were received for the two-family two story house category.

The preliminary projects were evaluated based on such elements as innovative and sustainable design, climate adaptation, sociocultural relevance, aesthetics and reasonable cost.

The Costa Rican Minister of Housing and Human Settlements, Mr. Rosendo Pujol, stated that, "The Ministry has always encouraged and supported the development of innovative housing projects, not only with regard to design but also with respect to the use of new construction materials that prevent waste and environmental impact. The contest was an excellent opportunity to showcase the talent and creativity of Costa Rican professionals, who presented new design alternatives for social and middle-class housing."

During the press conference, CABEI Country Manager for Costa Rica, Mr. Mauricio Chacón Romero, explained that, "In the framework of the CABEI 2015-2019 Institutional Strategy ‘Integrating Sustainable Development and Competitiveness,’ the Bank seeks to promote initiatives that facilitate and promote the balanced economic and social development in the region’s countries. The housing sector is one of the fundamental pillars for achieving this sought-after regional balance. CABEI has contributed significantly to the sector’s development through the Central American Housing and Sustainable Habitat Development Program (VIDHAS Costa Rica) and the Social Housing Intermediation Program; these projects have benefitted approximately 954 households during their execution periods."

CFIA President, Mr. Abel Castro, stated that, "For CFIA, which is the technical reference entity for the solution of national problems, its members and the country’s engineering and architecture students,  it is of utmost importance to be involved in the process of improving regional quality of life."

Below is the breakdown of the winning teams in both categories:
First Place     Team: Grupo  Interactivarq
Project:   Casa Integra
Area:            46 m²    Team:         AV + ARVIVÉCO
Project:    MHIS
Area:              87 m²
Second Place    Team:       Estudio BCA
Project:  Piel
Area:            40 m²    Team:         Disviss CR
Project:    Epífita
Area:              104 m²
Third Place    Team:         Grupo Innova
Project:    ProHab
Area:              39 m²    Team:         Grupo SGS
Project:    Ave del Paraíso
Area:              96 m²
Honorable Mention    Team:       NHC (Nuevo Horizonte Cabécar)
Project:  kAWÖ DAKÁN CABECAR-Nuevo Horizonte Cabécar
Area:            105 m²    Team:       Malanga Arquitectura e Ingeniería
Project:  Soluciones Habitacionales para Zona Tropical Húmeda
Area:            108 m²