Say Yes to ADUs! Accessory Dwelling Design Competition

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As part of the implementation of the Plus One Home Program and in partnership with RUPCO and Ulster County, the City of Kingston is hosting an Accessory Dwelling Unit Design Competition. The purpose of the design competition is to raise visibility around the benefits of ADUs as one way to relieve a Countywide housing shortage and to encourage housing variety/affordability. The design competition also aims to inspire the public with tangible examples of freestanding ADU's they could visualize in their neighborhoods. 

**The Design Competition has closed and is no longer accepting entries. Thank you to everyone that submitted designs! The City of Kingston, RUPCO, and Ulster County will be in touch with you soon.**


Eligibility:

  • New-York based teams with New York architectural license (or partnership between a national architect and a New York-based one with a state architecture license) to qualify for Professional category
  • Current student or entrant without a New York architectural license may qualify by entering via the non-professional/student entry 


By participating, you or your team will: 

  • Raise visibility of ADUs as one way to relieve a Countywide housing shortage.
  • Inspire the public with tangible examples of freestanding ADU’s they could visualize in their neighborhoods.

And may receive awards such as:

  • Award of $25,000 to create pre-approved building plans that City of Kingston and Ulster County homeowners can use to construct new attached ADUs

  • $3,000 to best non-professional/student entry. 

  • Publication/promotion with contact information to the architect/design team of qualified submissions. 


To apply:


What are ADUs? Why are they important?

The City of Kingston’s newly established Department of Housing Initiatives is dedicated to supporting sound planning, smart growth, and people-first development—essential building blocks of healthy, stable communities. The City believes that accessory dwelling units have a role to play in expanding housing choice and increasing housing affordability.

Accessory Dwelling Units are small, attached or detached dwellings that share the property of a larger, single-family residence. They have become increasingly popular across the Pacific Northwest and California. Many municipalities have programs to encourage property owners to build accessory dwelling units (e.g., see Oakland and Sacramento). 

Adoption in New York has been much slower and efforts to legalize ADUs at the state level have stalled. Kingston’s and Ulster County’s experience with building new ADUs could spur greater interest in ADUs as a housing option across New York. This program could show that ADUs could help by expanding housing opportunities for vulnerable populations, including low-income families, seniors, and households on fixed incomes.


Competition Evaluation Criteria

  • Sustainability & Resilience: Sustainable/energy efficient, resilient to potential hazards. 
  • Affordability & Cost-Effectiveness: Minimizes expense and promotes affordability.
  • Accessibility & Universal Design: Prioritizes accessibility and inclusivity for diverse populations. 
  • Innovation & Creativity: Demonstrates innovation, creativity, and unique design solutions. 
  • Aesthetics & Contextual Integration: Visually appealing and integrated with surrounding environment. 


Award Categories

Professional Entries

  • Best overall – new detached ADU (professional)

Non-professional/Student Entries

  • Best overall – new detached ADU (non-professional/student entry)



Design Competition Period Begins: Early May, 2023

Yes to ADU! Public Forum & Panel: July 13 @ 6pm (to see a recording of this event see here)

ADU Proposal Submission Deadline: August 15th, 2023

Competition Winners Announced: October, 2023


Help design the future of housing choice and equity in Kingston and Ulster County!



As part of the implementation of the Plus One Home Program and in partnership with RUPCO and Ulster County, the City of Kingston is hosting an Accessory Dwelling Unit Design Competition. The purpose of the design competition is to raise visibility around the benefits of ADUs as one way to relieve a Countywide housing shortage and to encourage housing variety/affordability. The design competition also aims to inspire the public with tangible examples of freestanding ADU's they could visualize in their neighborhoods. 

**The Design Competition has closed and is no longer accepting entries. Thank you to everyone that submitted designs! The City of Kingston, RUPCO, and Ulster County will be in touch with you soon.**


Eligibility:

  • New-York based teams with New York architectural license (or partnership between a national architect and a New York-based one with a state architecture license) to qualify for Professional category
  • Current student or entrant without a New York architectural license may qualify by entering via the non-professional/student entry 


By participating, you or your team will: 

  • Raise visibility of ADUs as one way to relieve a Countywide housing shortage.
  • Inspire the public with tangible examples of freestanding ADU’s they could visualize in their neighborhoods.

And may receive awards such as:

  • Award of $25,000 to create pre-approved building plans that City of Kingston and Ulster County homeowners can use to construct new attached ADUs

  • $3,000 to best non-professional/student entry. 

  • Publication/promotion with contact information to the architect/design team of qualified submissions. 


To apply:


What are ADUs? Why are they important?

The City of Kingston’s newly established Department of Housing Initiatives is dedicated to supporting sound planning, smart growth, and people-first development—essential building blocks of healthy, stable communities. The City believes that accessory dwelling units have a role to play in expanding housing choice and increasing housing affordability.

Accessory Dwelling Units are small, attached or detached dwellings that share the property of a larger, single-family residence. They have become increasingly popular across the Pacific Northwest and California. Many municipalities have programs to encourage property owners to build accessory dwelling units (e.g., see Oakland and Sacramento). 

Adoption in New York has been much slower and efforts to legalize ADUs at the state level have stalled. Kingston’s and Ulster County’s experience with building new ADUs could spur greater interest in ADUs as a housing option across New York. This program could show that ADUs could help by expanding housing opportunities for vulnerable populations, including low-income families, seniors, and households on fixed incomes.


Competition Evaluation Criteria

  • Sustainability & Resilience: Sustainable/energy efficient, resilient to potential hazards. 
  • Affordability & Cost-Effectiveness: Minimizes expense and promotes affordability.
  • Accessibility & Universal Design: Prioritizes accessibility and inclusivity for diverse populations. 
  • Innovation & Creativity: Demonstrates innovation, creativity, and unique design solutions. 
  • Aesthetics & Contextual Integration: Visually appealing and integrated with surrounding environment. 


Award Categories

Professional Entries

  • Best overall – new detached ADU (professional)

Non-professional/Student Entries

  • Best overall – new detached ADU (non-professional/student entry)



Design Competition Period Begins: Early May, 2023

Yes to ADU! Public Forum & Panel: July 13 @ 6pm (to see a recording of this event see here)

ADU Proposal Submission Deadline: August 15th, 2023

Competition Winners Announced: October, 2023


Help design the future of housing choice and equity in Kingston and Ulster County!