Civic Commons 2026 Townhouse Design Competition
Design the future of affordable homeownership in Washington.
Submit your floor plans for The WA Starter Home Plan Townhouse Design Competition by May 22.
For more information, please see the Full Competition Rules, the Official Responses from our Q&A briefing & the Q&A Slide Deck.
The magnitude of the affordable housing crisis in Washington state is universally comprehended. More and more low- and moderate-income households are finding it impossible to purchase a home. In response, the Washington State Legislature adopted policies and passed groundbreaking legislation that ultimately produced more mortgage-ready households. The increased demand intensified existing concerns about the state’s inadequate supply of quality, affordable for-sale starter homes. Through state funding, the Comprehensive and Scalable Starter Home Production Plan and two implementation guides, the Ecosystem Playbook and the Demonstration Program Playbook, were created. All are available for download at civiccommons.org/starterhomeplanwa. Action 1 of the Demonstration Program Playbook calls for creation of standardized plans that can be pre-approved for use in jurisdictions across the state.
The WA Starter Home Plan Townhouse Design Competition is an ideas competition, but its purpose is to generate usable floor plans that will expedite and increase the production of affordable starter homes. While the homes could be site-built, this competition is intentionally focused on volumetric modular for permitting and manufacturing purposes. While floor plans designed for volumetric modular construction can be panelized or site-built in the future, the converse is not necessarily true.
Eligibility:
Competition is open to any and all – architects, building designers, students, manufacturers, and construction companies.
Floor plans and designs that have been previously built may be submitted.
Multiple submissions from one entity are also welcome.
Submissions must not include any logos or any names of the individuals or companies submitting.
Winners agree to work with competition organizers to further develop their design to permit submittal level (see “Judging + Recognition” for more details).
Learn more: