A House for Under $20,000

A $16,000 budget (in 1968) led to this design that won a First Honor Award in the "Homes for Better Living" competition, sponsored by the American Institute of Architects. Built on "unbuildable" flood land, the house was required to be only 16 feet wide. It is built on piers to accomodate the biannual flooding of a nearby creek. The interior wood is left natural, and finishing costs were saved by carpeting the 3/4" plywood floors with inexpensive nylon. It is a small, but elegant house, and is an excellent demonstration that good architecture is not merely a sport for the wealthy.