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GreenHouse
Students: Paige Frost and Olga Sobkiv;
Professor: Jesus Vassallo Rice University
“Part of its intelligence is that it is
replicable, that you could imagine
this happening on many infill sites of
varying sizes. … The plan is kept very
simple, but the section keeps varying,
so already there’s a range of house
sizes implied. It’s a housing proposition,
but in some ways it’s also an urban
proposition.”
— Valerie Chang Greer, AIA
52 Texas Architect
9/10 2024
This project reimagines affordable housing by
harnessing Houston9s rainy weather and pairing
it with a design emphasizing light-olled interiors.
At its core is a roof designed for rainwater collection using an inverted scissor truss as the main
structural support and directing water into aboveground tanks. Grid trellises attached to the walls
allow climber plants to grow and serve as privacy
shields and green insulation. A simple irrigation
system channels collected rainwater to the green
walls for continuous watering even in extreme heat.
A polycarbonate panel creates uninterrupted clerestory lighting, making the interior of these 450-sf
units feel spacious and inviting. Units are distinguished by green vinyl siding in varying shades to
promote a sense of individuality within a cohesive
community.
