Below is a list of frequently asked questions posed by competition entrants to date. Please review them to verify if it provides the information you are inquiring. If your question has not been addressed, please send additional questions to info@attainableli.com. Thank you.

1. There are some inconsistencies between the attainableli.com site the openarchitecturenetwork.org site, which one is correct?

Info on the openarchitecturenetwork.org site should be used.

2. When figuring out the budget can we take into account that the project will be built with volunteer labor or does this need to be priced as standard construction?

Volunteer labor should not be considered. When preparing the cost estimate use prevailing wage rates. In order to show the home is affordable it should be replicable in a variety of sites for a comparable amount.

3. The deadline for entries is listed differently in two different places, which is correct?

The deadline for design submittal entries is no later than 11:59pm on June 17, 2011

4. Is a garage part of the required square footage?

The square foot range give is for conditioned space, a garage is not part of the required project program, however if one is proposed it is recommended it be detached and not part of conditioned space.

5. I don’t have a NYS License but I do have NCARB Certification, is this sufficient to enroll under the "Professional" category?

While the competition requirement states a NYS Professional License is required to enroll in the "Professional" category we will allow those with valid NCARB Certification to enter under this category with the understanding that the proper licensure will be required should your design be selected as the winning design.

6. Are the drawings submitted for the competition to be Construction Drawings?

No. Drawings submitted for the competition should be design drawings, construction drawings are only required for the winning design to secure permits, etc.

7. Are structural calculations and other items required in entry documents?

Only design drawings and other items listed under the "Submittal Documents" portion of the website are required.

8. is a plumbing riser diagram required as part of the submittal documents?

While a plumbing riser diagram is not require you may include one if it helps to communicate design intent for plumbing strategies.

9. I do not live in the US can I still enter the competition?

Yes, the competition is open to all regardless of location, however, all submittal documents are to be in English.

10. I’m enrolling as a student can I still win the grand prize and have my design built.

No, the winning design in the "Professional" category is awarded the grand prize and is the design that will be built. However, all entry categories are eligible for awards, please see the "Awards" section on the website for additional information.

11. I’m a student but don’t have a faculty advisor assisting, can I still enter?

Yes, while we encourage working with a faculty advisor or a professional it is not required.

12: What are the exact 5 plans required (i.e.; floor plan, elevation, section, etc.)?

There is not a limit or required number of drawings that need to be submitted but at a minimum include a site plan, floor plan, front elevation, and a 3D rendering, however, you may include additional drawings you feel will better represent your design or any innovative features you propose.

13: Is the square footage 14k or 15k max?, there is a discrepancy on the OAN site?

The square footage of the house should be no more than 1500 SF.

14: How to we login to Rem? Do we use score or index?

Additional information will be e-mailed to competition entrants with further instructions, to start make sure to update your profile on the Open Architecture Network including your full name, email, full street address, and team type.

15: Can we model with Treat or another modeling software?

No. In order to compare each entry fairly we have asked that all entrants model there designs using RemRate for which a copy is being provided at no additional charge.

16: Was the site in Wyandanch developed before? There is a curb cut there?

Yes, the site has been previously developed, however, there is currently no sign of this previous development as the site has overgrown. No, there is no curb cut.

17: Can we use products from other countries that are distributed in the USA?

Yes. We have asked that designs “demonstrate constructability using currently available materials and techniques.” If you are unsure if the products you have chosen fit this description we urge you to reconsider your choice. Please keep in mind that products that aren’t readily available tend to cost more in terms of dollars, transportation energy, and time/quality of installation due to a steep learning curve. If these costs are outweighed by the products benefits make sure this is clearly demonstrated in your submittal documents.

18: Is there an emphasis on Healthy Homes? Do you get additional points if the home is rated to a health standard?

While we do encourage healthy homes there are no additional points awarded if the home is rated to a health standard. However, such considerations are sure to be noticed by the judges. Furthermore, the LEED for Homes rating system takes Indoor Environmental Quality into account and additional points may be awarded for actions proposed, a higher level of LEED for Homes certification will be rewarded in judging.

19: Can I just have an architect from NY cover my submission?

If you do not have a NYS license you can either enter the competition as either a Student or Emerging Professional or include a license holder on your team. This decision should be made at time of registration.

20: How do we submit models if we make one?

We are not accepting physical models but you are welcome to include photos of any models you build as part of your submission. If you are selected as a winner or finalist you are welcome to bring it to the awards dinner where it can be displayed.

21: If I can’t make it to the event should I be selected as a finalist, can I send a representative?

Yes. While we would love to have all winners and honorary mentions at the awards dinner you are welcome to send someone on your behalf.

22: What exactly is supposed to be on the competition boards? Are we to include the REM reports, LEED checklist, fortified for safer living checklists and Manual J Calculations on the actual board? Also are we to put our entire narrative on the board? or may we write a separate piece and place a consolidated version on the board?

The boards only need to contain the drawings requested or selected by you to best represent your design. Other documents (ie. REM reports, LEED checklist, etc) do not need to be included on the boards. Likewise, if you prefer to have an abbreviated narrative on the boards that is acceptable.

Please note that the boards may be used separately from the other required submittal documents as a part of judging so they should be able to represent your design on their own. Also, as you upload your documents be sure to upload the boards as well as each image on the boards as a separate file.

23: The submission checklist says that we need to have EPA WaterSense compliance but the site doesn't have any kind of checklist for that. So how exactly are we supposed to demonstrate compliance with it?

There is no EPA WaterSense checklist to document compliance. However, an awareness of the type and style of fixtures and appliances that qualify for the WaterSense label should be demonstrated in any documents that include water use. These may include the plumbing fixtures, irrigation system, dishwasher, washing machine, or any other water using items you may propose to use in your design.

24: I am currently living and working in Australia and am preparing a design submission for the competition. I am neither a student nor a NYC practitioner – I am a practicing but un-registered graduate. I have therefore assumed I can only submit as an ‘Emerging Professionals’.

3) As I am from Australia, I am not familiar with any NYS practitioners.
If I were interested in teaming up with a practitioner in order enter the design as a ‘Professional’, are there a list of practitioners who have volunteered for this or do we need to seek them out independently.

We have addressed your questions below:

1) There is an award for all entrant categories. Awards for the Emerging Professional and Student categories are being finalized. Please check the website for updates.

2) Any items posted to the Open Architecture Network will be under the protection of the creative commons license, you can read the OAN licensing at openarchitecturenetwork.org/licensing. However, Attainable LI reserves the rights to reproduce all or part of submissions for promotional purposes.

3) Attainable LI does not have a list of practitioners that will qualify you to enter the competition under the Professional category. However, you can speak with someone at the American Institute of Architects, New York, the local chapters are Long Island and Peconic, to request a directory of licensed professionals (www.aianys.org) that may be interested in joining your team.

25: Are we correct in our assessment of; geothermal heat pump technology is NOT a renewable energy source? What does the competition specifically consider as “renewable energy sources”?

A renewable energy source is defined as energy that comes from natural resources that are naturally renewable. These would include, sun, wind, hydro, and true geothermal as opposed to a ground source heat pump (commonly referred to as geothermal).

If you read the competition requirement carefully there is no restriction to the use of renewable energy sources, however they cannot be used in the calculations for the HERS rating.

It should also be noted that the cost for renewable energy, if used, as well as all proposed energy systems need to be included in the cost estimate required for submission. If you wish to propose a ground source heat pump make sure you include the cost of drilling in the estimate. Also, any system proposed must be in accordance with any codes or other regulations, you can find a link to the Town of Babylon building code under the “Resources” tab on the competition website.