Competition Rules + Registration

Participants will design a cottage development on a subject property of their choice zoned R-1 in Albuquerque city limits. Sites may be undeveloped or vacant, or a redesign or redevelopment of existing development can be proposed. The site may be one lot or a combination of abutting lots that total at least 10,000 s.f. but no more than 3 acres. 

Albuquerque Zoning Map

The City of Albuquerque has surplus properties that may be sold or leased for housing.

Available City Properties

These available City properties meet the zoning and size requirements for this competition.

• 318 Mesilla St NE| 0.23 Acres 
• 4716 Periwinkle Ct NW| 0.24 Acres 
• Emerald Dr NW| 0.33 Acres
• La Orilla Corner Lot| 0.24 Acres 

The project design must comply with zoning requirements in the City’s Integrated Development Ordinance (IDO).

• Cottage Development Use-Specific Standards
  • Each dwelling unit must be between 650 s.f. and 1,200 s.f.
  • Each dwelling unit must have a porch. 
  • Dwelling units may be attached to one other dwelling unit (i.e., duplex).
  • Project size must be between 10,000 s.f. and 3 acres.
  • Use a tab in the the Pro Forma below for the calculation that determines the maximum square footage for the project that can be split into dwelling units. 
• Off-street Parking Standards
  • ADA requirements must be met.
  • On properties in a Center or Corridor [i.e., Urban Center, Activity Center, Main Street area, Premium Transit area, or Major Transit area], no off-street parking is required beyond ADA requirements. See the Zoning Map, Button 2 for Center/Corridor boundaries.
  • In other locations, 4 spaces are required for every 5 dwelling units AND 2 additional spaces are required for visitors (per project). 

At least 2 dwelling units must incorporate universal design elements to support aging in place. Universal design helps to accommodate people throughout their lives and abilities.

• AARP Guide on Universal Design: Housing Choices for Albuquerque’s Older Adults
• AARP Universal Design

The pro forma template below will calculate the financial viability of the project or quantify the subsidy needed to construct/finance the project. The pro forma must be completed and submitted with the competition entry. Projects do not need to be financially viable to win.

Pro Forma [Excel Download]

Entries will be submitted electronically and must include all of the following items to be eligible for judging.

1. Up to 2 PDF posters sized Arch D (24" × 36") that include, at a minimum, all of the following:
1. Site plan for the cottage development demonstrating compliance with the zoning requirements.
2. Floor plans and elevations for each type of dwelling unit.
3. A narrative description of the project, the site, and why the site was chosen.
4. A visual illustration (e.g., context map or rendering) showing how the project fits into the surrounding neighborhood.
5. A map or diagram illustrating how the project provides transportation access to nearby services and/or amenities to support mobility for its residents.
6. A narrative description of how the design fits into the neighborhood context and promotes access / mobility for residents.
2. A narrative summary and list of universal design elements incorporated into the design of at least two dwelling units to create age-friendly housing and support aging in place.
3. A completed pro forma.

Deadline and Submittal Portal

To be eligible for awards, all participants must attend the awards event and pin up their entries, including prints of items #1-3 in the entry submittal above, at the participants’ expense.

Awards Event

See descriptions of each milestone below. 

• Tuesday, September 1: Competition Kickoff [In-person]
• Tuesday, September 22: Competition Brief [Virtual]
• Wednesday, September 23: Competition Brief [In-person]
• Friday, October 2: Deadline to Register for the Competition [Online]
• Thursday-Friday, October 22-23: Charrette & Feedback Pin-up [In-person]
• Friday, November 13: Deadline to Submit a Competition Entry [Online]
• Friday, November 20: Awards Event [In-person]
• Spring 2027: Community Dialogue Event [Virtual]

The competition began with a summit to provide background on the key drivers for this competition:

• Demographic Changes in Our Region and Their Impact on Housing Needs
• Age-friendly Housing Needs
• Zoning Changes to Meet Housing Needs

Event Details:

• WHERE: Fusion, 708 1st St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102
• WHEN: Tuesday, September 1, 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM

While attendance was not required, those who attend will have the best understanding of the purpose of this competition. 

• Presentation [PDF]