INITIAL PROJECT PARAMETERS: Prototype for a small affordable sustainable house for the Gulf Coast, to be constructed in early 2009. PROGRAM: The international design competition called for a 3BR-2B house to be built in Houston’s Historic Fifth Ward for $99,000 or less. CONTEXT: a low-income neighborhood of older wood-clad homes was selected as the site for the Competition to initiate revitalization and encourage low-income families who have left their neighborhood to return. SUSTAINABILITY: demonstrate affordable sustainable systems applicable to low income housing. Address economic as well as environmental sustainability.