Monadnock ADU Design Challenge receives Project of the Year Award from NH Planners Association
- July 17, 2025
Southwest Region Planning Commission recently received the Project of the Year Award from the New Hampshire Planners Association for the Monadnock Region Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Design Challenge. The project is part of a broader effort to increase housing stock in the region across a variety of neighborhood types, from a downtown setting to a rural back road. SWRPC Executive Director Todd Horner and Planner Chloe Gross accepted the award at the New Hampshire Planners Association Spring 2025 Conference in Enfield, NH on June 6th.
The Monadnock ADU Design Challenge brought together homeowners, architects, and building design professionals to develop high-quality, realistic, and innovative ADU conceptual designs tailored to specific Monadnock Region Case Study Sites. The design challenge sought to visualize and raise awareness about how ADUs can help meet a wide range of housing needs under a variety of site conditions.
NHPA noted the originality, creativity, and replicability of the Challenge, as well as transparency and community engagement. NHPA also highlighted the continued interest in the Challenge as the Case Study Site Model is replicated across the state and beyond.
With limited outreach, SWRPC received over 75 Case Study Site applications from ADU-interested Monadnock Region homeowners, indicating region-wide enthusiasm for home-grown housing solutions. Homeowner applicants expressed interest in ADUs predominantly for aging in place and supporting multi-generational households.
11 homeowners were selected to participate as Case Study Sites upon which design contestants based their submissions, representing the diverse backgrounds, geographies, and site conditions throughout the Monadnock Region. These unique, real-life problems presented in each Case Study attracted architects, designers, and students from around the country. The Challenge received 25 complete submissions.
Three $5,000 prizes (courtesy AARP Community Challenge) were awarded to the top conceptual design submissions: “Sugar Onwards” by Hallie Black for Adaptive Reuse of an Existing Structure, “Prairie Addition” by Andrew Schott of Bruce Hamilton Architects for Addition to the Primary Dwelling, and “The Shou Shed” by kcs ARCHITECTS for New Freestanding Structure. Additional contributing sponsors include Point32Health and NH Community Development Finance Authority.
More information about the Challenge, including all 25 submitted designs, can be found at www.swrpc.org/adu.
