06/02/2026
A team from the David R. Ravin School of Architecture has been chosen to participate in the inaugural Housing Innovation Challenge, a national design-build competition that brings students together with builders to help address the affordable housing crisis 🏠
The UNC Charlotte team, led by Associate Professor Marc Manack, is one of 10 academic teams selected nationwide to advance. The competition was announced at the 19th Housing Innovation Summit in Uptown Charlotte, where the city is serving as the inaugural host.
The 13 students worked in three teams, each developing a distinct proposal.
1️⃣ “Three Ply,” developed by Sundus Abu Reyal (leader), David Mba, David Peterson and Quincy Rackley, presents a modular design that can be adapted for two, three or four units built out of cross-laminated timber.
2️⃣ “CottageCORE,” designed by Lela Holt (leader), Jeremiah Boswell, Sean Cornelius, Timothy Graham and Ashley Parsons, positions two duplexes around a cottage courtyard, increasing density and encouraging social connection.
3️⃣ “Under One Roof,” designed by Gabrielle Ciceron (leader), Shane Deas, Jasmine McConnell and Meckayla Marc, integrates a primary residence and two accessory dwelling units into a single structure that features a generous front porch, adding density while keeping the appearance of a traditional home.
The team has been assigned a lot on Pegram Street in the Belmont neighborhood. Over the next 16 months, students will decide which design to pursue, refine it, and work with building partner BuildLabs to prefabricate and install a full-scale home.
In October 2027, completed homes from all 10 teams will be on view during a multi-day public exhibition before becoming occupied by residents.
The median home price in Charlotte is nearly $444,000, requiring a household income of more than $146,000 to afford — almost double Mecklenburg County's median household income.
“At a time when communities across the country face urgent housing challenges, it is essential that emerging designers develop innovative, interdisciplinary and forward-looking solutions that expand access, improve quality of life and reimagine the future of housing," says SoA Director Blaine Brownell.
📸 Team leaders Gabrielle Ciceron, Sundus Abu Reyal and Lela Holt courtesy of Tommy McCart Photography for the Housing Innovation Challenge. Renderings from each project.
