REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP): DESIGNING THE ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT (ADU) OF THE FUTURE FOR KOOTENAI COUNTY

Connect Kootenai works to protect, provide, and promote local worker housing solutions. Working to create effective housing solutions is a continual, iterative process, and providing ADU plans for free is just one of the Housing Solution Toolkit ideas. This solution aims to remove a barrier for homeowners wishing to build an ADU on their property, and in the process, enhance the livability and affordability of housing options for our community members.  

Connect Kootenai is proud to announce an open call to all architects, home designers, and engineers to conceptualize an innovative and sustainable Accessory Dwelling Unity (ADU) design. This RFP offers an unparalleled opportunity to leave a lasting imprint on Kootenai County's residential scene. We invite all professionals who share our vision for a more integrated and sustainable future to step forward and make a difference. Your expertise and creativity can help homeowners unlock the true potential of their properties while addressing pressing housing challenges. We invite you to submit an ADU design that is creative, practical, efficient, and aesthetically pleasing.  

The goal is to Provide four (4) ADU plan sets that are pre-approved and available to the public free of charge that can be submitted to a jurisdiction with minimal changes to ensure compliance with local codes. Winning proposals will help provide housing solutions for local workers, seniors, college students, and provide multigenerational housing options, plus offer income opportunities for community members.  

Request for Proposals: Preliminary plans must be able to meet the prescriptive standards of the state building code and ADU code requirements. 

The parameters are: 800 SF of living space (maximum size), maximum height 18 feet, cadet heaters, mini-splits or heat pumps, energy efficient and economic construction. 3D illustrations and/or ADA compliant unit designs are encouraged but not required. Preliminary plans shall be in PDF format with a floor plan at ¼ inch scale with exterior elevations and building sections. You may provide a maximum of four concepts.  

Judging of winning designs will be chosen by members of the Past Presidents of the NIBCA (North Idaho Building Contractors Association). The selected ADU designs will be preapproved by city municipalities for use in the five participating jurisdictions in Kootenai County. Additionally, these designs will be made available free to the public, paving the way for widespread adaptation and potentially reshaping the housing dynamic in our region. 

The winners of the top submittals will be recognized in local papers, bulletins and on social media. The ADU plans will be hosted on the Connect Kootenai website and offered to the public for free.  

Connect Kootenai is looks forward to providing innovative local worker housing solutions.  

Submission Details:  

- Deadline for Submission: November 20, 2023, by 5:00 pm.  

- Submission Contact: Greta Gissel, Connect Kootenai 208-620-1264 

 - Email for Digital ,Submissions: greta@connectkootenai.org  

- Review Period: November 16th – December 10th, 2023  

- Winner Announcement: Mid December, 2023  

If selected, construction drawings would be required by March 4, 2024