The City of Chicago Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities and the Chicago Department of Housing invite licensed architects to compete in a Universal and Affordable Housing Design Competition. Universal Design is a notion that the design of any environment should be usable by people of all ages and abilities without the need for adaptation or specialized design. This competition aims to demonstrate that all dwelling units should be affordable, usable and marketable to people of diverse abilities.

The competition will incorporate Universal Design principles for single family and two-flat homes that are usable by people with and without physical disabilities. The dwelling units must be constructed within a specific construction budget that meets the Chicago Department of Housing's requirements for New Homes for Chicago developments. Of the twenty to thirty dwelling units, at least one house must be designed to meet Universal Design criteria, and a percentage of the total units must be designed as adaptable and visitable for people with disabilities.

Specific open-call competition requirements and criteria were issued at a Universal House charrette conducted on May 14, 2002. Competitors were required to attend the event in order to be eligible to compete. On June 21, 2002, the Jury selected Four Finalists to advance to Stage II of the Competition. Each Finalist will be awarded a stipend of $5,000 to further develop their designs which will be on display in City Hall and at the Chicago Department of Housing from August 7th to October 31st.

On September 19th, the Jury announced its unanimous decision to award 3D Design Studio as Winner of the Competition. In addition, Todd Webb AIA was awarded an Honorable Mention for his innovative single level Universal House design. 3D Design Studio was awarded a monetary stipend and the possibility of entering into a contract agreement for architectural services with LR Development Company LLC.