Architecture at Zero - zero net energy design competition

Architecture at Zero is a zero net energy design competition open to students and professionals worldwide, engaging architecture, engineering and planning students and professionals in the pursuit of energy efficient design.

Architecture at Zero is presented by Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) and the American Institute of Architects California (AIA CA).

Student registration is free.

CHALLENGE

The 2020 Architecture at Zero competition challenge is to create a zero net energy library for the San Benito County Free Library in Hollister, CA.

Entrants are encouraged to highlight any energy efficiency strategies or systems shown. In order to demonstrate the building design and its performance, entrants will provide required documentation and may also include supplementary documentation. The preferred solution is an all electric zero net energy library. The preferred solution will not include natural gas and will use electric power.

ELIGIBILITY

This competition is open to students, architects, landscape architects, urban planners, engineers and designers anywhere in the world.

AWARDS AND JUDGING

Up to $25,000 in total prize money will be awarded to student and professional winners.

Entries are judged on the presentation board highlighting the project and the supplementary documentation. A separate review panel will convene to jury the technical components, which will result in a Technical Evaluation provided to the Jury. The Jury will determine the winners from all submissions. The Technical Evaluation is not the sole criterion on which entries will be judged but acts as a complement to the overall project design evaluation.

Entries are weighed individually, not in competition with others. Jury decisions will be based solely on the materials submitted. Criteria include quality of design, resolution of the program or idea, innovation, thoughtfulness, and technique.

Winners will be announced in June 2020.

DEADLINES

The registration deadline is May 20, 2020 at 6:00 pm PST and the submission deadline is May 20, 2020 at 6:00 pm PST. Students must complete the registration form.