Architecture at Zero

Architecture at Zero competition winners announced on July 14, 2023

July 14, 2023| Architecture at Zero, Press Room/Releases| AIA California

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 14, 2023
Contact: info@architectureatzero.com
415-350-9955

Architecture at Zero competition winners announced on July 14, 2023

SAN FRANCISCO, July 14, 2023 — The American Institute of Architects, California is pleased to announce the winners of the 2023 Architecture at Zero competition.

Architecture at Zero is a design competition for decarbonization, equity and resilience, open to students and professionals worldwide. It serves to engage the fields of architecture, design, engineering and planning in the pursuit of sustainable design.

The 2023 competition challenge was to design an agriculture center, connecting the history of California’s first Black town, to its present aspiration to become a destination for sustainable agriculture and Black history. The competition program was created by leaders from the Allensworth Progressive Association in Allensworth, CA.

The Jury awarded recognized 9 projects, including 1 from high school students; 2 from undergraduate students; 3 from graduate students and 3 professional teams. There are 3 levels of awards, the highest is an “Honor Award,” followed by a “Merit Award” and then a “Citation Award. $25,000 in prize monies were distributed to winning teams.

A Citation Award was issued to a high school team from Oaks Christian School in Westlake Village, CA for the entry, “Think Outside the Box.”

Two undergraduate submissions were recognized: A Citation Award was given to the entry, “Farm Forward” by students from Wrocław University of Science and Technology in Wroclaw, Poland. A second award, a Merit Award, was awarded to the entry “frAm3” developed by students from University of Tennessee in Knoxville, TN.

Three graduate school entries were recognized: a Citation Award was awarded to “ECOZONE” a design by students from Wroclaw University of Science and Technology in Wroclaw, Poland. A Merit Award was awarded to the entry, “Biotic Diffuser” from students at University of Tennessee in Knoxville, TN. An Honor award, the highest given by the Jury, was awarded to the entry “The Parasol Agricultural Center” from students at USC in Los Angeles, CA.

Three awards were given for Professional entries, including a citation award for the entry: “(Re)Produce” by the firm of BAR Architects & Interiors in San Francisco, CA. A Merit Award was given to the entry, “Resilient Roots” submitted by HMC Architects in San Diego, CA. A final award, an Honor Award, was given to the entry, “Allensworth Passage” submitted by Smithgroup in San Diego, CA.

Jury members include: Allison Williams, FAIA, Mary Ann Lazarus, FAIA, Paul Torcellini, PhD PE, Lance Collins, AIA.

Images of the submission are available at https://www.architectureatzero.com.

Architecture at Zero is presented by Southern California Edison (SCE); San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E); Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E); Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) and The American Institute of Architects California (AIA California).

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The American Institute of Architects, California, announces the launch of the tenth Architecture at Zero competition

June 14, 2021| Architecture at Zero, Press Room/Releases| AIA California

Contact: Margie O’Driscoll
(415) 350-9955
margie.odriscoll@gmail.com

The American Institute of Architects, California,
announces the launch of the tenth Architecture at Zero competition

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—June 15, 2021, the American Institute of Architects, California (AIACA) announces the launch of the tenth annual Architecture at Zero competition focused on decarbonization, equity and resilience in building design. The annual competition is open for entries from students and professionals worldwide.

This year, AIACA will partner with Self Help Enterprises in Visalia, CA, to develop a design challenge to create affordable housing for farmworkers in California’s Central Valley. Up to $25,000 in prize money, is awarded by a jury of international experts.

“The American Institute of Architects, California is excited to collaborate on this important initiative that affirms the role of architects in leading efforts to use design to curtail climate change,” said Brett Dougherty, AIA, AIACA President.

The competition strives to generate new, innovative, decarbonization building design ideas that respond to equity and resilience and help achieve California’s ambitious energy goals.

“Self Help Enterprises is delighted to participate in the 2021-22 Architecture at Zero competition and receive fresh ideas, thoughts and concepts that can be applied in Visalia and the surrounding San Joaquin Valley,” said Betsy McGovern, Program Director of Real Estate Development. “There continues to be a huge demand for housing for farmworkers, and this is a unique opportunity to integrate decarbonization and climate resiliency through an equity lens.”

Competition entries will be juried by international experts including: Paul Torcellini, Principal Engineer, National Renewable Energy Laboratory; Allison Williams, FAIA; AGWms_studio; Lance Collins, AIA, Director at Partner Energy; and Mary Ann Lazarus, FAIA, Cameron MacAllister Group.

To learn more, visit www.architectureatzero.com.

This program is funded by California utility customers and administered by Southern California Edison under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission. Cosponsors include: Pacific Gas and Electric Company; San Diego Gas & Electric Company and Southern California Gas Company.

Other sponsors include: the California Energy Commission, US Green Building Council, Central California and the International Building Performance Simulation Association.

The American Institute of Architects, California, announces winners of the ninth Architecture at Zero competition

June 3, 2020| Architecture at Zero, Press Room/Releases, Specialist| AIA California

Contact: Margie O’Driscoll

(415) 350-9955

margie.odriscoll@gmail.com

The American Institute of Architects, California,

announces winners of the ninth Architecture at Zero competition

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—June 3, 2020, the American Institute of Architects, California (AIA CA) announces the winners of the ninth annual Architecture at Zero competition for zero net energy (ZNE) building designs. The competition welcomed entries from students and professionals worldwide.

This year, AIA CA partnered with the San Benito County Free Library in Hollister, CA. ZNE structures are designed from the start to be energy efficient and offset the energy they consume through onsite renewable energy generation such as rooftop solar. Winners were chosen by a panel of international experts and awarded up to $25,000 in total prizes.

“The American Institute of Architects, California has been excited to collaborate on this important initiative that affirms the role of architects in leading efforts to use design to curtail climate change,” said Debra A Gerod, FAIA, AIA CA President.

The competition strives to generate new, innovative ideas for ZNE construction to help achieve California’s goal for all new residential construction to be ZNE by 2020 and all new commercial construction to be ZNE by 2030.

“San Benito County residents are excited at to explore ideas for a new 21st century library that meets the needs of this diverse community,” said County Librarian, Nora Conte. “The Library is thrilled to partner with AIA CA and participants from around the world to develop zero net energy building designs.”

Student winners include:

A single citation award given to students at Academy of Art University in San Francisco and Chung Yuan Christian University, Taiwan for the entry, “Illumination.”

Three Merit awards were given to students at:

Cankaya University in Ankara, Turkey for the entry, “TO GATHER “
Wroclaw University in Poland for the entry: “Atrial Creep”
CEPT University in Ahmedabad India, for the entry, “Meraki”

Professional winners include:

A citation award to the firm, DIALOG + Byrens Kim Design Works for the entry, ”THE BRANCH”
A merit award to the firm MBB Architects for the entry, “Community Currents”
An Honor award to Jensen Architects for the entry, “Book Garden.”

Competition entries were juried by international experts including Paul Torcellini, Principal Engineer, National Renewable Energy Laboratory; Gregg Ander, President of Gregg D. Ander, LLC; Allison Williams, FAIA; Cole Roberts, ARUP and Marsha Maytum, FAIA, LEED AP.

To learn more, visit www.architectureatzero.com.

This program is funded by California utility customers and administered by PG&E under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission.