The winners of the Architecture at Zero 2015 design competition have been announced.
Teams of both students and professionals contributed entries to the contest, which is dedicated to the advancement of California Zero Net Energy (ZNE) building.
This year was the fifth edition of the event, and the task was to submit project plans that would develop the 113,300-sf Block 15 of the University of California, San Francisco Mission Bay campus into family-style student residential units over a ground floor of retail and community and support spaces.
Among the requirements, each project had to have 398,700 gsf of housing, 19,500 gsf of support services, and 774 beds in 523 units. Above all, each submission had to be as close to net-zero as possible, meaning it produces as much energy as it uses over the course of one year. A five-member jury evaluated the plans.
Student teams from the University of Cincinnati and Cornell University and a pro team from San Francisco’s EBS Consultants and AXIS Architecture + Design all won citation awards for their designs. San Francisco’s Mithun firm and Seattle’s Weber Thompson group each won honor awards. San Francisco’s BAR Architects earned a special recognition award.
Winners received up to $25,000 in prize money.
The University of Cincinnati's Transformer, a citation award winner. Redering courtesy University of Cincinnati and UCSF
Breeze Block, from Cornell University, was a citation award winner. Rendering courtesy Cornell University and UCSF
EBS Consultants and AXIS Architecture + Design won a citation award with Alveo. Rendering courtesy EBS Consultants and AXIS Architecture + Design and UCSF
Mithun won an honor award with Estuary. Rendering courtesy Mihtun and UCSF
BAR Architects' Mission Zero earned a special recognition award. Rendering courtesy BAR Architects and UCSF
Related Stories
AEC Tech | Jan 19, 2023
Data-informed design, with Josh Fritz of LEO A DALY
Joshua Fritz, Leo A Daly's first Data Scientist, discusses how information analysis can improve building project outcomes.
Multifamily Housing | Jan 19, 2023
Chicago multifamily high-rise inspired by industrial infrastructure and L tracks
The recently unveiled design of The Row Fulton Market, a new Chicago high-rise residential building, draws inspiration from industrial infrastructure and L tracks in the historic Fulton Market District neighborhood. The 43-story, 300-unit rental property is in the city’s former meatpacking district, and its glass-and-steel façade reflects the arched support beams of the L tracks.
Urban Planning | Jan 18, 2023
David Adjaye unveils master plan for Cleveland’s Cuyahoga Riverfront
Real estate developer Bedrock and the city of Cleveland recently unveiled a comprehensive Cuyahoga Riverfront master plan that will transform the riverfront. The 15-to-20-year vision will redevelop Tower City Center, and prioritize accessibility, equity, sustainability, and resilience.
Museums | Jan 18, 2023
Building memory: Why interpretive centers matter in an era of social change
The last few years have borne witness to some of the most rapid cultural shifts in our nation’s long history. If the experience has taught us anything, it is that we must find a way to keep our history in view, while also putting it in perspective.
ProConnect Events | Jan 17, 2023
3 ProConnect Single Family events for Home Builders and Product Manufacturers set for 2023
SGC Horizon, parent company of ProBuilder, will present 3 ProConnect Single Family Events this year. At ProConnect Single Family, Home Builders meet in confidential 20-minute sessions with Building Product Manufacturers to discuss upcoming projects, learn about new products, and discover practical solutions to technical problems.
University Buildings | Jan 17, 2023
Texas Christian University breaks ground on medical school for Dallas-Fort Worth region
Texas Christian University (TCU) has broken ground on the Anne Burnett Marion School of Medicine, which aims to help meet the expanding medical needs of the growing Dallas-Fort Worth region.
Green | Jan 17, 2023
Top 10 U.S. states for green building in 2022
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) released its annual ranking of U.S. states leading the way on green building, with Massachusetts topping the list. The USGBC ranking is based on LEED-certified gross square footage per capita over the past year.
Libraries | Jan 13, 2023
One of the world’s largest new libraries opens in Shanghai
Designed by Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects, Shanghai Library East covers more than 1.2 million sf, 80% of it dedicated to community activity.
Religious Facilities | Jan 9, 2023
Santiago Calatrava-designed St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church opens in New York
In December, New York saw the reopening of the new St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine—the only religious structure destroyed on 9/11. Renowned architect and engineer Santiago Calatrava designed St. Nicholas Church to address the traditional Greek Orthodox liturgy while honoring the Church’s connection with the World Trade Center Memorial site.
Government Buildings | Jan 9, 2023
Blackstone, Starwood among real estate giants urging President Biden to repurpose unused federal office space for housing
The Real Estate Roundtable, a group including major real estate firms such as Brookfield Properties, Blackstone, Empire State Realty Trust, Starwood Capital, as well as multiple major banks and CRE professional organizations, recently sent a letter to President Joe Biden on the implications of remote work within the federal government.
