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
Sustainability | Jan 9, 2023
Innovative solutions emerge to address New York’s new greenhouse gas law
New York City’s Local Law 97, an ambitious climate plan that includes fines for owners of large buildings that don’t significantly reduce carbon emissions, has spawned innovations to address the law’s provisions.
Fire and Life Safety | Jan 9, 2023
Why lithium-ion batteries pose fire safety concerns for buildings
Lithium-ion batteries have become the dominant technology in phones, laptops, scooters, electric bikes, electric vehicles, and large-scale battery energy storage facilities. Here’s what you need to know about the fire safety concerns they pose for building owners and occupants.
Market Data | Jan 6, 2023
Nonresidential construction spending rises in November 2022
Spending on nonresidential construction work in the U.S. was up 0.9% in November versus the previous month, and 11.8% versus the previous year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Industry Research | Dec 28, 2022
Following a strong year, design and construction firms view 2023 cautiously
The economy and inflation are the biggest concerns for U.S. architecture, construction, and engineering firms in 2023, according to a recent survey of AEC professionals by the editors of Building Design+Construction.
Performing Arts Centers | Dec 23, 2022
Diller Scofidio + Renfro's renovation of Dallas theater to be ‘faithful reinterpretation’ of Frank Lloyd Wright design
Diller Scofidio + Renfro recently presented plans to restore the Kalita Humphreys Theater at the Dallas Theater Center (DTC) in Dallas. Originally designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, this theater is the only freestanding theater in Wright’s body of work.
University Buildings | Dec 22, 2022
Loyola Marymount University completes a new home for its acclaimed School of Film and Television
California’s Loyola Marymount University (LMU) has completed two new buildings for arts and media education at its Westchester campus. Designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), the Howard B. Fitzpatrick Pavilion is the new home of the undergraduate School of Film and Television, which is consistently ranked among the nation’s top 10 film schools. Also designed by SOM, the open-air Drollinger Family Stage is an outdoor lecture and performance space.
Adaptive Reuse | Dec 21, 2022
University of Pittsburgh reinvents century-old Model-T building as a life sciences research facility
After opening earlier this year, The Assembly recently achieved LEED Gold certification, aligning with the school’s and community’s larger sustainability efforts.
Multifamily Housing | Dec 20, 2022
Brooks + Scarpa-designed apartment provides affordable housing to young people aging out of support facilities
In Venice, Calif., the recently completed Rose Apartments provides affordable housing to young people who age out of youth facilities and often end up living on the street. Designed by Brooks + Scarpa, the four-story, 35-unit mixed-use apartment building will house transitional aged youths.
Coatings | Dec 20, 2022
The Pier Condominiums — What's old is new again!
When word was out that the condominium association was planning to carry out a refresh of the Pier Condominiums on Fort Norfolk, Hanbury jumped at the chance to remake what had become a tired, faded project.
Cladding and Facade Systems | Dec 20, 2022
Acoustic design considerations at the building envelope
Acentech's Ben Markham identifies the primary concerns with acoustic performance at the building envelope and offers proven solutions for mitigating acoustic issues.
