The seventh annual Architecture at Zero competition for zero net energy (ZNE) building designs is now open for entries from students and professionals worldwide. Organized by PG&E and the American Institute of Architects, California Council (AIACC), 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.
This year, PG&E is partnering with San Francisco State University's Romberg Tiburon Center for Environmental Studies. The challenge is to create a ZNE bayside community education and visitor's center supporting the mission of the center based in Tiburon, Calif. These 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 will be chosen by a panel of international experts and awarded up to $25,000 in total prizes.
Competition entries are due by January 30, 2018 and will be juried by a panel of international experts including Paul Torcellini, Principal Engineer, National Renewable Energy Laboratory; Gregg Ander, President of Gregg D. Ander, LLC; Allison Williams, FAIA; Marsha Maytum, FAIA, LEED AP, and others to be confirmed.