Sustainable Design News
OpenIDEO Launches NextGen Cup Challenge
OpenIDEO has launched a new challenge to push the boundaries of sustainable design and material and chemical innovation to solve a prevalent global waste issue. The NextGen Cup Challenge asks innovators, suppliers, designers, and problem-solvers to reinvent the fiber cup system.
Shortlist Announced for Inaugural Meaning-Centred Design Awards
The shortlist for the world's first Meaning-Centred Design Awards, a competition to recognize those pioneering designs that radically innovate what things mean to consumers and markets, has been revealed in London.
Made Thought Designs Plastic Free Aisle Installation for Design Museum
Made Thought, in conjunction with environmental campaign group A Plastic Planet, has developed an installation recreating the world's first Plastic Free Aisle that was introduced in an Amsterdam branch of Dutch supermarket chain Ekoplaza in February this year.
2018 Clean Energy Challenge
The What Design Can Do platform is calling for submissions for its 2018 Clean Energy Challenge, focused finding creative solutions for pressing energy issues in México City, São Paulo, Nairobi, Delhi and Amsterdam. For each city 'What Design Can Do' has crafted locally specific briefings informed by real stories, global key issues and local design capacity.
Pentawards Announces 2018 Winners
Pentawards has announced the winners of its 2018 Packaging Design Competition. The Pentawards attracts packaging from around the world, which is then judged by an international jury of 12 highly respected designers, packaging design directors and marketing chiefs.
Green Good Design Awards 2019
The 2019 Green Good Design Awards are now open for submissions. The competition's goal is to bestow international recognition to those outstanding individuals, companies, organizations, governments, and institutions - together with their products, services, programs, ideas, and concepts-that have forwarded exceptional thinking and inspired greater progress toward a more healthier and more sustainable universe.
Oceanic Awakening: Designers Unite to save the Ocean and Concept the Cities of Tomorrow
Wärtsilä has launched 'Oceanic Awakening,' an initiative that, by 2020, aims to connect and inspire 20 of the world's most influential port cities to embrace and develop Smart Marine ecosystems, which rely on digitalization, cost-effective, carbon-free shipping via smart vessels and more.
Livingboard: A Motherboard for Instant Open-Source Housing
Carlo Ratti Associati and Indian non-profit organization WeRise have unveiled Livingboard, a low-cost system for housing in rural communities.
Frame Awards 2019
Submissions are now open for the 2019 Frame Awards, the first and only global interior-design awards with a truly holistic approach. The Awards identify and honor the world's best interior projects, but also the people behind them.
London Design Fair Presents Its Second Material of the Year: Plastic
For its second Material of the Year exhibition, London Design Fair is shining its spotlight on the most controversial material in contemporary making.
First Round of iF Social Impact Prize Sponsors Five Initiatives
iF has announced that it has donated 25,000 EUR to five social aid projects across the globe through the first round of its 2018 Social Impact Prize.
Architecture at Zero 2018
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) and the American Institute of Architects, California Council (AIACC) announced the eighth annual Architecture at Zero competition for zero net energy (ZNE) building designs.
WRNS Studio Wins AIA CC Leading Edge Design Award for Sonoma Academy's Janet Durgin Guild & Commons
WRNS Studio was honored with the 2018 American Institute of Architects, California Council (AIACC) Design Award for their Sonoma Academy Janet Durgin Guild & Commons project.
2019 One Show: Call for Entries
The One Club is now calling for entries for the 2019 One Show, the world's most prestigious awards show recognizing the best creative work in advertising, interactive, design and branded entertainment. The brightest creative minds from advertising agencies, digital agencies, design agencies, production companies, consumer brands and non-profit organizations are invited to enter.
Material Explorations: Waste Streams at Makerversity, Somerset House
Makerversity has announced the latest in its 'Material Explorations' series looking at Waste Streams. Whilst the world wakes up to how damaging plastics are to our environment, Makerversity questions what a world without industrial waste would look like.
D&AD Impact Introduces $20,000 Prize Fund
D&AD Impact is a global initiative and awards program that exists to shine a light on the power of creativity as a force for good in the world. This year D&AD Impact are introducing a cash prize of $20,000 to be awarded at the discretion of the D&AD Impact Council.
BAMB Reversible Design Competition
Buildings As Material Banks (BAMB) is inviting students of architecture and engineering from all EU universities to participate in the 'Reversible Design Competition.'
Rado Star Prize Winner Announced at NYCxDESIGN
Rado has announced Sussanah Weaver as the winner of its 2018 Rado Star Prize. The winning project, 'Felted Concrete,' combines solid concrete and wool, creating a mixture of materials that are juxtaposing, yet complimentary.
SFC's 2018 Get Your Green On Competition Now Open for Submissions
The Sustainable Furnishings Council is calling for entries for its third annual interior design competition, #GetYourGreenOn. This competition honors interior designers who specify sustainable and healthful home furnishings for their clients' residences.
Coalesse, Sagegreenlife and Forward Space Host Earth Day Event
In honor of Earth Day and in light of the rapidly growing trend of biophilic design, Coalesse, Sagegreenlife and Forward Space celebrated green living in the workplace, hosting an Earth Day event at Chicago-based Steelcase dealership Forward Space.
Innovative New App Provides Boost in Drive for Sustainable Fashion
reGAIN, the UK's first app for the recycling of unwanted clothing, is now available. The app helps consumers turn unwanted clothes into discount coupons for leading retailers in the UK, helping to divert tonnes of unwanted clothing from going to landfill.
Humanscale Unveils Smart Ocean: First-Ever Task Chair Made with Recycled Fishing Nets
Humanscale has unveiled Smart Ocean, the first ever task chair made with recycled fishing nets. Developed with Bureo, it incorporates almost 2 lbs. of recycled fishing net material.
2018 DFA Design for Asia Awards
The 2018 DFA Design for Asia Awards is now open for submissions. Organized by Hong Kong Design Centre, this competition has been an influential platform in underpinning designers' contribution and acknowledging the positive impact of user-centric designs in Asia.
MycoTEX Wins 2018 Global Change Award
MycoTEX, a 100% biodegradable material based on mycelium, the root of mushrooms, has been named one of the five winners in the 2018 Global Change Award. The Award is one of the world's biggest challenges for early stage innovation and the first such initiative in the fashion industry.
Svart Powerhouse Hotel by Snøhetta
Snøhetta has unveiled its designs for 'Svart,' the world's first Powerhouse hotel, at the foot of the Svartisen glacier that runs through Meløy municipality in northern Norway. The hotel is situated just above the Arctic Circle.
BMW i: Visionary Mobility
A new temporary exhibition opening March 23 at the BMW Museum will focus on the BMW i brand and its protagonists BMW i3 and BMW i8.
2019 Passive House Conference China
In 2019 the Passive House Conference will be held in China for the first time. Energy efficient construction and retrofitting experts will convene in the Chinese city of Gaobeidian next year.
Oslo Airport City by Haptic Architects and Nordic Office of Architecture
Haptic Architects and Nordic Office of Architecture have unveiled their winning design for the masterplan of Oslo Airport City (OAC), a sustainable smart city located adjacent to Oslo Airport.
60th Annual Good Design Awards Unveils New Sustainably Designed Trophy
Good Design Awards has today unveiled a new sustainably designed trophy designed by Evolve Group, winners of the 2016 Good Design Award of the year for the FLOW Hive.
Greenbuild Europe 2018
The 2018 Greenbuild Europe will take place April 17-18 in Berlin, Germany at the Radisson Blu Hotel and Meeting Center. The conference offers a forum for the green building community to unite, change lives, revolutionize business and address pressing issues, such as air quality, human health, energy use and global climate change.
Winners of 6th Cradle to Cradle Product Design Challenge Announced
The Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute recently unveiled the winners of its 6th Cradle to Cradle Product Design Challenge.
2017 iF Social Impact Prize Recipients Revealed
iF has unveiled the recipients of the 2017 iF Social Impact Prize. The competition received over 150 social projects from companies, design studios, NGOs, foundations and both public and private organizations.
Better with Less Design Challenge
Metsä Board has launched an open idea competition that aims to find new solutions for some of the most frequently used consumer packages, and to deliver better experiences with less impact on the environment.
Poster For Tomorrow 2018
Submissions are now open for the 10th and final edition of the Poster For Tomorrow contest. The theme for 2018 is 'A Planet for Tomorrow.'
2018 Pentawards Packaging Design Competition
The 2018 Pentawards, a prestigious worldwide competition exclusively devoted to packaging design in all its forms, will open for submissions February 5.
2018 AZ Awards
Azure has announced the opening of submissions to the 2018 AZ Awards. Now in its 8th year, the competition celebrates the best in architecture and design from around the world.
Model Young Package 2018
The 2018 Model Young Package is now open for submissions. Just as the previous editions, the competition motivates designers from all over the world to create sustainable packages.
Form Us With Love Creates Odger for IKEA
Form Us With Love recently designed Odger, a click-lock assembly chair in wood-polypropylene, made in collaboration with IKEA.
Fashion Positive Launches Innovators Hub to Accelerate Circular Materials Development
The Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute's Fashion Positive Initiative has launched the Innovators Hub, a resource center for the growing circular fashion movement.
ASID Releases Post-Occupancy Research Findings of its New HQ
The American Society of Interior Designers has released the findings from their comprehensive pre- and post-occupancy research studies from their Washington DC HQ.
Deep Blue Bag by Yves Behar Launches on Kickstarter
The Deep Blue Bag is a sustainably-sourced up-cycled urban adventure bag, designed by Yves Behar in collaboration with Mafia Bags.
Fernando Laposse Wins 2017 Future Food Design Award
Fernando Laposse has won the inaugural Future Food Design Award for his corn husk project 'Totomoxtle.' Laposse collaborated with Mexican farmers to develop new earning models for local strains of corn that result in less residual waste while generating a lucrative 'bycatch' for local farmers.
De Vorm Unveils Nook Lounge Chair
De Vorm has unveiled Nook, a PET Felt Lounge Chair created for hotel lobby's, break-out areas, residential projects or waiting areas.
Arup Team Up with Goldfinger Factory to Launch Circular Economy Design Range for Home and Office
Goldfinger Factory teamed up with Arup to launch a new circular economy product range for the home and office this September to coincide with London Design Festival 2017.
Built Environment Trust Launches BE Journal
The Built Environment Trust has launched the first issue of its new journal 'BE.' The journal offers original, radical takes on the ideas, people and projects that will shape the built environment of tomorrow.
New Cradle to Cradle Certified Foundations Program Offers Free Guidance for Achieving Certification
The Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute has launched a new guidance program for manufacturers and designers looking to create and certify products according to the Cradle to Cradle Certified Product Standard.
WSU PACCAR Environmental Technology Building by LMN Architects
LMN Architects recently completed the PACCAR Environmental Technology Building at Washington State University (WSU) in Pullman, WA.
Seventh Annual Architecture at Zero Competition Opens for Entries
The seventh annual Architecture at Zero competition for zero net energy (ZNE) building designs is now open for entries from students and professionals worldwide.
The Architect's Newspaper 2017 Best of Design Awards
The Architect's Newspaper's 5th Best of Design Awards is now open for submissions. The competition aims to showcase great buildings and building elements.
4th International Green Interior Awards Shortlist Revealed
The International Green Interior Awards has revealed the shortlist for 2017.
Seymourpowell Wins Gold Cannes Lions Award for Fairphone 2
Seymourpowell's Fairphone 2 design has been awarded a GOLD Product Design Award for Sustainability & Environmental Impact at the 64th Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.
Winners of Fifth Cradle to Cradle Product Design Challenge
The Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute has revealed the winners of its 5th Cradle to Cradle Product Design Challenge.
ASID DC Office Named Healthiest & Greenest in the World
American Society of Interior Designers' (ASID) Washington DC headquarters is the first in the world to receive both LEED and WELL Platinum Certification under WELL Building Standard v1, making it the greenest and the healthiest office on the planet.
Greenbuild 2017 International Conference and Expo
Taking place this year in Boston, Mass. at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, Greenbuild is the world's largest conference and expo dedicated to green building.
RIBA Launches Inaugural International Week
RIBA International Week will take place July 3-7, featuring a wide array of events and keynote speeches around the theme of the New Urban Agenda - the United Nation's global strategy on goals for sustainable development and housing over the coming two decades. The Week's program will facilitate engagement with the UN's Agenda for architectural practices of all sizes, and architects at every stage of their career.
Future Food Design Awards 2017
The 2017 Future Food Design Awards is now open for submissions. The award is the foremost international prize intended to encourage and highlight innovative and disruptive designs for sustainable future food.
Five Fashion Companies Join Fashion Positive Plus
H&M, Kering, Loomstate, Zero + Maria Cornejo and Eileen Fisher have joined the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute's Fashion Positive PLUS collaboration.
INFINITI Green Factor Design Contest
INFINITI is calling for submissions for its Green Factor Design Contest. The competition is open to architects and designers under 35.
Eleven Magazine Announces Winners of BIOMIMICRY Challenge
Eleven Magazine has announced the winners of its inaugural BIOMIMICRY Challenge. The competition challenged participants to imagine designs inspired by nature.
World's Greenest Terminal Launches at Oslo Airport
Designed by Nordic Office of Architecture, the 115,000 sqm expansion to Oslo Airport sets new standards in sustainability.
2017 #GetYourGreenOn Design Competition
The Sustainable Furnishings Council is now accepting entries for the 2017 #GetYourGreenOn design competition, a program that recognizes and awards sustainable and healthful choices in residential interiors.
8th International Plastics Sustainability Conference in Anaheim
Plasticity Forum will host its 8th International Plastics Sustainability Conference on May 9th in Anaheim.
iF Social Impact Prize 2017
iF is inviting companies, design studios, NGOs, foundations, public institutions and other organizations from all over the world to take part in its 2017 Social Impact Prize.
2017 What Design Can Do Conference: Climate Change Crisis
The 2017 What Design Can Do, to be held May 23-24 at Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ, will focus almost entirely on climate change and how designers can address this urgent issue. Prominent speakers and experts from all design disciplines, including architects, journalists, product designers and influcencers, will be exploring the role that design can play in solving some of the world's most pressing environmental problems.
Cradle to Cradle Product Design Challenge V: Call for Entries
The fifth Cradle to Cradle Product Design Challenge is now open for entries. Organized by the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute, the challenge enables designers to learn and apply critical strategies for envisioning products for the circular economy.
Reebok Growing Plant-based Footwear: Cotton + Corn
Reebok has today announced "Cotton + Corn," a new sustainability initiative led by the Reebok Future team to create shoes "made from things that grow."
The Habits of High-Performance Firms
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Committee on the Environment (COTE) has analyzed the characteristics of the architecture firms that regularly produce the most advanced buildings and compiled their findings in a new report, The Habits of High-Performance Firms.
Red Dot Award: Design Concept 2017
Entries are now open for the 2017 Red Dot Award: Design Concept. The competition offers designers, companies and universities from all over the world the opportunity to enter their product visions and put their whole creative potential to the test.
2017 City of Dreams Competition Winner: Cast & Place
FIGMENT has recently unveiled the winner of its 2017 City of Dreams Pavilion Design Competition. Cast & Place by Team Aesop reimagines waste as a transformative resource for New York City's future.
2016 Greenbuild Sustainability Report
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has released the 2016 Greenbuild Sustainability Report, highlighting valuable metrics and key benchmarks regarding the impact on energy use and waste management at the 2016 Greenbuild International Conference and Expo, held last October at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, Calif.
IKEA Kungsbacka by Form Us With Love
Form Us With Love, in collaboration with IKEA, has created Kungsbacka, the first kitchen fronts line entirely made from recycled plastic bottles and reclaimed industrial wood.
Winners of 4th Cradle to Cradle Product Design Challenge
The Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute has announced the winners of the 4th Cradle to Cradle Product Design Challenge.
Greenbuild India and Greenbuild China: Call for Proposals
The Greenbuild International Conference and Expo is the largest and most influential green building conference in the world - and in 2017, for the first time ever, Greenbuild is coming to India and China.
USGBC Announces International Rankings of Top 10 Countries for LEED 2016
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has announced the Top 10 Countries for LEED in 2016. The list highlights countries outside the United States that are making significant strides in sustainable building design, construction and market transformation.
Winners of Architecture at Zero Announced
PG&E and the American Institute of Architects, California Council, have announced the winners of the sixth annual Architecture at Zero competition for zero net energy (ZNE) building design.
4th International Green Interior Awards
Entries are now open for the 4th International Green Interior Awards. The competition aims to showcase world leading, innovative and inspirational interior spaces that are packed with interior products that have a positive affect for people and environment.
Canada's Most Iconic Airport Takes Flight
The Calgary International Airport's (YYC) new international terminal is officially open, moving all U.S. and global flight operations to the new terminal facility.
Paris Navigating Gym
Carlo Ratti Associati has today unveiled Paris Navigating Gym, a fitness vessel that moves along the Seine River by harnessing energy from passengers' workouts. The project was developed in partnership with Technogym, Terreform ONE and URBEM.
Biomimicry Global Design Challenge 2017
Entries are now open for the 2017 Biomimicry Global Design Challenge. The contest calls for design concepts addressing any aspect of climate change adaptation, mitigation, and reversal in any sector of the economy.
Last Week to Enter Cradle to Cradle Design Challenge IV
Entries are still open for the fourth Cradle to Cradle Product Design Challenge. The Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute invites designers and students worldwide to submit designs for innovative, sustainable products developed with Cradle to Cradle principles in mind.
Supreme Creations Innovation and Impact Awards 2017
The Supreme Innovation and Impact Awards recognize and reward the most innovative and well-designed products and sustainable packaging produced worldwide. The theme for this year's event is 'Second Life' - a celebration of reusable packaging and giveaway designs.
Maas Architecten Creates Highly Energy-efficient New Office Space for Vreugdenhil
Maas Architecten has designed the highly energy-efficient 2850sqm head office for Vreugdenhil, located in Nijkerk, the Netherlands.
Greenbuild Boston and Greenbuilding Brazil: Call for Proposals
The call for proposals is now open for Greenbuild Boston and Greenbuilding Brasil.
7th Maier S. Coop. International Design Competition
The 7th Maier S. Coop. International Design Competition is now open for submissions. This competition, focussed on vehicle design and aimed at professional or amateur designers, will distribute more than 15,000 Euros in prizes.
Construction Climate Challenge Funds New Research Projects
The Construction Climate Challenge has unveiled two new research projects that aim to come up with solutions on how to reduce CO2 emissions within the industry.
Design Council Spark 2017
Entries are now open for the third Design Council Spark, a support programme and fund designed to help people turn their idea into a commercially successful product.
Fashion Positive Launches Materials Collection
An initiative of the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute, Fashion Positive has just launched a new digital materials library to help connect fashion designers with certified materials suitable for circular design.
Construction Climate Talks Episode 5: Reducing Carbon Footprint in Cities
Since November 2015, the web TV series Construction Climate Talks has aired four episodes.
2016 Cradle to Cradle Challenge Winners
The Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute has announced the winners of its 2016 Cradle to Cradle Product Design Challenge.
SCI-Arc and Habitat LA Complete Sustainable and Affordable Home for Local Veteran and Family
SCI-Arc has announced the completion of a new three bedroom, 2 ½ bath home designed by SCI-Arc students, in partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles (Habitat LA), Los Angeles County 2nd District, General Motors Foundation and Bernards.
Smart-Grid Living: Frey Architekten Unveils the Smart Green Tower
The Smart Green Tower is a 51-meter-high residential and commercial tower, which on account of its planned size, architecture and environmental configuration, is slated to become a flagship project in the area of innovative building-integrated energy systems.
Architecture at Zero 2016
The Architecture at Zero 2016 competition challenge is to create a zero net energy (ZNE) student housing project on the San Francisco State University campus.
adidas x Parley: Shoes Made From Ocean Plastic
adidas has released a limited edition running shoe made from Parley Ocean Plastic, which is collected in coastal areas in the Maldives, and includes illegal deep-sea gillnets retrieved by Parley for the Oceans' partner organization Sea Shepherd.
NAPHN16 North American Passive House Network Conference
Passive House is a building standard which results in a 90% reduction in building energy demand for heating and cooling. Since buildings make up a third of the world's energy consumption, focusing on improving our buildings can have a significant effect on our global energy demand.
2016 Innovation By Design Awards
The 2016 Innovation By Design Awards is open for entries. Organized by Fast Company, the competition aims to honor the designers and businesses solving the problems of today and tomorrow.
Lexus Design Award 2016 Grand Prix Winner Announced
Lexus International has named Agar Plasticity, a project exploring how agar, a gelatinous material obtained from marine algae, can be used as an environmentally friendly packaging material alternative to plastic, as the Grand Prix winner of the 2016 Lexus Design Award.
Construction Climate Talks Episode 2: Josefina Lindblom
In the second episode of the Construction Climate Talks series released today, Josefina Lindblom, Policy Adviser at the European Commission, responsible for their work on Resource Efficiency in the Building Sector, addresses questions such as 'what is a green building?' - a question that is hard to define at a conceptual level.
Scottish Designers Launch Zero Waste Couture Collections
Two Scottish designers have transformed unwanted clothing donated to the charity into striking high-fashion collections challenging perceptions of textile waste.
Red Dot Award: Design Concept 2016
The 2016 Red Dot Award: Design Concept is now open for submissions. Designers, design studios, manufacturers, and universities are called on to submit their best product ideas, prototypes and ready to launch products.
Pininfarina H2 Speed Concept Car
Pininfarina has unveiled its H2 Speed Concept Car at Geneva Motor Show.
