Form Follows Climate - Making architecture that is really sustainable

PREMISE

The first man-made structure was a basic shelter built for protection, made from the materials available in the vicinity. In time, these structures became more refined and humans began constructing a widespread built environment. Its impact on the environment was fairly less due to a limited population, therefore, it did not impact noticeably. After centuries now, humans and their actions have left an irreversible mark on the planet, its resources and its inhabitants. We consume valuable resources at the break neck speed from a skewed perspective of near future.

It has led to depletion of resources, irreversible damage to the environment, pollution, waste generation and climate change.

Challenge

What we failed to realize is that a structure that is insensitive to the environment costs much more to the planet in the longer run than we can imagine. The relevance of such buildings in a sustainable future, constructed without the context of climate and other environmental factors (site, material availability etc.) would become obsolete.

The standards of having pleasant environment have set a convention for all infrastructures that are being built now. These requirements have reflected on the designs as well, forcing them to resort to mechanical/artificial methods of cooling/heating.

How can we as designers re-think this notion for a sustainable future, to set new standards that create an impact? How can buildings today actually be sustainable and climate responsive while reducing dependence on these systems which are depleting energy and planet in the longer run?

Design Challenge: The challenge here is to design a public use daycare facility: Creche for kids in an urbanscape for about 100 kids aged 0-7 Years. The design strategies adapted for this infrastructure must be complacent with any one of the local climates as chosen by the participant. The challenge aims to achieve innovative design techniques for a climate responsive design using the programmatic description of the public facility as mentioned in the brief.

 Learn more on: https://competitions.uni.xyz/form-follows-climate

Judges:

To be announced.

Timeline:

Launch September 02, 2019

Registration closes: January 15^th, 2020

Submission Deadline: January 25^th, 2020

Public Voting begins: February 04^th, 2020

Public Voting ends: February 25^th, 2020

Result Announcement: March 06^th,2020

Prizes:

Prize pool of worth 20,000$

First Prize: 5000$ (For students and professionals)

Runner Up: 6 x 1100$ (For students and professionals)

People’s Choice: 4 x 600$ (Open for all)

Honorable Mention x 12: 500$ Each

More competitions here: http://competitions.uni.xyz

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