YAC Green Academy winners envision a new school for ecological culture

We live in a society that not only consumes and pollutes at an alarmingly rapid pace, but is also overwhelmed by greenwashing. As a result, proper education on responsible sustainable practices remains imperative. Based on this ongoing matter, Young Architects Competitions (YAC) launched the Green Academy competition, which challenged architects and students worldwide to transform an abandoned paper factory in Emilia Romagna of Northern Italy into what might be the first research school dedicated to the culture of ecology and sustainability for DISMECO, a leading European company that specializes in the recycling and disposal of electronic equipment.

The competition attracted 300 teams representing 94 countries. Following jury evaluations, it concluded with three prize winners, four Gold Honorable Mentions, and 10 Honorable Mentions.

Check out the winning entries below.

1ST PRIZE (€10,000): Maher McCarthy Parker. Members: Michael McCarthy, Tom Parker, Paul Maher

Jury comments: “‘Monumental’ is the keyword for first-prize team Maher McCarthy Parker. The ancient complex is totally integrated into a new structure that, although maintaining the main features of the pre-existing building, shapes a homogenous architecture with a succession of elegant spaces breathing a new life and identity into the site.”

2ND PRIZE (€4,000): Team Synapsis. Members: Domenico Faraco, Michele Caltabiano, Ilaria Gizzi, Emilio Maria Rocchi Cartoni, Chiara Bolasco and Maurizio Giodice | Italy

Jury comments: “[Team Synapsis'] project is inspired to minimal intervention criteria in order to enhance the existing structure. The proposal goes well beyond the requirement of the announcement, conceiving accommodations for a full-experience of an environmentally friendly lifestyle, a gym for electricity production and an interactive room for a constant check on the electricity consumption of the complex. The project shows an efficient dialogue between new light wood structures and solid concrete architectures painted in white for a more homogenous and elegant appearance to the whole building.”

3RD PRIZE (€2,000): Team Future. Members: Amr Alaaeldin Elesawy, Christina Nakhle, Hans-Christian Rufer, Alaa Attia | Switzerland

Jury comments: Team Future's proposal is “particularly elegant; it totally respects and adds value to the existing building by using glass and polycarbonate elements. The ancient structure plays the key role showing a refreshed elegance and monumentality with a winter garden and a solar chimney that guarantees a constant control of light and temperature in the structure.

GOLD HONORABLE MENTIONS (€1,000 each)

Don't forget to check out the Honorable Mentions in the gallery below.

All images courtesy of YAC.