Architecture at Zero competition winners envision California cultural hub doubling as resiliency asset

The winners of AIA California's 13th annual Architecture at Zero competition are in: This year's challenge tasked architecture students, high schoolers, and professionals to design a net-zero educational and cultural hub in California's Antelope Valley that could quickly transform into an emergency operations center during regional disasters, blending sustainability goals with community service. 

Centered on decarbonization, equity, and resilience, the competition has long pushed designers to think beyond energy efficiency and explore how architecture can create more adaptable and community-focused places.

The jury, composed of Lance Collins (Partner Energy), Scott Gaudineer (Flewelling & Moody), and Allison Williams, awarded $25,000 in prizes across the winning entries.

And here they are:

PROFESSIONAL

MERIT AWARD: La Plaza Viva (cover image)
Perkins & Will, Dallas, The Beck Group, Dallas, and TBG Partners, Houston, TX

See their proposal in detail here.

CITATION AWARD: CARAPACE | La Plaza Arts and Culture Center
Stantec, Houston, TX

See their proposal in detail here.

COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

HONOR AWARD: Oasis for Resilience
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Facultad de Arquitectura, Coyoacán, Mexico

See their proposal in detail here.

MERIT AWARD: CROSSROADS: Cultivating Community, Confronting Climate
Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil

See their proposal in detail here.

CITATION AWARD: THE WOVEN
Hanoi Architectural University, Hanoi, Vietnam

See their proposal in detail here.

CITATION AWARD: Casa del Viento
UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA

See their proposal in detail here.

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD: PueBlo
Feng Chia University, Taichung, Taiwan

See their proposal in detail here.

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

MERIT AWARD: El Santuario
Burlingame High School, Burlingame, CA

See their proposal in detail here.

CITATION AWARD: Desert Willow Center
Canyon Crest Academy, San Diego, CA

See their proposal in detail here.

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD: Sombrero Big
Admiral Farragut Academy Tianjin, Tianjin, China

See their proposal in detail here.