1st Advanced Architecture Contest - Self-Sufficient Housing
The Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia furthers its support of sustainable development by sponsoring the Advanced Architecture Contest. Created for students and professionals to inspire changes in how new buildings are designed and constructed, the program challenges participants to design a self-sufficient and ecologically oriented dwelling.
Self-Sufficient Housing
Architecture does not offer the responses to current environmental issues that might be expected from it. Instead, the enormous influence of its historical legacy shapes thinking around today's design solutions, limiting innovation. In fact, contemporary buildings might be artificial natures. We believe that housing - where human inhabitation takes place - should take its cues from the trees: it should be tied harmoniously to the surrounding environment, taking only the indispensable resources (energy, water, etc.) and generating recyclable waste that follows natural cycles. The main goal of this competition is the development of self-sufficient dwellings in which technological elements are essential components of a new architectural concept and not only a reflection of an attachment to conventional ideas about houses.
The building location is open to the designer.s choice, so the project can be proposed to accommodate local conditions in any region of the world.
There are two categories:
1. Self-Sufficient Collective Housing
2. Self-Sufficient Single Housing
The competition results and further investigation will be published by ACTAR www.actar.es
Free Competition Registration. The participation in this competition does not require any type of payment. [ read more ] »
Advanced Architecture Contest »
art | architecture | IAAC »
The Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia web site »

Nelson Mandela Bay Statue of Freedom Competition
An architectural competition is being held to find the winning design for a statue of Freedom, that commemorates the achievement of freedom in South Africa, 10 years ago. The statue will be built in the Port Elizabeth harbour at the Nelson Mandela Bay.
An open invitation to creative South Africans – as individuals or in consortia and involving associates from elsewhere in the world if desired - to submit their ideas and concepts and a note of relevant experience in response to the challenge of the brief and the site.
competition rules »
Nelson Mandela Bay Statue of Freedom Competition web site »