ARCHITECTURE AT ZERO, a Competition for Zero Net Energy Urban Architecture

This international open ideas competition examines the challenges of creating urban zero net energy buildings, particularly in urban infill situations where building sites are often less than ideal for implementing energy-saving strategies or renewable energy sources. The competition was created in response to the zero net energy targets set in 2008 for the state of California, whereby all new residential buildings must be ZNE by 2020 and all new commercial buildings by 2030.

 
ARCHITECTURE AT ZERO challenges participants to design a mixed-use building or series of buildings for an industrial urban infill site in Emeryville, California. The complex must include housing, retail space and a new public library branch and achieve site zero net energy, consuming less energy than the amount generated on-site over the course of a year.
 
Zero net energy generally requires reducing building loads by between 50 and 75% while producing sufficient renewable energy, in the form of solar power, wind power, microhydro, geothermal or biomass/biofuel. All buildings should be connected to the grid, making it possible to tap in for extra electricity when necessary and contribute any excess renewable energy generated.
 
Project submissions should also address the building envelope, water heating, space heating and cooling, ventilation, lighting, loads and appliances. Furthermore, the site presents the added difficulties of a noisy, visually unpleasant adjacent railroad and possible seismic activity.
 
The competition is sponsored by the PG&E Zero Net Energy Pilot Program and co-presented with the AIA, one of the largest architectural organizations in the United States. All submissions are due by November 29, 2011 and the winners will be announced on December 7, 2011 at the Emeryville City Hall. 

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GALLERY