Overview

As global climate change intensifies, the impact of extreme weather becomes more severe, underscoring the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Recent studies indicate that buildings account for over half of China’s total emissions throughout their life cycle. Reducing carbon in the construction sector is therefore one of the most critical challenges. Carbon emissions in the construction field span multiple stages, including the production of building materials, construction methods, energy consumption during operation, and the influence of buildings on user behavior. Achieving carbon neutrality requires collaborative efforts across all areas.

This competition aims to harness innovative design thinking, combined with advanced technology, to contribute to sustainability through real-world construction. Participants are invited to select a site within a familiar subtropical environment and propose an original “zero-carbon building” design. This design could take the form of a small building, an art installation, or even street furniture like a pavilion. The design should reflect zero-carbon principles throughout its life cycle and promote zero-carbon living behaviors among users.

The competition values designs that emphasize not only creativity but also practicality, interactivity, and effectiveness. The intention is to complete the real construction of the winning design and evaluate its impact on carbon reduction goals, potentially serving as a model for sustainable development.

Design Guidelines

2024 Theme:

Green Enjoyment (In Cantonese: Taan Luk)

Not just about reducing carbon, but about enhancing life

•Participants must choose a site located in a public space within a high-density urban area.

•The design can be a small building, an art installation, or street furniture like a pavilion.

•The design should include a thorough analysis of the site’s actual usage needs and incorporate green and low-carbon concepts.

•Zero-carbon design principles should be evident throughout the building’s life cycle, influencing user behavior.

•The design should explore innovative applications of green technology in architecture, such as renewable energy, energy-saving measures, recyclable materials, and prefabricated construction, with the goal of achieving energy self-sufficiency and environmental friendliness.

•The focus should be on human-centered design rather than purely technical or quantitative approaches, exploring new sustainable shared services.

•The design must not exceed a volume of 50m³.

•High feasibility is essential, as the winning design may be developed and constructed.

Important Dates:

•23rd August 2024: Competition announcement

•31st October 2024: Online submission of proposals via email

•Early November 2024: Online judging to select the top ten entries

•Late November 2024: Final round with in-person presentations and awards ceremony

•Early December 2024: Start of detailed design and preparation for construction of the winning design

Eligibility:

•Open to undergraduate, master’s, or doctoral students currently enrolled (including 2024 graduates), regardless of nationality or region.

•Shortlisted students must provide proof of enrollment (in JPG format) before the final round, such as a student ID or a stamped certificate. Recent graduates may submit a graduation certificate. If eligibility criteria are not met or proof cannot be provided, the award qualification will be forfeited.

Prizes:

•First Prize: 1 winner, with the winning design to be developed further and constructed, with a total prize of 60,000 RMB*

•Second Prize: 2 winners, each with a prize of 15,000 RMB

•Third Prize: 3 winners, each with a prize of 10,000 RMB

•Excellence Award: 4 winners, each with a prize of 5,000 RMB

*Note: The first prize winner will receive an initial prize of 30,000 RMB, with the remaining 30,000 RMB awarded upon completion of the detailed design contract.

The copyright of the entries remains with the participants. Upon accepting an award, participants will transfer the copyright—except for personal rights like authorship—to the organizer. The organizer reserves the right to use the winning design in full or in part during detailed design and construction, apply for related patents and awards, and use the design for printing, publishing, exhibition, and promotion, with credit given to the participants.

The organizer retains the right to interpret the competition rules.

Submission Requirements:

1.Design Drawings (JPG format):

•Use physical model photos to express design concepts.

•Include design descriptions, renderings, site plans, floor plans, elevations, sections, and other necessary drawings or photos to communicate the design strategy.

•Arrange all drawings and descriptions on a single vertical A0 sheet (1189mm×841mm); scale choice is up to the participant, with resolution above 300dpi, and file size under 50Mb.

•Drawings must not contain personal or school information, and a blank area (50mm×50mm) should be reserved in the upper left corner for labeling.

2.Design Description (Word file): Limited to around 300 words, see Attachment 1.

3.Author Information Form (Excel file): See Attachment 2(including supervisor information).

4.Originality Statement (JPG format): See Attachment 3, print, sign by hand, and return the scanned or photographed file.

Submission Method:

Submit by email by 24:00 on October 31, 2024, to: ssdc_scut@163.com, for inquiries: ssdc_scut@163.com，+86 020 87112365.

Email and attachment naming format: School-Name-Phone Number.

Each file should be named as “School-Name-File Type,” for example: School-Name-Drawings; School-Name-Originality Statement.

Judging Process:

•Preliminary judging will be conducted online, selecting the top ten entries (unranked).

•The final offline judging will invite representatives of the top ten entries to defend their work at South China University of Technology, where final rankings will be determined.

•Shortlisted designs will be publicly displayed on the WeChat public platform and website of the School of Architecture, South China University of Technology, for one week.

Competition Judges:

Seven experts from leading institutions and design organizations in Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau.

Related Organizations:

Sponsor:

•Luke Him Sau Educational Foundation

Organizers:

•School of Architecture, South China University of Technology

•State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Building and Urban Science,

Supporting Organizations:

•Southern Architectural Education Alliance (preparatory)

•China Green Building Council of CSUS

•China Green University Network (CGUN)

•Guangdong Province Building Energy Conservation and Green Low-Carbon Association

•The Hong Kong Institute of Architects (HKIA)

•Hong Kong Green Building Council (HKGBC)

•Architects Association of Macau (AAM)

•Shenzhen Green Building Association

•Architectural Design and Research Institute Co., Ltd. of South China University of Technology

Competition Assistance:

•Ecodesign Studio, South China University of Technology

Construction Consultants:

•Architectural Design and Research Institute Co., Ltd. of South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China

•Atelier cnS, Guangzhou, China

•Atelier Y, Guangzhou, China

Media Partners:

•Southern Architecture

Attachment

Attachment 1_亚热带可持续设计竞赛-作者信息回执表（The information collection table of SSD）.xlsx

Attachment 2_亚热带可持续设计竞赛-设计说明_Design Statements.docx

Attachment 3_亚热带可持续设计竞赛原创声明（中英文版）.docx

Text and Images by: Su Ping, Yin Shi, Zhong Guanqiu, Liu Xiao

Preliminary Review by: He Tianyu

Secondary Review by: Huang Li

Final Review by: Su Ping