This post is brought to you by Architecture at Zero 2024

The American Institute of Architects California (AIA CA) has launched the twelfth edition of its renowned Architecture at Zero competition. This annual event invites students and professionals from around the world to design innovative buildings with a focus on sustainability, equity, and resilience.

This year’s challenge centers on creating a new building for the Griffith STEAM Magnet Middle School in East Los Angeles, California. Participants will design a facility to replace existing relocatable classrooms, incorporating science labs, an art classroom, maker spaces, outdoor learning environments, and a teacher workroom. The competition encourages bold, creative ideas, as it is an ideas competition and not tied to a specific construction project.

A distinguished panel of international experts, including Paul Torcellini from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Lance Collins AIA from Partner Energy, and Allison Williams FAIA, will judge the entries. Winning designs will share in a prize pool of $25,000.

AIA California President Winston L. Thorne, AIA, expressed excitement about the collaboration with the Los Angeles Unified School District, emphasizing the initiative’s alignment with AIA CA’s goals of promoting sustainability, equity, and nurturing future architects.

The Architecture at Zero competition is a crucial step toward California’s ambitious goal of achieving Zero Net Energy (ZNE) in all new commercial construction by 2030. This initiative is funded by California utility customers and administered by SCE, SCG, and PG&E under the California Public Utilities Commission’s guidance.

The deadline for submissions is December 16, 2024. For more details, visit www.architectureatzero.com.