The Problem

The 24-hour life of the urban fabric of our communities is affecting not only the natural environment, but
human health and wellbeing. As the human “footprint” continues to expand, issues surrounding
sustainability rise to the forefront. The design and construction industry’s efforts to improve building
performance are slowly being adopted…but now is the time to develop unique solutions to respond to
these global problems. The California Architectural Foundation challenges architects, students,
designers, planners, and all interested individuals to develop solutions to reduce the environmental
impacts on our planet, slow urban sprawl, and discover innovative ways to effectively reuse existing
resources.

The California Architectural Foundation, through the William Turnbull Jr., Environmental Education prize
program, is furthering the general public’s understanding about the synergistic relationship between the
built and natural environment in California.

The competition involves finding sustainable solutions for urban infill projects with a zero carbon footprint.
The jury will review each submission on the basis of the multi-dimensional impact the ideas offer for
re-shaping the way in which we create our communities. It is important to present the concepts in a way
that quantifies the positive benefits to the eco-system without being simply anecdotal. While components
and systems do not need to be wholly drawn from existing technologies it is expected that the concepts
will be realizable within the near term. Inclusion of concepts that are drawn from ongoing research
and the application of previously theoretical elements are encouraged. We want to stretch the imagination
of all who are exposed to the concepts that emerge from this competition with the goal of leading our
profession toward a carbon neutral future.