News Brief
Zerofootprint Launches Retrofit Competition
With buildings producing over 40% of the greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S., making existing buildings more energy-efficient is a high priority. Motivating inventive solutions to the problem of existing buildings is the goal behind Zerofootprint’s international Building Re-skinning Competition. The organization hopes to promote its idea of re-skinning—adding a new layer to the building envelope that can include added insulation, new wiring and piping, daylighting controls, and building-integrated photovoltaics.
Zerofootprint is actually a group of three companies: Zerofootprint Not-for-Profit, which is focused on education and advocacy; Zerofootprint Software, which develops carbon accounting programs; and Zerofootprint Carbon, which develops carbon offsetting projects.
With buildings producing over 40% of the greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S., making existing buildings more energy-efficient is a high priority. Motivating inventive solutions to the problem of existing buildings is the goal behind Zerofootprint’s international Building Re-skinning Competition. The organization hopes to promote its idea of re-skinning—adding a new layer to the building envelope that can include added insulation, new wiring and piping, daylighting controls, and building-integrated photovoltaics.
Zerofootprint is actually a group of three companies: Zerofootprint Not-for-Profit, which is focused on education and advocacy; Zerofootprint Software, which develops carbon accounting programs; and Zerofootprint Carbon, which develops carbon offsetting projects.
Entries must be submitted to the competition by September 1, 2009. Only fully funded projects may enter the competition, since the winners will have energy use monitored publicly for three years after completion. A jury that includes Stephan Behnisch, Edward Mazria, and William McDonough will judge entries on five criteria: aesthetics, energy-efficiency, smart technology, return on investment, and potential as a solution for a large number of other buildings. After three years of energy monitoring, the building with the highest reduction in energy use per square foot (compared to the last year before retrofits) will win the “Z Prize.” Zerofootprint is raising funds for the monetary portion of this prize, but hopes to make it “the largest prize in the world for architecture.”
For more information:
ZerofootprintToronto, Ontario, Canada
416-365-7557
Published July 9, 2009 Permalink Citation
Wendt, A. (2009, July 9). Zerofootprint Launches Retrofit Competition. Retrieved from https://www.buildinggreen.com/newsbrief/zerofootprint-launches-retrofit-competition
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