Max Fordham is calling on architects to re-imagine the future of neighbourhoods in the face of the climate and biodiversity emergency.
The environmental engineering firm and its eponymous late founder designed Max Fordham House, the UK’s first net zero residential home in Camden, North London. As part of a retrospective exhibition to celebrate Max and the practice, the firm is inviting architects to build on Max’s legacy by illustrating a vision for the first net zero neighbourhood in the UK.
Max Fordham House was a massive step forward for sustainable residential design. The brief is for designs that build on these lessons and address both the need to reduce emissions and contribute to improved wellbeing in our towns and cities. As a mix of residential, commercial and retail buildings, green and public spaces and supporting infrastructure, the net zero neighbourhood presents the opportunity to create resilient, people-centred places.
Seven practices will be shortlisted to pitch their vision to a panel including Ali Shaw of Max Fordham, Sunand Prasad of Penoyre & Prasad, David Stronge of Peabody, Amrita Mahindroo of DROO Architects and Fran Williams of the Architects’ Journal.
The live Archiboo will take place on 8th March at the Building Centre as part of the exhibition on Max Fordham’s life and legacy.
The pitch presentation should:
• Be an aspirational design for an urban extension adjacent to an existing development for approximately 500 people
• Question the status quo and demonstrate inventiveness in approaching the challenges posed by the climate emergency (such as extreme temperatures, energy crisis, droughts etc)
• Showcase how the design fits into the circular economy
• Utilise existing buildings and demonstrate how they will be adapted and retrofit for new uses
• Explore the opportunities and efficiencies that can happen with economies of scale on a neighbourhood level
• Be grounded in real world constraints and parameters
• Illustrate a flair for “beautiful engineering” and elegant design rooted in sustainable design principles
Prize
The winning architect will be awarded £2,500.
Title
Architect Pitch – The Net Zero NeighbourhoodType
Competition Announcement (Ideas)Website
Organizers
Submission Deadline
February 15, 2023 11:30 PMVenue
The Building CentrePrice
Free