Architects play a crucial role in addressing both the causes and effects of climate change through the design of the built environment. Innovative design thinking is key to producing architecture that meets human needs for both function and delight, adapts to climate change projections, continues to support the health and well-being of inhabitants despite natural and human-caused disasters, and minimizes contributions to further climate change through greenhouse gas emissions. Preparing today’s architecture students to envision and create a climate adaptive, resilient, and carbon-neutral future must be an essential component and driving force for design discourse.
Given their long lifespan, new buildings must be designed to address solutions to climate change and to respond to its projected impacts, well into the second half of the 21st Century and beyond. COTE Top Ten for Students allows designs to be characterized in terms of 10 measures ranging from Community to Water to Wellness.
Eligibility
The competition is open to students from all ACSA member schools around the world. You can find a listing of all ACSA member schools online. Students are required to work under the direction of a faculty sponsor. Submissions will be accepted for individual as well as team projects. Teams must be limited to a maximum of three students.
Awards
A total of $5,000 will be distributed to the winning teams, with each of the top 10 winning projects will receive a $500 stipend to attend the 2022 AIA National Convention. Winning students will be recognized during the 2022 AIA National Convention at the COTE reception.
