The Architecture at Zero Competition Imagines the Future of Net Zero Energy

The winners of the 2016 Architecture at Zero competition took a case study located in the fog-locked city of San Francisco and delivered a net-zero site plan for a mixed-use academic facility.

1 minute read

December 7, 2016, 5:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Antonio Pacheco reports on the winners of the 2016 Architecture at Zero competition, which comes with the potential for a $25,000 prize.

"This year’s competition focused on the development of zero-net energy (ZNE) student housing for the San Francisco State University campus in California," explains Pacheco. "Entrants were asked to create an overall site plan to accommodate the erection of 784 housing units and attendant programs like a student services center, food hall, and child care facility."

Winners included both students and professionals. Students from Taiwan, Texas, and France were awarded. The professional awards were all follows:

  • Citation Award: Piezien Circuit by Modus Studio, Fayetteville, Arkansas.
  • Merit Award: Nexus by Dialog in Vancouver, Canada.
  • Merit Award: Fog Catcher by LITTLE in Los Angeles.

The article includes renderings of examples from both categories. 

Monday, December 5, 2016 in The Architect's Newspaper

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I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

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