Jun 20

Overview: ClimateSafe Villages (CSV) invites individuals and students to participate in our inaugural design challenge, focusing on creating highly climate-resilient and cost-effective community designs. We seek innovative ideas that blend proven techniques with cutting-edge solutions to address the pressing challenges posed by climate change. Participants will submit a visual rendering showcasing their design and a 3-6 page document outlining the materials, methods, and mechanisms employed, enabling local communities to implement these designs effectively.

Design Criteria: Submissions should address the following key aspects of climate resilience:

1. Extreme Temperatures: Incorporate passive and active strategies to maintain comfortable living conditions during both heat waves and cold snaps.

2. Sustainability: Prioritize eco-friendly materials, renewable energy sources, and efficient resource management to minimize the community's environmental footprint.

3. Local Food Production and Storage: Integrate spaces for community gardens, vertical farming, and food storage facilities to enhance food security and self-sufficiency.

4. Fire Resistance: Employ fire-resistant materials and design features to mitigate the risk of damage from wildfires.

5. Wind and Storm Resilience: Incorporate structural elements and landscaping techniques that can withstand high winds and severe storms.

6. Flood Mitigation: Design effective drainage systems, elevated structures, and natural barriers to protect against flooding.

The design should focus on the architectural, engineering, and visual aspects of the community, fostering a high quality of life and encouraging community building.

Submission Requirements:

1. Visual Rendering: Provide a high-quality, digital rendering or illustration that clearly depicts your community design concept. The rendering should highlight the key features and overall layout of the proposed community.

2. Design Document: Submit a 3-6 page document (PDF format) that includes: 

   1. A brief introduction to your design concept and its unique features 

   2. A detailed description of the materials, methods, and mechanisms used to address each of the design criteria 

   3. An explanation of how your design supports quality of life and community building 

   4.  Any additional diagrams, sketches, or images that support your design (optional)

Eligibility: The competition is open to individuals and students aged 18 and above. Teams of up to four members are allowed. Participants from all disciplines, including architecture, engineering, sustainability, and related fields, are encouraged to apply.

Judging Criteria: Submissions will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

1. Climate Resilience (40%): Effectiveness in addressing the six key aspects of climate resilience outlined in the design criteria.

2. Innovation (20%): Originality and creativity in combining proven techniques with novel solutions.

3. Cost-Effectiveness (20%): Feasibility of implementation and potential for cost savings in construction and maintenance.

4. Quality of Life and Community Building (20%): Success in creating a design that promotes a high quality of life and fosters a strong sense of community.

Awards:

1. First Place: The winning design will receive a cash prize of $1,000 and recognition on the CSV website and social media channels.

2. Second Place: Two runners-up will each receive a cash prize of $500 and recognition on the CSV website and social media channels.

Deadline and Submission: The deadline for submissions is December 1st, 2024. All submissions must be sent via email to info@climatesafevillages.org with the subject line "CSV Design Challenge Submission." Any submissions that are missing this subject line will not be considered.

By participating in the CSV Design Challenge, entrants agree to allow CSV to showcase their submissions on our website, social media, and other promotional materials, with proper attribution to the creators.

For any questions or inquiries, please contact us at info@climatesafevillages.org.

Join us in shaping the future of resilient communities and making a positive impact in the face of climate change. We look forward to seeing your innovative designs!

Additional Information:
 Intellectual Property: By submitting a design to the CSV Design Challenge, participants retain ownership of their intellectual property. However, participants grant CSV a non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual license to use, modify, and implement the submitted designs for promotional and educational purposes, with proper attribution to the creators. 

Use of copyrighted material without permission is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, screenshots of existing copyrighted images. Participants may use non-original images only if they have the appropriate license or permission to do so. For instance, some images are available under Creative Commons licenses that allow free use with proper attribution. When using such images, participants must provide clear attribution and adhere to the specific terms of the license. It is the responsibility of the participant to ensure they have the necessary rights to use any non-original content in their submission.

 The evaluation process will consist of a single round of judging, where the CSV Advisory Committee will assess each submission based on the judging criteria outlined above. The decisions of the advisory committee are final. 

 Participants are free to use any design software of their choice to create the visual rendering. The final rendering should be submitted in a widely accessible format, such as PNG or JPEG. The accompanying design document should be submitted in PDF format. 

 Participants are encouraged to explore the materials available on the CSV website (climatesafevillages.org) for information on climate resilience, sustainable design, and community building. These resources can provide valuable insights and inspiration for the design challenge. 

 CSV is committed to protecting the privacy and personal information of all participants. Any personal data collected during the submission process will be handled in accordance with relevant data protection laws and CSV's privacy policy. 

 CSV reserves the right to modify or cancel the design challenge at any time, without prior notice. The decisions of the CSV Advisory Committee are final and not subject to appeal. CSV is not responsible for any costs incurred by participants in connection with the design challenge.