Consumers have been encouraged to ‘eat local’ and ‘shop local’—now, an international design competition out of British Columbia has architects ‘building local.’
The Architecture Foundation of British Columbia (AFBC) announced the winners of its 100 Miles House Ideas competition, which required participants to design a home only using materials and technology found within 160 km (100 mi) of Vancouver.
The goal was to challenge the way people think about buildings by asking whether it is feasible to build with only local materials. Although it was based in Vancouver, the hope was the results could be modified for any location. The 57 international participants were prompted to explore new ideas challenging the way people think of the ‘regional house.’
The top prize went to Tony Osborn (Vancouver) for his ‘Myco House’ design. Osborn’s building included materials such as masonry block made from mushroom mycelium and pine beetle wood.
“We can reduce the region’s waste, increase energy efficiency, contribute to food independence, create affordable housing, teach people skills, and strengthen communities with a building system that is made, used, and recycled right here,” he explained.
According to Sean Ruthen, a professional advisor with the competition, the results can be important for the design community.
“The question is whether, and how, it can be done,” he told Construction Canada Online. “If it directs the conversation toward one of regenerative sustainability, which the 100 Mile House is certainly a part, all the better.”
Other winners included:
• second prize: Neil Burford, Alex Pearson, and Joseph Thurrott Architects (Dundee, Scotland) for ‘Zero E House;’
• third prize: Won Jin Park (New York City, N.Y.) for ‘New Model;’
• innovation prize: Renee Ferguson and Michelle Krochmal (Oyster Bay, N.Y.) for ‘Bee House;’ and
• student prize: Laura Diaz and Dario Adail Ferrer (Madrid, Spain).
