Living Steel International Competition for Sustainable Housing

This international project competition aimed to identify and use best practices to stimulate the development of creative approaches to housing built using steel. 

The competition was sponsored by Living Steel, a worldwide programme promoting the use of steel in construction contexts. Members of Living Steel include steel companies such as Arcelor, Baosteel, BlueScope Steel, CELSA Group, Corus, Erdemir, IMIDRO, Mittal Steel, Posco, Ruukki and Tata Steel.

This competition was approved by the International Union of Architects (UIA) and followed the provisions of the International Recommendations for Competitions in Architecture and Urban Planning adopted by UNESCO.



Keywords : Sustainability

Competition results

First prize Brazil :

Andrade Morettin Arquitetos Associados Ltda, Brazil

First prize China :

Knafo Klimor Architects, Architects And Town Planners, Israel

First prize United Kingdom :

Cartwright Pickard Architects, UK

Theme and objectives

The goal for this competition was to encourage the use of steel in global residential construction and find the best methods to employ it. The winning firm in each location was commissioned to realise the project in partnership with the local supply chain. 

The idea was to develop innovative approaches to meet sustainable housing needs. Underlying the competition was a desire to address the economic, environmental and social aspirations of a growing world population. The need to address housing shortages quickly, cost effectively and sustainably was increasing.

The implementation of best practices and innovation in design and construction with steel was sought to demonstrate the value steel offers in meeting society’s housing needs. 

 

Key criteria

  • Conceptual content and innovation in design;
  • Overall sustainability of the project (economic, environmental and social considerations);
  • Environmental performance;
  • Energy efficiency (possibly including renewable energy generation);
  • Adaptability and flexibility of the building;
  • Degree of innovation; 
  • Buildability and ease of construction;
  • Repeatability of the building;
  • Fit with the site;
  • Economic performance;
  • Relationship with the community;
  • Architectural qualities;
  • Technical qualities.

 

Jury Members

  • Charles Correa, Architect, India;
  • Glenn Murcutt, Architect, Australia;
  • James Berry, Developer, United Kingdom;
  • Jaime Lerner, Architect and UIA Juror, Brazil;
  • Andrew Ogorzalek, Architect, United Kingdom; 
  • Cui Kai, Architect, China;
  • Roberto Loeb, Architect, Brazil;
  • Nicholas de Monchaux, Architect, UIA Alternate Juror, USA.

Eligibility

This competition was open to qualified architects registered with the relevant professional body in the countries where the competition demonstration buildings were to be built:  Brazil, China and the United Kingdom. Qualified architects registered with the relevant professional body in other countries could also participate.

 

Results

Competition closed. Results announced on 2007

COMPETITION RESULTS