PG&E and AIA Foundation Announce Winners of Zero Net Energy Design Competition

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 5, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) joins the American Institute of Architects Foundation (AIAF) and East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation (EBALDC) in announcing the winners of the fourth annual Architecture at Zero competition for zero net energy (ZNE) building designs.

The winners were announced on December 5, at 10:00 a.m. at the AIA East Bay Center at 1405 Clay Street in Oakland. 

Student entries:
Merit award to: "Gateway Residences" by students at Judson University in Elgin, IL
(Eric Blowers, Jaclein Ely, David Merlo, Kathryn Husar and Peter Lukacs)

Merit Award to: "The Wave" by students at University of Aalborg in Copenhagen, Denmark
(Elias Mohr Jensen, Jonas Snedevind Nielsen and Henrik Jacobsen)

Professional entries:
Special Recognition: "Flourish" by SERA and Glumac, Portland, Oregon

Honor Award to: "Embracing Limits" by 3r studio, Oakland, CA
(Le Pham and Mai Tran, architects and Energy Consultant, Hung Dang)

Honor Award to: "Symbiosis", international team from Canada and Spain
(Architects Rocio Carbajo Lucena, Sergio Caretero Gomez, Josiane Crampe, Geoffrey Diackiw)

A panel of international experts selects the winners and awards up to $25,000 in total prizes. The Architecture at Zero competition was open to designers, academics, researchers and students. Contestants designed a ZNE building for a mixed-use site in Oakland adjacent to the Jack London Gateway seniors' community operated by EBALDC.  

"The American Institute of Architects Foundation is excited to see the hard work and thought that went into this year's ZNE building design entries," said AIA Foundation Executive Director Sherry-Lea Bloodworth Botop. "The winning designs are not only aesthetically interesting, but create ZNE spaces that help EBALDC continue its leadership in driving community change through innovative design solutions."

This is the fourth year that PG&E has sponsored the Architecture at Zero competition. ZNE buildings produce as much clean energy as they use during a year through a combination of energy efficiency and on-site renewable energy generation. The intent is to generate new, innovative ideas for ZNE construction to help achieve the California Public Utilities Commission's goal for all new residential construction in California to be ZNE by 2020 and all new commercial construction to be ZNE by 2030.

"For decades, PG&E has been a pioneer in energy efficiency and the ZNE design competition is an important forum in helping shape California's energy future," said Vincent Davis, senior director of Energy Efficiency Programs at PG&E. "The innovative plans featured in this year's competition continue to raise the bar in energy efficient design and bring fresh perspective on what is possible today."

"Given our 40-year commitment to building healthy, vibrant and safe neighborhoods in Oakland and the East Bay, it's been an honor for EBALDC to join in support of the 2014 design competition, said EBALDC Executive Director Joshua Simon. "We know that health happens in the communities where we live, work and play. Bringing more energy-efficient building design to East Bay neighborhoods will contribute to a healthier environment for everyone."

Competition entries were juried by the following international experts: Bob Berkebile, FAIA, Principal, BNIM Architects; Ed Mazria, Founder, Architecture 2030; Paul Torcellini, Principal Engineer, National Renewable Energy Laboratory; Katie Gerfen, Senior Editor, Architect Magazine and Allison Williams, FAIA, AECOM.

To learn more, visit architectureatzero.com.

About PG&E

Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is one of the largest combined natural gas and electric utilities in the United States. Based in San Francisco, with more than 20,000 employees, the company delivers some of the nation's cleanest energy to nearly 16 million people in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit www.pge.com/ and www.pge.com/en/about/newsroom/index.page.

About the American Institute of Architects Foundation

The AIA Foundation preserves, honors and advances excellence in design for the benefit of the public. As a nonprofit, the AIA Foundation is the preeminent voice and advocate for architecture and design in America and works closely with the American Institute of Architects on areas of mutual interest. The AIA Foundation is dedicated to the belief that good design is good for all and plays an essential role in transforming lives and building a better world.

About East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation

EBALDC, a nonprofit community development organization, has built healthy, vibrant and safe neighborhoods in Oakland and the East Bay for 40 years. We maintain 22 residential properties serving nearly 3,500 residents and have developed 300,000 square feet of commercial and community space, including Swan's Marketplace, the California Hotel and Preservation Park. Additionally, EBALDC offers a range of services that empower our residents -- and everyone in the neighborhood -- to set themselves on a path to economic security and a long, healthy life. Learn more at www.ebaldc.org.

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SOURCE Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E)

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