‘Architecture at Zero’ focuses on decarbonization, equity, and resilience in building design. The event challenges architects and engineers worldwide to create innovative design solutions that address real-world issues on a real-world site for real people.
In 2022, 180 entries from 35 countries were submitted, with the competition brief asking for affordable housing development designs for farmworker families in Visalia, California. The Merit Awards was the highest award given for the competition.
We decided as a firm to enter the competition because this project was focused on a critical problem in our own backyard,
Paul Halajian, principal architect for Paul Halajian Architects.The firm's design, ‘De La Tierra’, demonstrated how a decarbonized environment could enhance the quality of life of the Valley farmworkers.
The following is a selection of the techniques Paul Halajian Architects used in its winning design:
• Energy modelling and BIM software helped determine decarbonization methods for the region
• Cross-laminated timber panels & excavated soil formed energy-efficient 'rammed Earth walls.'
• Ground-source heat pumps, solar water heaters, and solar roof panels helped offset energy use.