OVERVIEW
The USGBC Natural Talent 2009 Design Competition provides an applied learning experience in the principles of integrated design, sustainability, innovation, and social consciousness, all of which are components of the LEED® Green Building Rating System™. Participants will compete in local competitions, and the top winner of each will move on to compete as a national finalist at Greenbuild Phoenix in November 2009. The Local Competition Host will provide the local awards as well as travel support and registration to Greenbuild (http://www.greenbuildexpo.org), USGBC’s Annual Green Building Conference and Expo, where finalists’ entries will be displayed and where final judging will occur.

COMPETITION OBJECTIVES

• Broaden environmental education of emerging building professionals within the university system
• Empower students and young professionals within the green building movement to become future leaders
• Highlight the presence, efforts, and initiative of students and emerging leaders in the green building movement
• Encourage the reduction of fossil fuel dependence within the building industry
• Connect students with esteemed individuals from the USGBC and the green building industry
• Promote exemplary designs of future designers by displaying them at GreenBuild
• Utilize LEED® as a guideline for building design and performance
• Recognize and award students and emerging green builders for their dedication, creativity, innovation, and commitment to sustainable design

ELIGIBILITY
This competition is open to all college/university students (of any discipline and level) and individuals within five (5) years of graduation.

Teams and individuals wishing to participate in the competition will qualify to enter the nearest competition site to their residence. Depending on your residential address you may not qualify for the Sacramento chapter’s competition. Check http://www.usgbc.org/egb for a list of participating chapters.

COMPETITION CHALLENGE
The 2009 USGBC Natural Talent Design Competition for the Sacramento Region will be located on the campus of Cosumnes River College. Entrants will design a 36,000 square foot building known as the Winn Center for Construction and Architecture and an Educational Facility. The new building should be integrated with the existing Technology Area Complex. The building will be designed to be LEED Certified and used as both a model and a living laboratory to celebrate sustainable environmental design. The building should express and inspire creativity while relating to the campus theme. It should be significant in form and character as the gateway to the campus and as a model for good architecture and construction detailing.

Brief (PDF)