NEB Prizes 2021: All Applications

In a series of experimental buildings methods of designing and constructing with living trees are explored. Based on research into vernacular living architecture, the pioneering structures are created in co-design and co-creation with trees. Through this interplay of human action and plant growth, sustainable constructions that celebrate the aesthetics of nature emerge. Architectural production is understood as a horticultural transformation of natural processes and structures into buildings.

We teach designers and practitioners to co-create with trees! Advanced tools in scanning trees, simulating and predicting their health, growth, and structure allow for an iterative, open design process. Smooth data-led design puts decisions in the hands of makers and provides a communication network between designers, users and experts. Students will apply their tools to design the first ever urban Living Root Bridge in India, and to plan growth of a pavilion, the Baubotanik Kitchen, in Germany.

ZOURI SHOES is an eco-vegan footwear brand that uses plastic trash from the Portuguese coast together with ecologic and sustainable materials. Together with local institutions, NGOs and schools, ZOURI has managed to remove 4 tons of plastic from the Portuguese beaches. The plastic trash is being transformed into raw material, mixed with natural materials like organic cotton, natural rubber, apple leather and pineapple leaves fabric - Pinatex. Zouris are ethically and fairly made in Portugal.

The project is a proposal on how to challenge social, environmental and spatial difficulties we experience in our modern society. 

Vacant industrial areas provide space to address problems such as segregation,scarcity and unemployment.

The essence of the project is to facilitate an ‘inclusive’ transformation with relatively simple interventions, for and by local residents, in a spatial, functional and ecological sense

Located in Bordeaux, the Villa Rohan is an exemplary transformation of a former office building into a residential building. Refurbishing this building from the 80s appeared to be more appropriate than demolishing it, in view of its undeniable volumetric, spatial, and structural qualities. This strategy also enabled to keep the business operating on the ground floor. The Villa Rohan demonstrates how relevant and replicable the refurbishment and the change of use of a building can be.

Studiomap is the beginning of your career as an artist.

With a simple and powerful interface, artists, studio managers, producers, photographers, and videographers can easily find each other and start creating together.

In a world where the desire to create is too often repressed by the social complexity of the industry milieu, where word of mouth prevents young talent from breaking through, Studiomap unlocks everything.

The building industry currently stands as one of the most environmentally harmful industries. Even sustainable structures, like green roofs, are part of this harm. PET GROWN proposes a solution to this problem. It combines modern technologies to design and produce green roof structures which integrate all the essential functions and are made only out of rPET, an accessible material with a circular lifespan. Let's start building fully recyclable green roofs!

ReGen Villages is addressing urgent housing shortages in balance with critical life support systems of clean water, renewable energy, high-yield organic food production and circular natural resource flows, with direct access and agency at the neighborhood scale.

Utilizing machine learning and digital twin software to change the rules for fast-track planning conditions that will enable these net-zero, energy-positive and self-reliant communities to be built and retrofitted around the world.

PULRON Thermoplastic coating provides to metal ultimate protection against corrosion in exterior. It last for decades without any changes in quality, colour and gloss. Material is environmentally friendly, easy to use and easy to repair. 

U Garden is like a green phoenix which grew out of a wasteland in the city of Ferrol. People collaborating and working towards a common objective gave it a life. This wild lap of land was created into a little garden with herbs, flowers, plants and trees in it. U Garden is not only a garden - It is a place to meet up, to be and spend time. This is a circulation between people from different generations, organisations, families - a place uniting the community.