NEB Prizes 2021: All Applications

The Extremerinas Project arose from a passion to revalue Spanish transhumant Merino wool from the Extremaduran pasturelands and give visibility to this unique fibre. Whilst giving much needed support to traditional extensive and transhumant livestock systems, important tools to help combat climate change. This project has generated a high-quality locally produced collection of Merino wool products, that combine modern design with traditional craftsmanship.

The project is about live-tracking and live-compensation. Sensors read CO2 levels in a room. In real time, the required biomass has been calculated and transmitted to a seed-printer with watering system. We are located at the threshold of a new reality, an era of clear hyper-interdependence and planetary scale computational capabilities mixed together with uncertainties of the anthropocene and approaching scarcity of resources. Day by day, a grown CO2 graph visualised the air quality.

Fern by deardesign studio transforms Recycled Materials into Eco-responsible, High-end Office Furniture Built for Workplace Wellness. 

The furniture collection highlights the potential of upcycled and recycled materials to reduce impacts on the environment, and to aid in achieving social and economic balance. 

The tallest wood structure in Spain is also the first housing cooperative built in public land to fight speculation and provide affordable and stable housing. The community-led project has 28 units of different sizes and 300m2 of communal spaces. The building has become an example of low environmental impact, both in its construction, during its use and at the end of its life, while keeping affordability and inclusivity.

The Casa de la Lectura and its Casetas de las Biblio de Verano is a community-oriented project that aims at fostering reading and cultural activities while serving as a regenerator of urban life and social interaction in Segovia. The project comprises the renovation of a historical building in the city centre to serve as Casa de la Lectura plus a series of small ‘Casetas’ located in public spaces in several neighbourhoods with library services and cultural activities for the summer months.

Wooden building that provides a feeling of comfort, safe, healthy and welcoming environment, respectful with nature, generates social cohesion, circular bioeconomy, almost zero energy efficiency, 100% renewable, biophilic design, low waste, low energy consumption, reduces environmental impact up to 96%, light frame structure and wood finishes. This project demonstrates that traditional steel and concrete proposals in public buildings can be changed by wood. Its use 24 hour on-call service.

Alvaro Cunqueiro Hospital was conceived for the people' wellbeing who live in it. Inspired by the sails of a ship, its concept of curative architecture serves more than 600,000 people. It has opted for sustainability, optimizing: economic resources, respect for the environment, the health and wellbeing of users and social awareness. With international BREEAM certification, its 280,000 m2 are distributed in hospital rooms, heliport, library, nursery, cafeteria, training classrooms, auditorium.

Edible cutlery to save the planet. Use and eat.

ZERO WASTE, nutritious, gluten-free, vegan, allergen-free, no added sugars, and with the option to customize flavors. Our goal? To end with plastic and waste, to promote a circular economy, and to improve the consumer's dining experience.

Ibrida is a neighborhood bread beer brewed with the surplus bread unsold in the local bakeries in Milan. The beer is crafted for and with the growing areas of the city, aiming to support small businesses scattered over the territory, promoting short supply chains and a sustainable vision. Ibrida means "hybrid", representing the perfect synthesis between the tradition of brewing and the trend of baking bread, and the perfect combination of the entrepreneurial and social spirit.

In Bulgaria, boroughs outside city centres lack public space. But with small interventions, empty lots can become thriving social hubs. Adding seating and basic amenities can open them up for people, while a collective design process fosters community.

We propose to scale up this placemaking process by streamlining it and putting it on wheels. We will equip a truck and travel across the country to seed public space. Let’s get the engines running so any neighbourhood can enjoy greenery and play.