The challenge seeks to highlight the role of building level green infrastructure - such as green roofs, living walls, indoor farms and gardens - in creating sustainable urban environments.

This year's design challenge asks entrants to consider what constitutes a healthy, productive and sustainable urban environment from both a building performance perspective and as an improvement of surrounding public spaces. The design should be effective now and as the climate changes.

Submissions must include design and operation solutions that enhance the urban environment, particularly those that:

• Enhance the primary use of land and unlock additional benefits;
• Improve air quality;
• Reduce overheating risk;
• Improve flood resilience;
• Promote more sustainable transport, such a cycling and walking;
• Take account of likely future shortages in public water supply.

The challenge is open to individuals or teams including students, qualified practitioners, and researchers. Entrants can choose to work at any scale, from a single building and its surrounding space to larger, more formally linked spaces and developments. The scheme can be in any UK location.

Submissions should be submitted on 2 x A0 posters. All submissions must contain an overarching green infrastructure vision for the identified area, as well as detailed designs provided for at least one building (in large developments) or selected indoor spaces in single building proposals. 

The deadline for entries is 19 February 2018.

The 2018 Green Infrastructure Design Challenge will be launched at Build2Perform Live on 21 November 2017 at 13.00 – 13.45. Speaking at the launch will be the 2017 Design Challenge winners, alongside Professor John Dover from Staffordshire University, who will outline how much plants can improve the human environment.

This year’s challenge is supported by Ecobuild. All submitted designs will be showcased at Ecobuild 2018 at Excel, London, where the shortlisted teams will be expected to present their design in a three minute presentation to a judging panel at the event. The winning design will be announced at an Ecobuild reception on 6 March 2018. 

To find out more and to register for the launch event on 21 November, go to www.cibse.org/GIChallenge