Green wall at Birmingham New Street station

GI design challenge launch

Technical spec & launch

This event, part of Green Sky Thinking Week, will feature talks by leading experts, presentations from shortlisted design teams and announcement of the winning and highly commended entries.

We’re looking for designs for office buildings (existing or in planning) that demonstrate how both indoor and outdoor green infrastructure can contribute to the health, wellbeing and productivity of staff, while simultaneously improving the building’s energy efficiency and climatic resilience.

The interaction of indoor plants with heating, cooling, acoustic management, air quality, staff productivity and wellbeing is an exciting and growing area of research: the benefits of green infrastructure don’t need to remain outside the building entrance.

Recording of launch webinar

Judging criteria

The proposals will be judged on evidence provided against the following categories:

  • Health, wellbeing and productivity of staff – improving staff working environment including the indoor / outdoor air quality
  • Improving energy efficiency – looking for solutions that complement and enhance existing building systems
  • Climate resilience – improving thermal comfort, water management and flood prevention measures

Design submissions must make clear any associated requirements for the building’s maintenance and management regime.

The design should demonstrate consideration of:

  • the building curtilage – the surroundings: street scene, plazas, courtyards, other public spaces surrounding the building
  • the external building surfaces
  • the building’s interior