The issue of green building continues to roll fast along with the intensifying consequences of global warming. The awareness of mankind to be much friendlier to nature is also a determining factor. The amount of awareness of caring for the environment can be seen from the frenzy of efforts to produce environmentally friendly buildings or houses. Nowadays, human nature which is consumptive of energy and activities that trigger global warming really needs to be corrected so that there is a balance between humans and nature. If not, this will disrupt the natural ecosystem on earth. As a result, natural disasters occur everywhere, declining air quality also has a negative effect on human health. Here, the construction sector has a great opportunity to reduce these negative impacts, because architecture is a manifestation of ideas that flow continuously in creating new experiences, expressions and impressions of space, not just form and function.
In many cases, we often fail to create comfortable thermal conditions in the house. The comfort has been very often sacrificed for the purpose of what lays on eyes. The need of additional electrical energy for the air conditioning system for example can be reduced if architects or building designers construct their buildings based on an environmentally friendly approach. Environmentally friendly is no longer characterized by making infiltration wells, nor by planting as many trees and grass as possible, but is demonstrated by reducing electricity usage.
A global leader for roofing solutions based in France, Onduline, which focuses on building a better world, is again challenging architectural professionals to create roof designs that enable energy consumption to be more efficient in residential homes, through the biennial Onduline Green Roof Award competition (OGRA) 2023 Asia.
This competition was initiated in 2013, and has entered its tenth year. The OGRA 2023 Asia competition is conceptualized as more prestigious with a wider range of participants than in previous years, where this time the championship is open to participants in six countries at once, namely Indonesia, India, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.
With the theme "Tropical Passive Roof Design for Low Energy Houses", participants who are required to have at least 1 year experience in architecture, interior design, construction, developers, planning consultants and implementing consultants, are required to make a roof design for a house that is managed by a sustainable strategy.
"The OGRA Competition is the right place to accommodate these ideas and thoughts, as well as being a venue for recognition of design and design that highlights sustainable responses to various technological, environmental, socio-economic and cultural issues that offer visionary solutions to the way we build," said Onduline Asia Pacific Director Onduline Olivier Guilluy, in a written statement in Philippine, 14 April 2023.
Olivier explained that the purpose of this competition was to appreciate the work of architects and provide inspiration for fellow professionals. "Onduline, which is part of Ondura, a building materials business group that is committed to sustainability, is of course proud to see the response of the participants throughout the 10 years this competition has been held. We hope that all the projects in competition can be implemented in the future," he explained. Olivier along with three well-known architects will be on the jury team, namely Chairman of the Green Building Council Indonesia (GBCI) Iwan Prijanto, Principal Architect Archimetric Ivan Priatman, and a leading architect, urban planner, environmental expert from the Philippines who is also one of 48 philanthropic heroes in the world according to Forbes Magazine, Felino 'Jun' Palafox Jr.
GBCI Chairman Iwan Prijanto said, like it or not, at the time when Indonesia and all countries in the world must enter the energy-saving stage. Developers, architects, interior designers and other building designers are invited to develop green buildings as a form of environmental responsibility. "What is meant by saving energy is the amount of energy consumed by a house that is equivalent to the amount of energy it produces from its own sources, either in the form of solar panels or other renewable energy sources," he said.
Meanwhile Ivan Priatman said, because this competition is for private residences, of course there is a tendency to judge the design from the ease of building application, including the urgency of an active-passive approach in the design. "By implementing a passive design, the occupants of the house do not need to use mechanical or electrical devices to provide comfort as a form of environmental responsiveness. That way, energy use can be minimized. The form of response to the environment will later use more natural resources around, such as sunlight and wind," he said.
Additionally, Felino 'Jun' Palafox Jr. believes this competition will raise the awareness of environmentally friendly design and urban planning for architect in Asia. “This is a golden chance for young and aspiring architect to start to contribute. Starting by joining to this event” he added.
Thousands of Dollars in Prizes
The competition officially opens on April 14 2023. Participants must first fill out a registration form via the ogra-contest.com website. The deadline for accepting works is August 30, 2023. Announcement of winners is scheduled for late September 2023. Onduline is preparing a cash prize of USD 9,200 and exclusive trophies for all winners. First place winner will receive USD 3,300, second place USD 2,300, third place USD 1,600, and 4th & 5th place winners USD 1,000 each. The 1st and 2nd place winners will also be invited as keynote speakers at a number of Onduline activities.
Partnering with Archify as Media Partner and Green Building Council around Asia such as Green Building Council Indonesia, Green Building Council India, Green Building Council Malaysia and Green Building Council Philippines, OGRA 2023 Asia Competition is expected to be able to reduce the negative impacts of construction on the environment and nature. It is hoped that the competition brings positive collaboration across Asia countries by the presence of international jury. It also a platform for the amazing hidden talents of architects to become known on the public and receive exposure. "Through this competition, we hope that many talented architectural talents in Asia who were previously invisible will be able to raise their standards so that their work is taken into account at the international level," concluded Olivier.
Register now at: ogra-contest.com
