- Nearly 1,000 participants from 100 universities around the world applied

The First International Competition on Modern Bamboo Structure Building Design closed its registration on January 15, 2022. The competition is organized by Zhejiang University - University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Institute (ZJUI), Zhejiang University (Ninghai) Joint Research Center for Bio-Based Materials and Carbon Neutral Development, China Wood Protection Industry Association, the American society of civil engineers ASCE Engineered Bamboo Structures task committee.  More than 200 teams from 100 universities around the world, and nearly 1,000 participants successfully registered in the competition. International teams include the University of Illinois, University of British Columbia, Imperial College London, University College London, University of Auckland, Deakin University, National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia, etc. Close to 80 domestic universities are attracted, including Zhejiang University, Southeast University, Tianjin University, Tongji University, China Academy of Art, Central Academy of Fine Arts, University of Macau, etc.

In the following weeks, the contestants will work on the competition assignment of a modern bamboo residential building, and will submit their designs on March 20, 2022. Fabulous awards are up to grab by the participating teams and the winners will be announced in May 2022, including the special prize, first prize, second prize, third prize and innovative design award. Shortly after, the Zhejiang University (Ninghai) Joint Research Center for Bio-Based Materials and Carbon Neutral Development will be supported by Ninghai City Investment Group to select one or more designs in real construction, combined with local rural revitalization plan.

This competition is planned and organized by Prof. Y. Xiao, Qiushi distinguished professor of Zhejiang University. Three academicians of The Chinese Academy of Engineering serve as consultants and an academic committee of several internationally well-known experts in architecture, structure, environment, forestry and materials science will help to evaluate the submitted work.

The organizing committee hopes to attract more college students through the competition to enhance college students’ knowledge and understanding of the architectural characteristics of engineered bamboo and modern bamboo structures, and stimulate their innovation motivation to use engineered bamboo for creative design.

The competition is also supported by the Sustainable Development Action Plan of Zhejiang University and the International Association of Universities (IAU), which helped to attract a large number of international teams, furthering the competition’s global influence. As part of the Z4G plan, the competition will contribute the "Wisdom of Zhejiang University" for the "Carbon peak Action Plan by 2030".