Leading architecture practice is calling on all budding designers to help Santa save the planet

Award-winning architecture and masterplanning practice Stephen George + Partners (SGP) is helping Santa make his workshop as sustainable and climate-friendly as possible by organising a free and fun design competition for children, with winning designs receiving gift voucher prizes. The designs can include sustainable materials, heating and other clever solutions that will help save the planet, especially the North Pole.

The competition is split into three age groups:

6 years and under
7 - 10 years
11 to 15 years

Jay Silva, Principal Architect at SGP, says: “Just like Santa, we’re worried that global warming will melt the ice at the North Pole and the polar bears and seals will have nowhere to live. So, we’re asking children everywhere to lend a hand and make sure his workshop is as sustainable and climate-friendly as possible. We ask you to be as creative as you like and think about how Santa’s helpers can make all the toys while keeping their carbon emissions down. What sustainable materials could you use to make the space more energy efficient? How will they keep warm? It can get very cold at the North Pole!”

Entries can be on paper, as a model or in a favourite computer programme. Parents or carers can use #BetterBuildings to share the design on Instagram or X using @sgpllp, Facebook or LinkedIn @Stephen George + Partners, or email betterbuildings@stephengeorge.co.uk.

Each age category receives a £50 gift Voucher for first place designs, a £25 voucher for second and a £10 voucher for third. SGP will use their favourite design to create their Christmas Card this year, which will be used on their Socials.

The competition starts on Wednesday 6 November 2024 and closes on Friday 2 December 2024. Judges from SGP, alongside the UK Green Building Council’s Simon Matthews, and Trussell Trusts’ David Gross will meet between 3 – 6 December to decide the winners, who will be announced w/c 9 December. Parents/carers will be informed if their child and won the competition, in addition an announcement will follow on social media.

Competition entries will be displayed on SGP’s website at: https://www.stephengeorge.co.uk/social-responsibility-better-buildings/.

About SGP Better Buildings

Better Buildings is an open source and free to use website created by Stephen George + Partners (SGP). It introduces primary school children to sustainability and embodied carbon in building materials through a classroom, teacher-led programme. This can be run as a one-off session, or a series of timetabled lessons aligned to the National Curriculum.

The website includes animated speaking characters, fascinating facts, interactive carbon indicators, questions, and activities as it explores a range of traditional and alternative building materials. It culminates in the opportunity for children to design their own low carbon buildings.

Take a look at the website: https://betterbuildings.stephengeorge.co.uk/