Socially Responsible Design Call for Entries – 2012 Buckminster Fuller Challenge

August 4th, 2011 by Glenn Meyers

Fuller Dome 2

Socially responsible designers now have the opportunity to present their innovative projects to the world.

The Buckminster Fuller Institute (BFI) has announced the “Call for Entries” to the 2012 Buckminster Fuller Challenge.

According to BFI, this annual global competition recognizes “bold, visionary, tangible initiatives that take a comprehensive, anticipatory, design science approach to radically advance human well being and the health of our planet’s ecosystems. “

The winner is awarded &100,000 in prize money. Based on the design philosophy of Buckminster Fuller – best known as the inventor of the geodesic dome – BFI was founded to serve as an international network of Fuller-inspired innovators. The organization maintains a comprehensive information clearinghouse on Fuller, including a detailed inventory of the practices and principles underlying Fuller’s approach to design innovation.

Although the simplified application involves only 10 questions and the submittal of six images, juror demands are rigorous. “No other public design competition that I know comes even close to being this demanding for applicants, nor so thoroughly managed,” says designer and former juror, John Thackara.

In the press announcement, Elizabeth Thompson, the executive director of BFI has indicated she hopes to see “…solutions that address multiple problems without creating new ones down the road – integrated strategies dealing with key social, economic, environmental, policy and cultural issues. “

Thompson added that the contest judging criteria takes into account what Fuller once called “comprehensive anticipatory design science.” BFI personnel feel this kind of approach helps support the design of strategies aimed at having a transformative effect on the system as a whole.

Last year’s competition was titled, “Architecting the Future.”

The deadline is Monday, October 24, 2011, 5pm EST. Details on submitting entries are available at this Internet location.

Photo: oceandesetoiles & BFI Challenge

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Tags: 2012 Buckminster Fuller Challenge, BFI, Buckminster Fuller, Elizabeth Thompson, geodesic dome, John Thackera, socially responsible design

About the Author

Glenn Meyers is a writer, producer, and director. Meyers was editor and site director of Green Building Elements, a contributing writer for CleanTechnica, and is founder of Green Streets MediaTrain, a communications connection and eLearning hub. As an independent producer, he's been involved in the development, production and distribution of television and distance learning programs for both the education industry and corporate sector. He also is an avid gardener and loves sustainable innovation.