Skip to main content

Design the building of the future in this new biodesign competition

inhabitat x prize biodesign screen shot 2016 09 01 at 11 12 16 am
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Want to design the future? Here’s your chance. Inhabitat and the X-Prize Foundation have partnered on behalf of the Biodesign Competition, and the winner will receive $1,000 and the warm fuzzy feeling that accompanies the joy of integrating “the natural world into the built environment.” Because that, my friends, is apparently the future of architecture, and our world at large.

You have until September 6 to submit your design here, and the requirements are pretty straightforward (though certainly challenging). You’ll be tasked with showcasing your vision for the future of building — from bio-inspired building materials to systems and processes that will allow for healthier, greener, and more adaptive structures, just about anything goes.

You’ll need to submit renderings, illustrations, and mockups with descriptions in order to be considered. Specifically, required files include one 11 x 17-inch landscape panel demonstrating the idea, one 11 x 17-inch moonshot panel with a view, rendering, illustration, or collage, and a reflection of at least 150 words about the project.

Inhabitat and X-Prize are looking at a couple different categories, namely spaces for living, and spaces for learning or healing. In the former category, entrants are encouraged to submit their ideas for a single family home in the suburbs, a multi-family apartment in the city, an informal settlement or slum in the context of an emerging economy, or an in situ revitalization of abandoned buildings in the context of cities with declining population. Really, the (future) world is your oyster.

Ultimately, the competition is in search of designs that showcase “bold and innovative visions for the future of construction at the intersection of the physical, the digital, and the biological.”  You can dream up a building that is grown, rather than built, or one that adapts to its physical environment, much as we do. So if you think you’ve got what it takes, here’s your chance to prove it.

Lulu Chang
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Fascinated by the effects of technology on human interaction, Lulu believes that if her parents can use your new app…
Eve MotionBlinds Upgrade Kit and Blinds Collection join the Matter lineup
The Eve MotionBlinds Upgrade Kit being installed.

Eve is a prominent name in the smart home world, with the company responsible for a variety of devices covering everything from smart plugs and security cameras to smart light switches and motion sensors. Its catalog is growing even more enticing today, with the Eve Blinds Collection and MotionBlinds Upgrade Kit gaining Matter support.

The MotionBlinds Upgrade Kit will likely appeal to more customers, as it costs just $200 and works with most existing setups. Installation is as simple as removing your shades, placing the MotionBlinds Upgrade Kit through the roller rod, then reinstalling the unit on your windows. Blinds with a roller between 1.5 inches and 2.0 inches are compatible with the upgrade kit.

Read more
Philips Hue lights have a rare discount, but there’s a catch
A TV with ambient backlighting from Philips Hue.

One of the cool things about Philips Hue lighting is how much freedom it gives you over creating the perfect ambiance in your home. One of the cool things about buying Philips Hue products over at Best Buy right now is how much freedom Best Buy is giving you over what you buy to save money. Right now, when you buy two or more select Philips Hue smart lighting product in Best Buy's offer builder, you can save 15%. Tap the button below to start building your own bundle and see all of the products available. While they don't include the best smart light bulbs that Philips produces, you'll be amazed by the versatility of the lightstrips. Or keep reading for an overview of some of the top picks from the bundle.

What you should purchase from the Philips Hue offer builder
The place to start with this deal is the and the if you don't already have them. These are the devices that take your movies, music, and games and syncs them to your lights.

Read more
Samsung’s futuristic Jet Bot AI+ robot vacuum is $400 off
The Samsung Jet Bot AI+ Robot Vacuum cleaning the floor.

For families who need a lot of help in keeping their floors spotless, the Samsung Jet Bot AI+ is an investment that you'll want to make. It's pretty expensive at its original price of $1,300, but a $400 discount from Samsung pulls it down to $900. It's still not cheap, but this futuristic robot vacuum could be the only device that you need to keep dirt, debris, and pet hair away from your sight. You're going to have to complete your purchase for it as soon as possible though, as there's no telling when the offer expires.

Why you should buy the Samsung Jet Bot AI+ robot vacuum
The Samsung Jet Bot AI+ checks all the boxes in the features that are recommended by our guide on how to choose a robot vacuum. It's equipped with powerful sensors and object recognition technology that allows it to avoid furniture when it's cleaning your floors, while LiDAR technology allows it to create accurate maps of the rooms in your home so that it can properly navigate and clean more efficiently. The robot vacuum also features a five-layer filtration system that allows it to release clean air, and when it's done, it goes back to its Clean Station where it empties its contents.

Read more