Nationwide Sustainable Housing Award

Nationwide Building Society today announces the launch of the Nationwide Sustainable Housing Awards. Working in partnership with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), the annual ideas competition is open to all undergraduate architecture and design students. The competition aims to stimulate and reward innovative thinking about how people can live more sustainably in the future. Students are invited to present sustainable design ideas for one of three categories: existing housing, new build or community/neighbourhood. Kevin McCloud, presenter of Grand Designs will announce the winners of each category at an awards ceremony in February 2009. 

Nationwide is the UK's second largest mortgage lender and a leading provider of funds for affordable housing. As a mutual organisation Nationwide is committed to supporting the communities from which it has evolved. Having made its own corporate commitments to pursue a sustainable future, Nationwide is hoping to stimulate others to think sustainably too.

Graham Beale, chief executive at Nationwide, said: "We are delighted to be launching these awards, which we hope will inspire the architects and designers of the future to think about housing in a sustainable way. The initial concept was proposed by one of our members. As both housing and sustainability are issues close to our heart we felt it was a great project, both for the students and for homeowners in general who may benefit as a result of the new ideas generated."

The competition is planned to run for three years. The theme of this first year's competition is 'Sustainable Housing in an Urban Environment'. The closing date for entries is Friday 16 January 2009. More information about the competition and how to enter can be found at http://www.nationwideriba.co.uk/|