Water is one of the world’s most precious and finite resources—critical to sustaining life, agriculture, and industry. Yet residential water consumption remains a significant contributor to global water stress. The U.S. Green Building Council California (USGBC-CA) has announced the launch of “Shaping the Future of Water Use at Home,” a global architectural design challenge (ADC) that invites architects, engineers, designers, and students to reimagine residential design through innovative, water-efficient living spaces, accelerating the shift toward a water-positive future.
Participants will propose market-ready, scalable solutions that promote water-efficient living by optimizing water use, reducing energy demand, maintaining comfort and convenience, and aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goal 6: Ensuring access to water and sanitation for all. To apply for the challenge, please visit this link.
Vision
The design challenge aims to create innovative, water-efficient living spaces, making sustainability effortless, intuitive, and desirable. Spotlighting emerging and professional designers, the challenge encourages designs for both indoor and outdoor spaces that integrate advanced water- and energy-saving technologies into daily life, without sacrificing comfort. Participants are tasked with creating solutions implementable within the next 1–3 years, with the potential for immediate application in today’s housing market.
“We’re excited to see what design professionals and students envision for the future of residential designs to minimize not just water but also energy waste. Reducing water consumption inside the home also reduces the energy needed to both heat and move that water, creating a multiplied impact on sustainability,” said Ben Stapleton, executive director of USGBC California. “This competition is about taking a step back to think holistically about innovation that enhances our experience while preserving our resources.”
Highlights
This design challenge builds on real-world insights gained from USGBC-CA’s 50L Home Los Angeles Pilot program, which achieved an average water use of 87 liters (or 23 gallons) per person per day—50 percent less than the average usage in Los Angeles—and focuses on scalable designs implementable in the next 1–3 years.
- Eligibility: Open to architects, engineers, landscape architects, industrial designers, and undergraduate/graduate students worldwide.
- Prizes: Six prizes (three professional, three student) totaling $50,000, with the professional and student first-place winners receiving $15,000 each.
- Key Design Goals:
- Achieve a benchmark of 50 liters per person per day for indoor water use.
- Integrate water- and energy-efficient appliances, fixtures, and smart home technologies.
- Support resilient, net-zero-carbon, and fire-resistant home design principles.
Timeline (Key Dates)
- Applications Open: September 24, 2025
- Applications Closed: December 5, 2025
- Challenge Launch: December 11, 2025
- Submissions Close: February 8, 2026
- Finalists Announced: March 23, 2026
- Publication & Winner Announcement: May 21, 2026
Winning designs will be showcased in a digital publication to include a summary report on key insights, approaches, and envisioned impacts. Winners will be announced at a celebratory event and roundtable at the California Green Building Conference in May 2026.
Collaboration for Impact
The initiative will foster collaboration between thought leaders, startups, and other innovators committed to a sustainable future.
The competition is supported by Accelerate Resilience LA, East Bay Municipal Utility District, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, Metropolitan Water District,
the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, and other community members, all committed to driving sustainable innovation. Winning concepts may provide pathways for new product integration, commercialization, and pilot opportunities.
To learn more and to apply to participate, please click here. For general questions about the challenge, please contact Kyle Pickett. For inquiries regarding sponsorship or other support of the challenge, please contact Carrie Hester. For interest in future design challenges and innovation pathways including the Net Zero Accelerator, contact Colin Mangham.
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