Young designers have been challenged to retrofit homes and old or vacant buildings into more energy efficient dwellings.
The Eco-Fix competition is being run by the Ministry of Building, Innovation and Education (Mobie), partnering with architecture practice Grimshaw and Mace.
Entrants are being asked to find creative ways to make homes more energy and resource efficient, reduce heating and lighting costs, emit little or no carbon, and help mitigate the effects of climate change.
The designs should also create affordable, functional, comfortable places to live.
Around 40% of carbon emissions arise from the construction and use of the built environment.
Up to 27 million homes nationally need energy efficiency improvements if the UK is to meet its 2050 net-zero target. That equates to 2,800 homes a day, or 117 every hour.
Mobie founder and Trustee George Clarke said: “Home is the most important piece of architecture in our lives. It crafts the way we live, and how we grow as families and communities.
“A well-designed home and neighbourhood can enhance the way we live and promote good health and wellbeing.”
He added: "We need younger generations to define how they want to live now and in the future. Most of the homes in which we will live in the future exist now.
“That is why we are asking young people for their ideas on how we can adapt and change our homes to be more energy efficient and to reduce our climate impact.
“Young people are vital to the future of housing. It is important that their ideas influence home design and shape our communities of the future.”
