Buckminster Fuller Challenge
Encyclopedia
The Buckminster Fuller Challenge is an annual international design competition that awards $100,000 to the most comprehensive solution to a pressing global problem. The Challenge was launched in 2007 and is a program of The Buckminster Fuller Institute. The competition, open to designers, artists, architects, students, environmentalists, and organizations world-wide, has been dubbed "Socially-Responsible Design's Highest Award" by Metropolis Magazine.
According to the Buckminster Fuller Challenge website: "Winning solutions are regionally specific yet globally applicable and present a truly comprehensive, anticipatory, integrated approach to solving the world's complex problems." Furthermore, the criteria of the Challenge calls not for a stand alone solution, but an integrated strategy that addresses social, environmental, economic and cultural issues. This is aligned with the design approach of Buckminster Fuller
, which he referred to as "comprehensive anticipatory design science".
Winners of the Buckminster Fuller Challenge include John Todd
(2008),
MIT's Smart Cities Group (2009),
and Allan Savory
and the Africa Center for Holistic Management
(2010).
Each year's winner is ultimately decided by an international jury of renowned whole systems thinkers and practitioners of sustainability. Former jury members include Jose Zaglul, Alan Kay
, Mitchell Joachim
, Adam Bly
, Jamais Cascio
, Sir Nicholas Grimshaw, Hunter Lovins
, William McDonough
, Janine Benyus
, and Danny Hillis.
Although there is only one winner per year, the majority of the entries received are featured on the Buckminster Fuller Challenge website within a fully searchable database known as the Idea Index.
The deadline for applications to the 2011 Buckminster Fuller Challenge was October 4, 2010.
According to the Buckminster Fuller Challenge website: "Winning solutions are regionally specific yet globally applicable and present a truly comprehensive, anticipatory, integrated approach to solving the world's complex problems." Furthermore, the criteria of the Challenge calls not for a stand alone solution, but an integrated strategy that addresses social, environmental, economic and cultural issues. This is aligned with the design approach of Buckminster Fuller
Buckminster Fuller
Richard Buckminster “Bucky” Fuller was an American systems theorist, author, designer, inventor, futurist and second president of Mensa International, the high IQ society....
, which he referred to as "comprehensive anticipatory design science".
Winners of the Buckminster Fuller Challenge include John Todd
John Todd (biologist)
John Todd is a biologist working in what is sometimes considered the general field of ecological design, in that his ideas often involve applications that become the basis of alternative technologies. His principal professional interests have included solving problems of food production and...
(2008),
MIT's Smart Cities Group (2009),
and Allan Savory
Allan Savory
Allan Redin Savory is a Zimbabwean biologist, farmer, soldier, exile, environmentalist and winner of the Banksia International Award 2003. and winner of the Buckminster Fuller Award 2010...
and the Africa Center for Holistic Management
Africa Center for Holistic Management
The Africa Centre for Holistic Managementknown as ACHM is a not-forprofit organization located in Zimbabwe.With their sister organization, the in Albuquerque, NM, the Africa Centre is successfully reversing desertification for the first time in history...
(2010).
Each year's winner is ultimately decided by an international jury of renowned whole systems thinkers and practitioners of sustainability. Former jury members include Jose Zaglul, Alan Kay
Alan Kay
Alan Curtis Kay is an American computer scientist, known for his early pioneering work on object-oriented programming and windowing graphical user interface design, and for coining the phrase, "The best way to predict the future is to invent it."He is the president of the Viewpoints Research...
, Mitchell Joachim
Mitchell Joachim
Mitchell Joachim is acknowledged as an innovator in ecological design, architecture, and urban design. He is also a researcher, and architectural educator...
, Adam Bly
Adam Bly
Adam Bly is the founder and editor-in-chief of Seed and CEO of Seed Media Group. He is the creator of the data visualization platform Visualizing.org and editor of Science is Culture: Conversations at the New Intersection of Science + Society .Bly was formerly the youngest guest researcher at the...
, Jamais Cascio
Jamais Cascio
Jamais Cascio is a San Francisco Bay Area-based writer and ethical futurist specializing in design strategies and possible outcomes for future scenarios...
, Sir Nicholas Grimshaw, Hunter Lovins
Hunter Lovins
L. Hunter Lovins is an author and a promoter of sustainable development for over 30 years, is president of Natural Capitalism Solutions, a 5013 non-profit in Longmont, Colorado and the Chief Insurgent of the Madrone Project...
, William McDonough
William McDonough
William Andrews McDonough is an American architect, founding principal of , co-founder of with German chemist Michael Braungart as well as co-author of also with Braungart...
, Janine Benyus
Janine Benyus
Janine M. Benyus is an American natural sciences writer, innovation consultant, and author.-Life:Benyus graduated summa cum laude from Rutgers University with degrees in natural resource management and english literature/writing. Benyus teaches interpretive writing, lectures at the University of...
, and Danny Hillis.
Although there is only one winner per year, the majority of the entries received are featured on the Buckminster Fuller Challenge website within a fully searchable database known as the Idea Index.
The deadline for applications to the 2011 Buckminster Fuller Challenge was October 4, 2010.