The Virtual Pavilion will explore key sustainability themes through a digital exhibition of global projects and places, as well as a major series of events and downloadable content. To ensure the very best and most impactful projects are chosen, an Open Call has been launched for entries to two elements of the Virtual Pavilion – exemplary projects for the exhibition and a sustainability focused installation that will act as a centrepiece within the exhibition.
It is seeking global projects, built or planned, that best represent the built environment sector and its role in tackling the climate and ecological crisis. Submissions are expected to exhibit outstanding performance against at least one of the Virtual Pavilion’s environmental themes: climate mitigation, climate adaptation, natural resource use, and nature and biodiversity – whilst demonstrating how they also benefit people and communities. The final exhibition will feature a diversity of project types, with different contexts and geographies, each of which will have a virtual space within the exhibition.
The chosen projects for the Exhibition and Installation will be promoted as part of the COP26 Built Environment Virtual Pavilion communications campaign, and will be available to view long after COP26 ends.
The deadline for entries is Monday 2nd August 2021 at 23:59 BST, with winners and commendations scheduled to be announced in late-August. Those interested in submitting projects and ideas should read through both Open Call briefs (for the exhibition and the installation) and decide where their project best fits.
Julie Hirigoyen, Chief Executive at UKGBC, said:
“The launch of today’s Open Call is a very exciting moment for the COP26 Built Environment Virtual Pavilion. Each project that will be selected for the exhibition will help tell a story of sustainability in the built environment and enable those entering the virtual reality space to see just how important our industry is in the race to net zero. I look forward to submissions being received for the exhibition and the all-important centrepiece, and seeing the projects and creative ideas within our industry become a virtual reality.”
