Home of 2030, Young Persons' Design Challenge

Published 4th December 2019

George Clarke Launches Future Home Design Competition for Young People

Renowned architect and TV presenter George Clarke is today launching a government-sponsored national design challenge for young people to create the home of the future – the Home of 2030.

The presenter of Channel 4 programmes Restoration Man, George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces and Old House New Home, is launching a nationwide challenge for young people aged between 11 and 25.  The challenge, created by his education charity MOBIE – Ministry of Building Innovation and Education - is asking young people to let their imaginations run free by designing an innovative and inspirational green home that meets the changing needs of future generations, including promoting wellbeing, quality of life and healthy ageing.

George 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 can enhance the way we live and promote good health and wellbeing”.

Clarke added: “The home of the future will be lived in by today’s young people. That is why I am so excited to be launching the Home of 2030 young persons’ design challenge.  We are asking young people, aged between 11 and 25, to design their home of the future - a sustainable, adaptable, green home that promotes wellbeing, quality of life and healthy ageing.  I know from past experience the amazing design talent and imagination that young people have. I cannot wait to see the incredible and inspirational, future thinking designs they come up with.”

The design challenge asks young people to design a ‘home for life’ and to think about how people will live in their homes in 10 years’ time. What will new technology, longer living and environmental impact mean for the design of the homes of the future? How will our changing needs influence the size, shape, space and appearance of the Home of 2030?

Entrants will need to research their design, think about materials and how to manufacture their home.  They will submit sketches and drawings, a model and a logo as well as a summary of their research and thinking that has led them to the chosen final design.

The challenge is open to young people aged 11 to 25, including those in Further and Higher education, and runs until the end of February 2020.  Regional heats will take place in March and a National Final in April or May 2020.  The winners and runners up in two age categories – 11 -17 and 18-25 - will receive a cash donation towards school or college design equipment.      

The challenge is part of a wider cross-departmental initiative between the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).

Alongside the young persons’ challenge there is an Innovation Challenge which is asking industry to propose practical and scalable ideas for future homes which are suitable for all ages and are environmentally sustainable over their entire lifespan. And in early 2020 an industry home design Competition will invite housing providers, designers and others to submit proposals for the design and delivery of new homes, responding to two Grand Challenges affecting future housing need: an ageing society and clean growth.

The delivery and management of the competition is provided by a consortium led by the Building Research Establishment (BRE), the world-leading research and innovation centre, and its partners the Royal Institute of British Architects Competitions (RIBA Competitions) the Design Council and MOBIE.

More information about the design challenge and competitions can be found at www.homeof2030.com and www.mobie.org.uk