Michigan Contest

Overview

The Build UP! Building a Brighter Michigan Competition invites Michigan college and university students compete to design the most attractive, effective, and energy-efficient house to be built on Mackinac Island in Michigan. The design is meant to display the powerful combination of energy efficiency and the best in home design. The winning team receives prize money and the opportunity to work with Meadowlark Builders to make their design a reality. Dates of the 2009 competition are:

* Nov. 1, 2009 – Competition launched

* Jan. 31, 2010 - Team registration due

* Feb. 28, 2010 – Progress report due

* April 4, 2010 – Full design submission due

* May 7, 2010 – Winner announced - Lansing Community College Team MacZero is this year's winner!  Thank you to all participants. It was a close decision!

The Build UP! Building a Brighter Michigan competition consists of three major phases:

Designing: This is where most of the work—and the learning—happens. In addition to designing houses that use innovative, high-tech elements in ingenious ways.

Finalizing: Students have to raise funds, communicate team activities, collect supplies, and work with contractors. Although the Build UP! competition receives the most attention, it's the hard work that students put in during the finalizing phase that makes or breaks the project.

Fundraising: Weeklong rentals at the final home will be available for purchase. Revenue from rental fees will be used to finance the construction of the home and develop a scholarship trust fund for students attending a college or university in the State of Michigan.

Official rules, guidelines, and requirements can be downloaded here.