The LAGI 2018 ideas competition invited teams to design a clean energy landscape for a post-carbon world—a public artwork that will help to power the city and inspire the future. In this latest edition, hundreds of participants from over 50 countries submitted designs for St. Kilda Triangle in Melbourne. Now, the LAGI jury has narrowed down the competition to a shortlist of 25 entries.
How much of the clean energy infrastructure required to attain these goals will be implemented within urban areas, and what is the impact of these new installations on our constructed and natural environments? How can solar and wind energy be integrated into public spaces in ways that educate, inspire, and are responsive to the history, culture, and nature of place?
“The submissions for LAGI 2018 have met with our extraordinarily high expectations,” commented Jodi Newcombe, Carbon Arts founder and LAGI 2018 regional director.
Melbourne, already one of the most sustainable cities in the world, is targeting net-zero by 2020. Melbourne has a rich tradition of ambitious and creative public projects aimed towards advancing sustainable development, and the LAGI 2018 competition, which brings together multiple disciplines to take on complex problems, is a perfect fit for this vibrant city.
The winning teams will be announced during a LAGI exhibition launch at Fed Square in Melbourne on October 11. Although there is no guarantee that any of the projects will be realized, the shortlist intends to inspire the St. Kilda community with how the Triangle's masterplan can become net-zero carbon, while also fostering innovation in sustainability and public art.
“We really need things that will link people between the world we know and the world we know we need. My hope is that the winning design will display imagination, creativity, and technical know-how, but also is something which, given the appropriate support, could actually be built.” says Guy Abrahams, CLIMARTE co-founder and LAGI 2018 jury member.
