ARTICLES
Manni Group, con oltre 80 anni di esperienza nel settore delle costruzioni in acciaio e un impegno costante verso l'efficientamento energetico e l'economia circolare, è orgogliosa di annunciare la sesta edizione del prestigioso "Manni Group Design Award". Quest'anno, il concorso si focalizza sul tema rivoluzionario delle "Vertical Farm", trasformando le sfide dell'urbanizzazione e della sostenibilità alimentare in opportunità per l'architettura innovativa.
Manni Group, with over 80 years of experience in the steel construction sector and a strong commitment to energy efficiency and the circular economy, is proud to announce the sixth edition of the prestigious "Manni Group Design Award". This year, the competition focuses on the revolutionary theme of "Vertical Farm," transforming the challenges of urbanization and food sustainability into opportunities for innovative architecture.
In a context of climate change, characterized by increasingly frequent extreme weather events, the need for sustainable solutions for urban agriculture has become pressing. Vertical farming, the central theme of this edition of the Manni Group Design Award, presents itself as an innovative and highly efficient solution that not only meets urban food needs but also extends to sectors such as pharmaceuticals.
This cultivation method in controlled and vertical environments, in addition to growing food, also allows for the production of medicinal plants and bioactive substances with high standards of purity and safety. The vertical structures, by optimizing space and resources, contribute to reducing environmental impact and creating resilient environments that thrive despite climate instability, serving as living examples of sustainability, biodiversity, and social well-being, and promoting harmonious coexistence with the urban environment.
To evaluate the innovative proposals, Manni Group has assembled a jury of internationally renowned experts, including names like Fokke Moerel from MVRDV, Arne Emerson from Morphosis, Ming-Jen Hsueh from Sasaki, and Paul Woolford from HOK. Their global vision and experience in the field of sustainable architecture will be crucial in selecting the projects that best represent the integration of nature and the built environment.
Il concorso gode del supporto di sponsor eccezionali come ROCKWOOL, che si concentrerà sull'impiego di soluzioni Isopan con anima in lana minerale, assegnando la loro prestigiosa Gold Mention “Fire Safety”. Anche BASF, leader nel settore chimico a livello internazionale, sarà Sponsor dell’iniziativa.
The competition sees the support of exceptional companies such as ROCKWOOL, which will focus on the use of Isopan solutions with mineral wool core, awarding their prestigious "Fire Safety" Gold Mention. BASF, global leader in the chemical industry, will also sponsor the initiative.
Zero is an Italian deep-tech company specializing in vertical farming innovation. Based in Pordenone, Zero draws inspiration from nature as a productive platform, developing solutions that integrate science, software, engineering, and creativity to make vertical farming simpler, more accessible, reliable, and scalable.
Their mission is to create a new domain at the intersection of technology and biology, called "Future Farming." The impact of Zero's activities ranges from the food sector to cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and biomaterials.
Zero is part of the Future Farming Initiative (FFI), a cutting-edge public-private partnership between ZERO and Ca' Foscari University of Venice. Funded by the European Community's Next Generation EU program under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), FFI is set to become a leader in Vertical Farming.
Offsite solutions emerge as fundamental pillars of the new edition of the MGDA, embodying the innovation and efficiency necessary to revolutionize modern urban architecture. These technologies are particularly relevant for "Vertical Farm" projects, where optimal thermal insulation becomes essential to maintain controlled environmental conditions that favor plant growth and the sustainability of structures.
Offsite systems allow for rapid assembly and significant reduction of construction waste, offering industrialized solutions that guarantee not only speed and efficiency but also superior quality control and consistent thermal insulation performance. This approach not only meets immediate practical and functional needs but also aligns with long-term goals of reducing environmental impact and increasing the energy efficiency of buildings.
The Manni Group Design Award once again surpasses the boundaries of traditional architecture to redefine the future of urban structures. This initiative emphasizes the importance of thinking globally while building locally, creating spaces that are productive, sustainable, and integrated into the urban ecosystem.
Manni Group continues to demonstrate its commitment to a more sustainable future, promoting dialogue between humans and nature through innovative architecture. As we eagerly await the participants' proposals, it is clear that the sixth edition of the Manni Group Design Award will be a turning point for contemporary architecture and its integration with the urban fabric.
Manni Group Design Award Cashprize | 15.000€
Each Team must include at least one team member aged from 18 to 35
Early bird | 23/03/2025
MAterial Submission Deadline | 21/05/2025
Ambra, Performance Marketing Manager at Manni Group, develops digital marketing strategies with a focus on innovation in offsite construction and architectural design. With over 8 years of experience in digital marketing, she has coordinated the international launch of sustainable construction systems and the digitisation of the industry. Specialised in lead generation and data analysis, she leads initiatives such as the Master in Offsite Technologies for Architecture and the international Manni Group Design Award Contest, enhancing the dialogue between manufacturers and designers to promote cutting-edge solutions.
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