A key component of the Living Steel programme has been its global sustainable architectural competitions. Presenting architects with a unique opportunity to share their visions for innovative and responsible housing design and construction and then bring them to life through demonstration constructions, the competition calls for designs to respond to some of the world's most challenging climates.

Living Steel's second architectural competition, launched on World Architecture Day 2007, ignited global interest among the world's leading architects with more than 1,100 entrants from 88 countries having submitted Expressions of Interest this year.

The latest competition required architects to submit designs that responded to the housing needs and climates of Recife, Brazil, Wuhan City, China, and a Thames Gateway location in the United Kingdom. The submissions embraced the sustainable housing theme with innovative and appropriate designs for a variety of climates.

Competition entries demonstrated environmental sustainability through their design concepts, construction management, liveability, and the recyclability of steel following its life span. Rainwater capturing systems and heating or cooling mechanisms to optimise energy efficiency were two areas considered by most of the 2007 entries. Following are just a few examples from our 18 short-listed entries:

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