The AIANH High School Design Challenge consists of designing a specific project, which changes every year. The program requires students to work on a theoretical project throughout the school year under the guidance of their instructors. AIANH volunteer architects visit the schools when possible to give critiques before the submissions are due. The program involves a design solution, a three-dimensional model, and a graphic plan of the project. Students have designed a Sustainable Youth Education Pavilion for a fictitious America’s Cup in Portsmouth, NH; a Sustainable Living and Innovation Center; a Performing Arts Center; a Social and Media Center; a Youth Enrichment Center dedicated to the development of alternative studies for high school students and a Welcome Center at Monadnock State Park.

All New Hampshire high school students are encouraged to participate. Students can work individually or in teams of up to three students. Top winners receive cash awards.

2025 Challenge: We Need Housing!

New Hampshire has a shortage of housing for all demographics, but particularly young individuals and families. The housing supply is limited but housing demand is on the rise, making it more expensive than ever to buy and even rent a home. And on top of that, global warming and the cost of utilities has made it more expensive to build, maintain and operate a home. We can’t afford to keep eliminating natural resources and habitats. Our environment is critical to helping offset global warming. Our forests and landscapes need to be preserved. So, what can we do?

This year’s challenge is to develop Phase I of a small community, or neighborhood, with the goals of affordability, sustainability, and livability. This concept has been around for decades; sometimes referred to as “Cohousing”. Create a place where people can share resources, share spaces, socialize, feel safe, work together, live together, thrive together.

Participation Requirements:

Every participant must be a current high school student in the state of New Hampshire or any high school student who is a resident of New Hampshire. Students may work individually or in teams. Teams may not consist of more than three students. 

Students are registered by their instructors or a school mentor who will oversee the student project.

Deadlines:

January 10 - Register for the challenge
January 13 - Students may begin working on the challenge
March 14 - Project submissions are due
April tbd - Awards event (details forthcoming)

For all the details on the challenge and how to register, please download this Design Challenge Brief.

Challenge Docs for participants:
siteplan.pdf
siteplan.dwg