TZCC 2026: Judging Criteria

Entrant's question:

I note that judging criteria is listing in the introductory document, is there a weighting to each or matrix as such?

Response:

Judging Criteria: 

Judging to be assessed against how well the design entry meets the following criteria.

Judges to score each of the below characteristics on a scale of 1-5.

Mark out of 5:   3 meets the challenge. 5 exceptionally quick payback.  1 poor payback.

The Challenge:

Does the home satisfy the brief and the 2050 challenge?  

Consideration should be given to:

·       What year does the house break even?  

·       If it doesn't meet the challenge, how close did the entry come? 

·       Are the numbers presented by the entrants realistic?

Sustainable Innovation:

Is the solution a sustainable one?

Consideration should be given to:

·       Have passive solar design principles for the climate zone been well used to maximise thermal performance?  

·       How well is the design predicted to perform thermally?  What is its rating?

·       Does design and material selection work together for low carbon outcomes?  

·       Is durability and maintenance over life considered?  

·       Has end of life and circular economy thinking been considered?  

·       Are broader sustainability initiatives (beyond carbon) considered/included?  

·      Spatial efficiency and adaptability

·       Is this a design that represents an exciting new direction in sustainability for our suburbs? 

Materials:

Have entrants been able to justify material choices?

Consideration should be given to:

·       Embodied carbon

·       Durability

·       Low maintenance/replacement & therefore lower embodied carbon potential during use phase

·       Inclusion of recycled materials, or materials that are recyclable at end of life, or fit with broader circular economy goals

·       Minimisation of Resource use

·       Minimisation of Habitat loss

·       Minimisation of pollution issues beyond CO2.

Liveability:

Does the house allow families to evolve and thrive?  

Consideration should be given to:

·       Do the rooms and spaces interact well with each other?

·       Have space and resources been efficiently used?  

·       Do spaces connect visually with the outdoors, and harmonise well to the yard?

·       Is ventilation considered and practical? 

·       Have low VOC and Indoor air quality been considered? 

·       Has landscaping been considered, and integrated into the design, and have sustainable initiatives been employed? 

·       Will the internal layout work well for family members as families age?  

·       Has accessibility been considered?

·       Does the design support good health outcomes?

·       Does the design consider future resilience?

Desirability:

Will people want it?

Consideration should be given to:

·       Is this a house to fall in love with?

·       Does it involve creativity and ingenuity?

·       Does it capture the zeitgeist of a future where the built environment is in harmony with the natural environment?

·       Is it likely to be affordable (realistic to budget) and achievable?

·       How well do practical functionality and beauty of the home meld?

·       Is the design likely to make a difference to our approach in the way we design, build and live in our homes going forward?