Cities Without Smog – Competition with TX Active

12 LOFTS in Prague

Environmental topics are coming at us from all sides, but their ideas are rarely brought to a meaningful conclusion with the possibility of practical application. Českomoravský cement, a.s., the successor company, has therefore agreed with significant partners and on January 11, 2011, announces the Smog-Free City Competition. This is an original initiative in the field of eco-construction, aimed at a broader professional as well as lay audience.

The competition itself is conceptual and consists of one round. It is organized in cooperation with the Czech Chamber of Architects, selected university faculties, and with the support of a number of media partners. The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports provides patronage for the Smog-Free City Competition. Its focus is primarily on students and those interested in fields such as architecture, construction, design, and fine arts.

The purpose of this competition is to raise general awareness of the possibilities of concrete products, surfaces, or specific objects that contain TX Active technology. This designation is assigned to building materials that can break down hazardous nitrogen oxides produced, for example, by vehicular traffic, and convert them into health-safe substances. Furthermore, these materials have self-cleaning properties.
Products with the unique TX Active technology can be used for buildings made of exposed concrete, as well as for the production of components such as roofing tiles, concrete pavements, noise barriers, etc. The essence of the positive ecological properties of TX Active technology is the cement containing a photocatalyst, which accelerates the decomposition of dirt through the natural action of light (more at: www.txactive.cz).

Dives in Misericordia Church in Rome

The task of the participants is to create a design for a concrete object using TX Active technology. This object is understood to be anything that can be placed anywhere in a public space. For example, in a park, square, street, or road, and so on.
Participants must submit their designs by February 25, 2011. The official announcement of the results of the competition and the public voting will take place on April 13, 2011, at the Brno Building Fair.

All designs that meet the competition conditions will be displayed on publicly accessible competition pages: www.bezsmogu.cz. Here, public voting for the best design will also take place, and its author will be awarded a sum of 10,000 CZK. Several individuals from the voters will be drawn to win attractive prizes from the Apple brand. One of the prizes will be the popular iPhone. The competition can also be followed through Facebook.

The competition will be evaluated by an independent expert jury composed of significant personalities who are recognized authorities in their fields, as well as representatives from the organizing company.

Composition of the jury:

Regular jury members:
Ing. Jan Hrozek – Chairman of the Board of Českomoravský cement, a.s., successor company
Mgr. Daniel Piršč - Designer
Ing. arch. Ludvík Grym – Authorized Architect
Gábina Páralová – Fashion Designer
MgA. Pavla Kačírková – Sculptor

Alternate jury members:
Ing. arch. Markéta Veselá – Authorized Architect
Miroslav Příkopa – Head of Marketing and Communication, Českomoravský cement, a.s., successor company

Awards will be given to the three best designs as follows:
1st place award of 50,000 CZK
2nd place award of 20,000 CZK
3rd place award of 10,000 CZK

Bell Tower of Dalton State College in the USA

Umberto I Tunnel in Italy