Professional and aspiring architects, product developers and other innovators are invited to submit entries to the third annual Lifecycle Building Challenge, a competition that seeks the best designs for structures and products that minimize waste, cut greenhouse gas emissions and maximize reuse of materials.

Lifecycle Building Challenge 3 is sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, American Institute of Architects, West Coast Green, the Collaborative for High Performance Schools, StopWaste.Org, and WasteCap Wisconsin.

Preliminary contest guidelines were posted this month, registration begins in March and entries are due August 30.

Professionals and students in the U.S. are eligible to compete in the online contest, which accepts built and unbuilt designs in two key categories: entire buildings from foundation to roof and building products or materials. Recognition for winners includes publication of top entries in national journals and publicity at conferences.

The competition will also recognize entries deemed the Best Greenhouse Gas Reduction Design and the Best School Design.

More information about the contest, including a listing of past winners, is available at http://www.lifecyclebuilding.org.