Bishkek – On 12 February 2024, IOM, Union of Architects and Unison Group named the winners of the open competition for the development of standard architectural plans for the construction of energy-efficient houses within the project on Promoting the inclusion of internal migrants in the process of green renovation in Kyrgyzstan supported by the IOM Development Fund.

The competition was open to qualified and experienced individuals as well as architectural and design companies from Kyrgyzstan and abroad.

The aim of this competition was to select the best design proposal for a residential building that meets the criteria of green renovation.

Basic requirements for green houses:

• Energy-efficient: the design should aim to achieve a zero-energy balance, which means that the house produces as much energy as it consumes annually, or even generates excess energy that can be returned to the grid or stored for future use.
• Sustainable: the design should incorporate environmentally friendly materials and technologies such as recycled or biodegradable materials, rainwater harvesting, wastewater recycling, composting, etc., and should minimize the environmental impact of the house during its life cycle, from construction to demolition.
• Affordable: the design should be affordable to most of the population and should reduce the cost of operating and maintaining the house by using durable and efficient recyclable materials and common engineering systems.

The competition also promoted the practical use by architects of the latest world achievements in the field of energy-efficient, sustainable, and environmental low-rise homestead construction.

Three types of plots were proposed for design:

1. Small-sized plot (homestead) with an area of 4 hectares (400 sq.m.). The total area of the dwelling house is up to 100 sq.m.
2. Medium-sized plot (estate) of 6 hectares (600 sq.m.). The total area of the residential house up to 120 sq.m..
3. Large-sized plot (estate) of 8 hectares (800 sq.m.). The total area of the dwelling house up to 140 sq.m.

The design needed to be oriented to the conditions of Bishkek, taking into account that these houses can be built in any regions of Kyrgyzstan with similar conditions.

On 30 January 2024, the Jury consisting of experienced architects and experts from the Union of Architects of the Kyrgyz Republic, State Institute of Earthquake Resistant Construction and Engineering Design, IOM, Unison Group, etc. summed up the results of the first stage of the competition for the best design of a series of low-rise residential houses of homestead type for the conditions of Kyrgyzstan.

16 applications were submitted for participation in the competition. The selection was carried out in accordance with the terms of the competition and in order to ensure the objectivity of the evaluation of works, the projects were submitted under individual ciphers expressed by a four-digit set of numbers, placed in the upper right corner of all materials. Also, sealed envelopes under the code, containing information about the author, electronic versions of the project on a CD disc in JPG format were received.

All submitted works were carefully reviewed and evaluated by our jury. Thus, the projects with the highest scores passed to the second stage under the following numbers: 0077; 1140; 8884; 5211; 9051; 1707.

On 12 February 2024, the second stage of the competition was held in Bishkek. The participants were invited to an additional defense of their works.

As a result, the prizes were determined according to the points received.

1st place - 200,000 Kyrgyz soms

Number: 0077

Kariyev Beisen

Rudenko Yulia

2nd place - 200,000 Kyrgyz soms

Number:1140

Zhunushova Saikal

3rd place - 200,000 Kyrgyz soms

Number: 8884

Kadyraliev Munarbek

Nazirbaev Bayel

Ulanova Kulpunai

Tulanbek kyzy Aizhamal

Architectural Studio “Munarbek Kadyraliev”

Level Architects

“Modulor” Ltd.

Consolation prizes of 50 000 Kyrgyz soms each

Number: 5211

Konurbaev Emil

Zhumashev Sanzhar

Number: 9051

Bermanov Bekzat

Abdymamat uulu Adilet

Appasov Dastan

Sheripbekov Renat

Number: 1707

Turdakunov Kenzhebek

Bektur uulu Barsbek

Bermet Moldobaeva, Head of Office of the International Organisation for Migration in Kyrgyzstan, noted the importance and relevance of the competition.

“In Kyrgyzstan, not everyone builds energy-efficient houses. Mostly migrants build large houses in which no one lives afterwards. We intend to save their resources, considering the environmental standards of our cities and villages. In addition, not everyone can afford to hire an architectural firm to design a house for them. Therefore, this competition is a great opportunity for our citizens,” said Bermet Moldobaeva.

Maksatbek Moldomyrzaev, Deputy Director of the State Agency for Architecture, Construction and Housing under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic, added that the agency is ready to provide all possible assistance. “Holding such a competition is a great help for the construction sector of Kyrgyzstan. For our part, we can post all 3 projects on the website of the State Construction Committee so that everyone can familiarise themselves with them, it will help all citizens,”- he stated.

President of Unison Group, Nurzat Abdyrasulova emphasized that after the implementation of all architectural ideas and technical requirements a multiplier effect will be achieved.

“This is the first time such a contest of energy-efficient houses is held in Kyrgyzstan. A contract will be drawn up with the winners, the work will be organised clearly according to the estimate, considering all components of the project. In addition, we plan to train architects on the norms of environmental construction, taking into account earthquake resistance,"- Nurzat Abdyrasulova added.

This competition will not only contribute to the development of energy-efficient houses in Kyrgyzstan, but also promote the introduction of advanced technologies and energy efficiency standards in the construction industry.

The creation of model architectural plans for energy-efficient houses is a key step towards sustainable construction, given the importance of reducing carbon emissions and optimizing resource use.