Post by BRANZ

Future housing solutions start here💥 Today, 40 of New Zealand's top final-year students are in Christchurch for the #ArchEngBuild2026 Challenge - a fast-paced 72-hour design sprint that brings together future architects, engineers, landscape architects, construction managers and building scientists. This year's challenge, hosted by Ara Institute of Canterbury, tackles one of Aotearoa's biggest housing questions: 👉 How can we design affordable, high-quality homes that adapt, scale and remain resilient into the future? Over the next three days, multidisciplinary teams will design innovative housing that respond to real-world challenges while balancing affordability, quality, sustainability and resilience. Through the Building Research Levy, BRANZ funds and delivers ArchEngBuild to help emerging industry leaders collaborate across disciplines, test new ideas and tackle the complex challenges facing New Zealand's built environment. Today, the students took inspiration from expert mentors like Bob Burnett and a visit to the new One New Zealand Stadium. We're excited to see what these teams create. Keep an eye on our channels for updates throughout the week 👀 Ngā mihi to our sponsors: Concrete NZ | New Zealand Timber Design Society | Sustainable Steel Council | Naylor Love Ngā mihi to our supporters: New Zealand Institute of Architects | New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects Tuia Pito Ora (NZILA) | Engineering New Zealand Te Ao Rangahau | Building Institute Aotearoa | ACE New Zealand | Architectural Designers New Zealand #BRANZ #BuildingWithScience #FutureOfBuilding #Architecture