THE BUCKMINSTER FULLER CHALLENGE:
A DESIGN SCIENCE REVOLUTION ENTRY CRITERIA

Buckminster Fuller’s prolific life of exploration, discovery, invention and teaching was driven by his intention “to make the world work for 100% of humanity, in the shortest possible time, through spontaneous cooperation  without ecological offense or disandvantage of anyone”.

Fuller coupled this intention with a pioneering approach aimed at solving complex problems. This approach, which he called comprehensive anticipatory design science (CADS), combined an emphasis on individual initiative and integrity with whole systems thinking, scientific rigor and faithful reliance on nature’s underlying principles.

Since 2008, the Buckminster Fuller Institute has awarded a $100,000 prize annually to the best example of Fuller’s legacy that we can find.

The Buckminster Fuller Challenge seeks solutions that are:

  • Comprehensive – applies a whole systems approach to all facets of the design process, aiming to simultaneously address multiple goals, requirements, conditions and issues.
  • Anticipatory – factoring in critical future trends and needs as well as projected impacts of implementation in the short and long term
  • Ecologically Responsible – reflecting nature’s underlying principles while enhancing the Earth’s life-support systems
  • Feasible – relying on current know-how, technology and existing resources
  • Verifiable – able to withstand rigorous emperical testing – and
  • Replicable – able to scale and adapt to a braod range of conditions

Challenge Poster

Semifinalist BMC Poster

Savory Institute BMC Poster

MIT BMC Poster

John Todd BMC Poster

Blue Ventures BMC Poster

Living Building BMC Poster