Builders, designers and architects get ready for the competition of the year! The 2010 Florida Carbon Challenge will kickoff from 4 to 7 p.m. today at RiverTown, a St. Joe Company community.

Hosted by the APA The Engineered Wood Association and Raised Floor Living, the 2010 Florida Carbon Challenge is a Florida design competition that challenges builders, designers and architects to design a home with the lowest carbon footprint, or the least CO2 emissions. More than $10,000 in cash prizes will be awarded to the winners of the competition, which will be based on the design’s carbon score, cost effectiveness and meeting the architectural standards of a typical Florida development.

Everyone interested in the competition is invited to join in the challenge today from 4 to 7 p.m. at RiverTown, located at 39 Riverwalk Blvd., in St. Johns off State Road 13. The kickoff event will provide builders, designers and architects with details about entering the competition, including design requirements and rules. The event will include a live band, food, giveaways and a beer tent.

The event is sponsored by APA The Engineered Wood Association, Raised Floor Living, Advanced Housing Research Center: Forest Products Lab, Northeast Florida Builders Association Wood Council, Florida Wood Council, St. Joe Company, Southern Forest Products Association, and Forest Products of Canada. More information about the event is available at www.apawood.org/carbonchallenge/ or by calling RiverTown at (904) 301-4476.

The Florida Carbon Challenge will showcase some of the region’s foremost designers, builders and architects. We hope to see you there!