The 2017 Build Challenge was held October 5–9 and 12–15, 2017, in Denver, Colorado, at the 61st & Peña Station on the University of Colorado A line commuter rail (connecting Denver International Airport to downtown Union Station).
Eleven teams competed to design, build, and operate the most cost-effective, efficient, and attractive house that was able to be transported and reassembled in Denver.
The Swiss Team won the overall competition with their entry, NeighborHub. It was the first entry for this combined team of École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, School of Engineering and Architecture Fribourg, Geneva University of Art and Design, and the University of Fribourg.
The 2017 competition was enhanced with challenging new contests to emphasize:
- Innovation
- Water use and re-use strategies
- Smart energy use
- Market potential.
In addition, the 2017 competition emphasized:
- Cost-effective architectural and engineering design
- Energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, appliances, and electronics
- Occupant health and comfort
- Communications.
For the first time in the event's history, teams were eligible for cash prizes. Each team that successfully built a house at the competition site would receive at least $100,000 for rising to the challenge, and top finishers would receive significantly more.