Ingersoll Rand, a world leader in creating and sustaining safe, comfortable and efficient environments in partnership with CII, has announced the Sustainable Habitat Challenge, as part of the CII Industrial Innovation Grand Challenge. The competition that provides an open innovation platform for participants including designers, architects, students and professionals, invites entries for Sustainable Technologies for Model Habitats in Emerging Economies.

The Sustainable Habitat program is an initiative of Ingersoll Rand by which it is collaborating with the larger community to help design a solution that will innovatively address the housing needs of emerging economies while optimizing both natural and financial resources. By virtue of this challenge, the company will integrate and implement creative ideas and innovative concepts to build a set of low cost dwellings at their campus in Bangalore that will utilize sustainable materials, solar technologies, water conservation, sanitation, security, remote health services, data management and other eco-friendly interventions.

"Ingersoll Rand is focused on sustainability and creating positive environments in the communities where we are present. Our vision is to create and sustain safe, comfortable and efficient environments that advance the quality of life while driving sustainable progress for the society. Through our sustainable habitat initiative, we aim to collaborate with the larger community to design a solution that addresses the housing needs to create robust societies in emerging economies;" said Venkatesh Valluri, Chairman and President, Ingersoll Rand India.

Starting May 21, 2013, participants including students from design and engineering institutes will need to submit abstracts on technologies and ideas for the Sustainable Habitat by registering on the microsite http://www.sustainablehabitatchallenge.com.The entries thereafter will be reviewed by a panel comprising eminent jury members from the industry and academia. Selected participants will be given an opportunity to present their concept for a final evaluation.

The winner of the challenge will be announced on July 25, 2013 and will get an opportunity to build a set of low-cost dwellings on Ingersoll Rand campus in Bangalore. The low-cost dwelling will utilize sustainable materials, solar technologies, water sanitation technologies, hygiene creation trainings and security solutions.