Ice Box Challenge Asunción 2025
March 2025
WHAT IS THE ICE BOX CHALLENGE?
It is a global event, organized in Asunción by the Paraguay Green Building Council and the Latin American Passivhaus Institute, who join forces to challenge Paraguayan construction standards and take part in the worldwide #IceBoxChallenge, a high-impact scientific experiment aimed at raising awareness about the importance of sustainable construction and energy efficiency in the fight against climate change.
The event consists of the installation of three boxes built with different technical standards, each containing a 1m³ block of ice. These boxes will remain closed and exposed to the sun for 10 days, allowing observers to witness the difference in ice melt based on the construction characteristics of each structure.
Why is this challenge crucial for Paraguay?
In a context where energy consumption in buildings continues to rise, it is essential to promote construction methods that reduce the need for artificial climate control. The Ice Box Challenge Asunción 2025 will provide a visual and tangible demonstration of how materials and construction techniques can improve quality of life, lower energy costs, and contribute to the fight against climate change.
Join us from March 19 to March 29, 2025, at the Shopping del Sol esplanade, an iconic and highly visited location in Asunción, the capital of Paraguay.
Companies that join the challenge
SUPPORT
MEDIA PARTNERS
DESIGN CONTEST
For the implementation of this project, a design contest was launched, in which students from Architecture and Engineering programs at prestigious universities in the country participated. The designs were evaluated by judges from renowned institutions such as Lancaster University, Strathclyde University in Glasgow, and the University of Edinburgh, as well as local experts in sustainable construction.
The winning project was developed by:
María Paz Benítez, Vanessa Paiva, and Daniel Tseng from the Faculty of Architecture, along with Cielo Jiménez and Inés Ortellado from the Faculty of Civil Engineering at the Universidad Católica Nuestra Señora de la Asunción.
Each box will be built following different technical standards:
- The first box will be constructed using traditional materials that represent Paraguayan construction.
- The second box will be built based on the National Standards of the INTN Anaconda Institute of Technology and Standardization, and promoted by the PYGBC.
- The third box will be constructed according to the Passivhaus Standard, an international benchmark for energy efficiency.
ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE
Join the #IceBoxChallengeAsunción with your company or institution. You can also sign up for the Green Talks sessions or participate in the challenge for a chance to win great prizes!
OPENING
THURSDAY 20TH
11:00 AM
- Reception of the press and guests.
- Media interviews.
- Photographs of those present for social media and the media.
11:15 AM - PROTOCOLAR ACT
- Welcome remarks from the organizing committee of the Paraguay Green Building Council and the Latin American Passivhaus Institute.
- A summary presentation of the challenge, a schedule of talks, and activities to be held in the coming days.
- Remarks from the students in charge of the project design.
TALK SCHEDULE - "ICE BOX TALKS"
FRIDAY 21ST - 6:30 PM
Signify / Luminotecnia
“Actions to Improve Lighting Efficiency and Sustainability”
Cassa
“Future-proof carpentry”
TUESDAY 25TH - 6:30 PM
CCI S.A.
“Sustainable Buildings: Construction and the Experience of Those Who Live There”
LP
“LP Product Presentation”
AGPAR
“The importance of openings within the Passivhaus”
WEDNESDAY 26TH - 6:30 PM
Salum&Wenz
“Sustainable Construction | From Project Design and Execution to Profitability”
AGB Constructora
“Credits and technologies used to achieve LEED certification”
THURSDAY 20TH - 6:30 PM
Greenway
“Construction 4.0: Innovate to Advance”
Forestal Caaguazú
“Wood, the material of the future”
Vilux
“The importance of correctly specifying glass for sustainable construction”
Arke
“Practical Examples of Energy Efficiency in Paraguay”
The Ice Cube Challenge
You can also place your bet by guessing how much ice will remain in each box and win great prizes!
Important Information
How works?
Each box has a window where the progress of the melting ice blocks can be seen.
Participant
Participants will be able to join the challenge both at the physical exhibition location of the boxes and through social media.
Mechanics
During the exhibition days, clues and follow-up games will be shared to maintain interaction and build anticipation around the challenge.
Ice Box Challenge
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
This event in Asunción is co-organized by the Paraguay Green Building Council (PYGBC) and the Latin American Passivhaus Institute (ILAPH)
.
Both civil organizations promote the development of energy-efficient and comfortable buildings to create a positive environmental impact by implementing more responsible practices in the construction sector.
The Paraguay Green Building Council is committed to raising awareness and leading the transformation toward sustainable building by promoting responsible practices and resource preservation.
We offer training and technical education, develop public policies and incentives through national and international certifications, and encourage technological innovation to achieve efficient resource use and improve the quality of life, health, and well-being of individuals and their communities.
ILAPH is an open Latin American ecosystem that brings together all the stakeholders involved in the construction and building sector to work towards improving the quality and health of buildings.
Ice Box Challenge
THE CHALLENGE AROUND THE WORLD
The global Passivhaus community challenges building codes around the world to raise awareness about the Passivhaus standard and its benefits.
Be part of it
Join the #IceBoxChallengeAsunción, whether with your company or institution. You can also register for the Green Talks or take part in the challenge for a chance to win great prizes!