What does the word ‘basic’ mean? Fundamental, critical, essential, necessary - all these synonyms illustrate the significance of its meaning. Architecturally, we often associate the term with the primitive, the vernacular, even the banal. However, we sometimes forget to take into consideration the relative and temporal nature of the term. What was considered ‘basic’ in the 1900s was a radically different paradigm from what we consider as ‘basic’ today.
Update: The deadline has been extended to January 4, 2016.
The creation of the Erie Canal was a paradigm shift for American progress in the 19th century, leveraging hundreds of miles of canal networks capable of generating cities out of swamps and ushering in a new era of exchange. Over a century later, what was the Erie Canal through Central New York has been capped over with urban development and sprawl. We are now presented with the opportunity to reposition Erie as the vehicle for a globally relevant, ecologically turbocharged urban corridor. The Elevating Erie ideas competition seeks proposals that consider our current global biodiversity challenges in urbanized regions by developing solutions specific to the Erie Canalway Trail along Erie Boulevard East connecting DeWitt to Syracuse.
Young Architects Competitions (YAC) has launched their latest competition, asking international designers to imagine a new future for an abandoned Italian lighthouse by transforming it into a tourism facility. There is 15.000€ cash prizes for the winning proposals, and awarded proposals will be published on architectural magazines /websites / will be internationally exhibited.
Florim has launched a competition to design a temporary architectural installation that showcases images from relevant architectural works built with ceramics. This event will take place during the International Furnishing Accessories Exhibition in the very centre of Milan and the competition is open to designers, architects and creative communities worldwide. Learn more about the competition after the break.
In April, the world's "third smallest sovereign state" was established: Liberland. Established on a small patch of unclaimed land created by the border dispute between Croatia and Serbia, the new country founded on the principles of libertarianism is currently battling for international recognition - although as reported by The New York Times Magazine in August, this remains a steep uphill struggle. In spite of these challenges, the European micronation is seeking ideas through a global design competition on how to masterplan its seven-square-kilometer territory. Zaha Hadid Architects' Patrik Schumacher is one of the many experts that have been summoned to judge the proposals, of which aim to establish a "multi-stage" plan that will reflect Liberland's Libertarian and Anarcho-Capitalist values.
"Rather than purely fantastical or artistic schemes, Liberland seeks radically creative, yet mature proposals for a fertile, high-density city-nation of the 21st century, responsive to its advanced contemporary network society," says the competition brief.
The Urban Development Institute of Australia NSW office wants to create more affordable, connected and livable cities and it wants your help. The CityLife Project competition presents the opportunity for three organisations or research teams to partner with the UDIA NSW on research projects in exchange for cash and promotional opportunities worth up to $145,000 AUD each.
FuturArc Prize seeks forward-thinking, innovative design ideas for Asia. The Competition offers a platform to professionals and students who are passionate about the environment. Through the force of their imagination it aspires to capture visions of a sustainable future.
After the record breaking success of Fairy Tales 2015, with over 1,200 participants from 65 different countries, Blank Space is excited to announce that the third edition of the competition is now open for registration.
Launch of the international competition "Put in...your ideas!" for the design of a sustainable piece of furniture.
It's possible to participate until November 3rd 2015. The Associations Intubando, Itaca, LAN_Laboratorio di Architetture Naturali, Metriquali and Palo Futura advertise the international competition "Put in...your ideas!" for the design of a piece of furniture for the outdoor of the Urban Laboratory Rigenera in Palo del Colle (Italy). The competition is part of the project Ma.Te.Ri.A. - Materials and Techniques of Reuse for the Self-building, funded by the program "Laboratori Urbani - Mettici le mani" of the Region of Apulia.
