Our world is changing fast, while ambitions and challenges match in importance. In this context, design can play a huge role. How do we imagine the world to be? What range of possibilities we haven’t discovered yet? What’s a Non-Architecture for a World in crisis? In 2020 we started the second phase of competitions to address the issues of tomorrow. The HEALING – Alternative Designs for Quarantine Cities is one of the Non Architecture “Pandemic Society” competitions.
Cities have historically been hubs for ideas, commerce, culture, science, productivity, social connections and much more. While being the core of global development, they have faced considerable challenges, becoming the main stage to experience tangible consequences of our society’s biggest criticalities, like scarcity of resources, climate change, natural disasters, health, ecosystems loss, epidemics, education, crime and poverty.
In this competition we ask you come up with visionary concepts for alternative urban life in relation to the COVID-19 emergency. You are asked to reimagine urban life through a variety of creative design concepts and ideas.
This containment period forced us to drastically reconsider our lifestyle and priorities. We had to reduce to the absolute minimum the amount of activities and interactions while our environmental impact seemed to be reducing. International media broadcasted images of wildlife taking over empty cities, and, with drastic travelling reduction, also pollution levels appeared to be lower than usual.
How can we use quarantine to adopt a healthier and less impactful way of living? How can we make sure that the few benefits of a slow lifestyle are preserved after this time? What new normality is ahead?
Submission can address some of these questions. The proposal submitted could be a device, piece of furniture, interior design project, pavilion, building, urban plan or something different. Scale of intervention, program dimensions, and location are not given, and they can be arranged by the participants to better suit their design.
Non Architecture Competitions will award two winners, one selected by each juror, and a total of 6 honourable mentions.
WINNERS (2 PRIZES)
1.000 euros worth in gift cards from one of the major online shops chosen by the winner
publication in the Non Architecture Competitions books and website
reviews in digital magazines and several architecture blogs
HONOURABLE MENTIONS (6 PRIZES)
publication in the Non Architecture Competitions books and website
reviews in digital magazines and several architecture blogs
FINALISTS (42 PRIZES)
publication in the Non Architecture Journal
SPECIAL PRIZE
The organization might establish additional special prizes and awards during the competition development and in the evaluation phase.
JURY
The jury will be formed by the following members:
Maura Ambrosiano – Associate Partner at Foster & Partners
Enno Zuidema – Director and Urban Planner at MVRDV
CALENDAR AND PRICING
18 May – 14 June – Early registration period (55€)
15 June – 18 July – Regular registration period (70€)
19 July – 16 August – Late registration period (80€)
17-22 August – Last minute registration (100€)
10 August – Submission opens
21-27 Sept – Winners announcement
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