PREMISE
The RIDGE AVE: URBAN BENCH design competition challenges individuals or teams of architects, designers, builders, or students to design a new urban bench for bus stops along Ridge Avenue - a major off-grid avenue connecting the northwest neighborhoods of Philadelphia to the busy city center. Along with the competition, FNDC has developed an active commercial redevelopment strategy and a comprehensive neighborhood plan (www.francisvillendc.org).

TIMELINE
June 24           Competition Announcement
July 20            Registration Deadline @ 11:59pm EST ($15 fee)
August 8         Submission Deadline for Entries - Digitally & at the Center for Architecture
August 19       Announcement of Winning Entries at Exhibition Opening & Reception
Aug15 - Sept 3       Exhibition of Submitted Entries at the Center for Architecture
September 4   Entry Pick-up

REGISTRATION
All teams must register online by 11:59pm EST on July 20, 2011. This competition has an entry fee of $15 per individual/team that will be contributed to the construction of the RIDGE AVE: URBAN BENCH. An information packet with details will be emailed to each team upon registration. Questions may be emailed to: assocaia.designcompetitions@gmail.com.

Online Registration: http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e3uu84j1eb2a1e55&llr=vjjlyfdab

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Entries are to be one foam-core board sized at 24 x 36 inches, oriented landscape or portrait, with images and text conveying your design intent. Medium, technique, and vantage point of drawings may be determined by the entrant. Design should take constructability into account and consider a material palette that may withstand daily usage on a public urban street. Teams shall consider a budget of $500 for construction materials for each bench in their design entries. Design considerations may include planters and trash receptacles. These are neither mandatory nor limits for the design.

Models are welcome for inclusion in the exhibition at the Center for Architecture, but space is limited. All pieces must be mobile and easily removed from the space. Models built at  scale are preferred (1” : 4”). If you are submitting a physical model, you must drop off your model at the Center for Architecture at the same time as your physical board.

SUBMISSION PROCESS
Entrants must submit a digital version of their 24” x 36” board in PDF form to assocaia.designcompetitions@gmail.com by August 8, 2011 at 11:59PM EST.

Physical boards must be dropped off to the Center for Architecture (1218 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19107) no later than 6:00pm on August 8, 2011. The assigned registration number should be clearly visible in the bottom right corner on the back of the entry board and the underside of the model.

AWARDS
First Prize:
$500 and the opportunity to construct two benches at prominent locations along Ridge Avenue
Second Prize:
$100 and $50 gift certificate to a local restaurant TBD
Third Prize:
$50 gift certificate to a local restaurant TBD

JURY
Jurors will include members from the PSRC, FNDC, AIA Philadelphia Associate Committee, and local fabricators.

Online registration: http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e3uu84j1eb2a1e55&llr=vjjlyfdab