The future of Competitions - TELL THEM WHAT THEY NEED

The future of Competitions - TELL THEM WHAT THEY NEED

Historically the architectural competition has been a testing ground for new ideas. It was understood as a space in which research and development, as well as the creation of critical architectural proposals, were possible. Today, competition architecture has increasingly become a service provision for the jury and a fulfillment of the technical requirements of the brief - in other words, simply what is needed to win the competition.

Needs are generating ideas whereas ideas should be generating needs. The outcome is often predictable and conventional, stripping competitions of their significance as a critical tool.

>>> download competition flyer (pdf)

Stimulus

• What needs to be changed, and how, in order to make competitions once again a tool for generating new ideas?
• What can be changed to improve the interaction between commissioner, client and end-user in the competition process?
• How do the mechanisms of competitions affect the built environment?
• What is the potential of architecture competitions?

THIS TIME YOU ASK THE QUESTIONS AND YOU GIVE THE ANSWERS

This competition attempts to instigate change by challenging the established in a critical but constructive manner. Join us by contributing the questions not yet asked!
There are no fixed requirements regarding submitted material. Entries could be in the form of a text, manifesto, collage, illustration, SMS, image, fax,  diagram, installation, paper architecture, runners up, brief, historical material, etc. The essential idea is to explore the potential of the architectural competition - it is up to you how to communicate it. Please address the principle question of how to return to a condition where competitions
generate ideas rather than simply deliver solutions. The format and material should be in relation to the concept of your submission.
We challenge experienced architects to take part and share their perspective on the matter.

The jury

• Boris Brorman Jensen (DK), architect, associate professor Ärhus, Ph.D, Harvard fellow.
• Gary Bates (NO / USA), architect, teacher and curator, founding partner of Spacegroup
• Markus Miessen (GE / GBR), professor, architect, writer, curator, founding partner of nOffice and Studio Miessen.

The entries will be judged anonymously.

Submitted material should reach us by the 1st of November

[email protected]
CONDITIONS ANS, Fjordveien 3, 0139 Oslo, Norway
T: +47 97183747
Questions: [email protected]

1st prize

2.500 eur

Winner & Runner-ups will:

• be published in a special competition issue of CONDITIONS
• take part in a Scandinavian exhibition
• take part in a dialogue how to implement your ideas