ARCHITECTURE FOR HUMANITY CHARLESTON is pleased to announce the chapter’s first open design competition. The competition will be held between June 10th and October 10th and will conclude with an exhibition at the AIA South Carolina Exhibition October 21-23.

THE CHALLENGE

We invite you to participate in Charleston South Carolina’s continuing legacy of preservation and sustainability. As a basis for exploration, the HUB design competition proposes that a new light rail system has been established that will provide a connection between Charleston’s downtown peninsula and its surrounding communities. Entrants to the competition are challenged to design the two major components of the new transit system:

The Downtown Transit HUB:

The new downtown transit hub is a mixed-use building that will be located within the heart of the Charleston peninsula. The building will provide services for light rail, bus riders, cyclists, pedestrians and will also address the growing need for community meeting space, affordable retail and office space. We have chosen an underused site in a prominent location adjacent to the Charleston City Visitor Center on Meeting Street.

The Node Transit Station:

The node transit station is a prototypical design that will be located at various locations throughout the Charleston Lowcountry. It is a modestly scaled structure that will serve the new light rail system and the existing bus system.

The two designs should collaborate to create a system of cohesive recognizable nodes for tourists and residents. The HUB is an idea’s competition geared towards the generation of innovative thoughts and solutions that will spark debate and help in the advancement of this rich culture. It will occur in a single stage, aimed towards identifying the most appropriate proposal that responds to the competition’s goals and objectives.

The HUB Design Competition aims to:

• Further research into the development of light rail and future sustainable development in Charleston.
• Raise awareness to the needs of our diverse community.
• Serve as a tool for exhibiting the power of design and exhibiting the innovative ideas of the emerging generation of designers.

ELGIBILITY

Open to professionals and students in the field of architecture, urban design and landscape architecture.

SCHEDULE

Competition Launch: June 10, 2010
Registration Opens: June 24, 2010
Questions/Clarifications Deadline: September 13, 2010
Registration Deadline: September 13, 2010
Submission Deadline: October 10, 2010
Jury Evaluation: October 11-20, 2010
Winners Announced: October 21, 2010
Exhibition - AIA SC Conference: October 21-23, 2010
Exhibition - Charleston: TBD

ENTRY FEE

Students: $20 US
Professionals: $40 US

PRIZES

1st Prize: $1250 US
2nd Prize: $500 US
3rd Prize: $250 US
Honorable Mentions

JURY

Cameron Sinclair
Ray Huff, AIA
Frank Harmon, FAIA
Jane Frederick, AIA
Eddie Bello, AIA

CONTACT

Steve Ramos - afhcharleston.competition@gmail.com

WEBSITE

http://www.afhcharleston-competition.com/