Registration Requirements | Submission Requirements
Rules | Commitments and Obligations
Registration Requirements
Everyone is welcome to participate in the Open Architecture Challenge regardless of professional status, job, sex, race, age or nationality. Entrants do not need to be licensed architects to participate and will be paired with a licensed architect if their designs are selected for construction. Designs may be submitted by an individual or by a team. There is no limit to the number of entries per person, or the number of teams with which an individual may participate.
Entrants must register to participate in the Open Architecture Challenge. Only registered entrants will have access to the competition criteria, design brief and other background information.
Please note: Each entry must be accompanied by an entry fee and must meet the requirements for submission outlined below.
Competition Launch: January 28, 2009
Registration Deadline: May 4, 2009
Submission Deadline: June 1, 2009
How to Register
In order to register for the competition, entrants must first join the Open Architecture Network at http://www.openarchitecturenetwork.org.
The deadline for competition registration is Friday, May 4, 2009 at Midnight Pacific Standard Time (PST). The cost of registering is $25 per entry. The registration fee may be waived in certain cases (see "Registration Fees" below).
Once payment has been received, entrants will be redirected to the competition page on the Open Architecture Network. There they will have access to the competition criteria, design brief and other background information. They will also receive a confirmation email which will include their Entrant ID Number and a link to their entry page on the Open Architecture Network.
Team Entrants
One registered user must start the project and invite other team members. This individual is considered the Team Lead and will be the contact between designers and competition administrators for the purposes of communication. Please be certain to keep contact information for all team members current on the Open Architecture Network. You’d want to know if you won, right?
Student Entrants
Students and faculty are invited to work together and submit entries as a team or individually. For jurying purposes, each design is considered as a separate entry and a separate fee must be paid for each entry. Multiple designs will not be considered as a single entry.
Student work is juried alongside that of professionals, and jury members will not be advised of the difference. In the past, students have won competitions hosted on the Open Architecture Network by Architecture for Humanity. Student entrants must be willing to partner with a licensed architect if their design is selected for construction.
Please contact us, if you plan to pay multiple entry fees together. The registration system only supports one payment at a time.
Registration Fees
Waived Entry Fees
The registration fee for the Open Architecture Challenge: Classroom is waived for entries from developing countries and communities in need. Please refer to the World Bank for a list of Developing Countries. Qualifying entrants should contact us before registering. If an entrant is found to have abused this waiver and the entry fee is unpaid, their design may be disqualified.
Each Entry
$25: Registration Deadline is May 4, 2009
Online payments of the registration fees are accepted via PayPal, and the link can be found during your online registration process.
PayPal is the preferred method of payment. Receipts will be sent by email directly from PayPal to entrants. If you cannot use PayPal, please contact us.
You may mail a check or money order, but using these payment methods may cause a delay in registration. Payments by check or money order must be received on or before the registration deadline.
Checks or money orders should be made payable to:
Architecture for Humanity
(Please note Open Architecture Challenge: Classroom on the check)
848 Folsom St.
Suite 201
San Francisco, CA 94107 USA
Submission Requirements
File Upload Instructions
The period for work submission is January 28, 2009 – June 1, 2009.
Competition entrants must be members of the Open Architecture Network and register to enter the competition. Projects must be posted on the Open Architecture Network by June 1, 2009 at Midnight (PST) in order to be juried.
The submission should be original in content.
All entries must be submitted without identifying marks, including logos, text, insignia, or images on the display surface that could be used to identify the submission’s authors.
All digital files must be submitted to the “Files” tab of competition entries on the Open Architecture Network. All file names should include the Challenge Entry ID Number assigned during registration (e.g., [entrant ID number]_[imagename].jpg). Please contact us immediately if you are having trouble uploading your files.
Image format: All Required image files must be 3000 pixels x 2000 pixels (15in x 10in @ 200 DPI) in JPEG, PNG or GIF format. And the presentation board should be 24in x 36in at a minimum of 200dpi.
Units: All dimensions, though not required, should be in meters.
Files
- Project Description Text (REQUIRED)
All text on the entry must be included in the text field on the entry page and on a text file uploaded to the files tab. Project admins can add or change this text by clicking the edit button in the top left corner of the page. This should be a full description of your proposed design (200 word minimum), including a list of materials used in the construction of your proposed design.
The files should be named/saved as: [entrant ID number]_00_textdescription.doc
- Presentation Board @ 24"x36" (REQUIRED)
The presentation board should clearly display the entrant's approach. The classroom planning and design, approach to sustainability and material use should be included.
Additionally, the organizers will use this image as the primary board to display in exhibitions, publications and in community meeting in the field. This board MUST be the first image to appear in the slideshow for jurying purposes.
The file should be named/saved as: [entrant ID number]_01_mainboard (i.e. XXX_01_mainboard)
- Building Plan(s) (REQUIRED)
This building plan does not have to be to scale but should accurately portray the floor plan(s) of your proposed classroom. If you are proposing a multi-story classroom please include the respective number of building plan files.
The file should be named/saved as: [entrant ID number]_02_buildngplan_XX (i.e. XXX_02_buildingplan_01; XXX_02_buildingplan_02)
- Building Elevation(s) (REQUIRED)
This building elevation does not have to be to scale but should accurately portray the elevation(s) of your proposed classroom.
The file should be named/saved as: [entrant ID number]_03_elevation_XX (i.e. XXX_03_elevation_01; XXX_03_elevation_02)
- Building Section(s) (REQUIRED)
This building section does not have to be to scale but should accurately portray section(s) through your proposed classroom and show intended materials and lighting techniques.
The file should be named/saved as: [entrant ID number]_04_section_XX (i.e. XXX_04_section_1; XXX_04_section_2)
- Student feedback documentation (STONGLY RECOMMENDED)
As part of the Open Architecture Challenge, we are asking designers to work with students, teachers and schools to design the classroom of the future. We want to see how you engaged your class. Documentation may come in many different forms, including student artwork, video, photographs and completed questionnaires. You may submit images, text, video files, renderings, or any other file type supported by the Open Architecture Network.
The file(s) should be named/saved as: [entrant ID number]_05_participation_XX (i.e. XXX_05_participation_01; XXX_05_participation_02)
- CAD file (STRONGLY RECOMMENDED)
You can do either a 2D or 3D CAD file. If you are creating a two-dimensional drawing please include plans and elevations in the file. You and other users of the Open Architecture Network are able to view and comment on .DXF files inline using AutoDesk Freewheel.
Format: .DWG, .DXF or .SKP
The file should be named/saved as: [entrant ID number]_CAD (i.e. XXX_CAD)
- School/Site plan (OPTIONAL)
A plan of the school and/or site plan is not required. You may wish to include these drawings to show how you incorporated your classroom design into the context of your school.
The file should be named/saved as: [entrant ID number]_06_siteplan (i.e. XXX_06_siteplan)
- Additional Rendering and Supplemental Images (OPTIONAL)
Entrants are invited to submit not more than two supplemental files. There is no restriction on the style or content of supplemental images. For example, applicants may scan photos of a model, hand-drawn sketches, ink drawings, 3D computer graphic renderings, or web animations. There is no restriction on the style or content of documentation. Supplemental files must be uploaded to your project page on the Open Architecture Network. You may submit images, text, video files, renderings, or any other file type supported by the Open Architecture Network.
The file(s) should be named/saved as: [entrant ID number]_07_supplementalimage_01 and [entrant ID number]_07_supplementalimage_02 accordingly.
File List Synopsis
REQUIRED
[entrant ID number]_00_textdescription.doc
[entrant ID number]_01_mainboard
[entrant ID number]_02_buildingplan_XX
[entrant ID number]_03_elevation_XX
[entrant ID number]_04_section_XX
STRONGLY RECOMMENDED
[entrant ID number]_05_participation_XX
[entrant ID number]_CAD
OPTIONAL
[entrant ID number]_06_siteplan
[entrant ID number]_07_supplementalimage_XX
How to submit
Once you have gathered the required text and image files and uploaded them to the Open Architecture Network, you may make Edits and changes until the Submission Deadline.
Starting June 2, 2009 jury members will view submissions. Entrants will NOT be allowed to Edit any project details or files once they have been submitted to the jury. Editing may resume after the competition is complete and a winning design has been selected in the fall of 2009. If we have any trouble reading or opening your entry, competition organizers will notify you.
Rules
The purpose of this year’s Open Architecture Challenge is to invite teachers, students and design professionals to work together to design the classroom of the future for their school. To that end, we ask that all entrants read and agree to the rules before entering the competition. The rules are intended to make it possible for Architecture for Humanity to share all of designs submitted to the competition with those who could benefit most from them and—ultimately—to build one or more winning designs.
In submitting an entry to the Open Architecture Challenge: Classroom, all participants agree to comply with the rules and terms of entry below.
Eligibility
The Open Architecture Challenge: Classroom is an open, international competition. Direct employees and family members of employees of Architecture for Humanity and Orient Global are precluded from participating in the competition, but there are no other restrictions on who can enter. Architects, design professionals, non-professionals, professionals in other fields and students of all ages are encouraged to participate.
In order to enter the competition, entrants must register for the Open Architecture Network. Participants may submit an entry for one or more sites and may submit multiple entries for the same site. However, each entry must be accompanied by an entry fee.
For jurying purposes, each design is considered as a separate entry and a separate entry fee must be paid. Multiple designs will not be considered as a single entry.
Period of Submission
Entrants are invited to develop their design throughout the submission period. Once the submission period has ended, they will not be permitted to make changes to their entry until the jurying has concluded at which time entrants will regain access to their project and may continue to develop their design. Entries that are late, illegible, incomplete, misdirected or incompletely received will not be eligible.
The period of submission for the 2009 Open Architecture Challenge: Classroom is January 28,2009 – June 1, 2009. The competition organizers reserve the right to delay or extend the period of submission.
Anonymity and Design Credit
All files uploaded must be submitted without any markings that will identify team members in order to facilitate fair jurying of the competition. Building Plans, Building Elevations, Sections, Site Plans, Renderings and any other files submitted for consideration should not include title blocks or any other identifying information. Failure to comply with this rule will lead to disqualification.
This does not apply to the Project Details or "Edit Settings" area of each entry, which must be completed in full and must include the names and roles of all team members. Please note: Information entered in the Project Details or Project Settings area will be used to give proper credit to design team members.
Ownership and Copyright
By entering the competition, entrants agree to a) post entry materials to the Open Architecture Network and to the Terms of Use of the Open Architecture Network; b) to license all materials submitted under the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike license and to adhere to the terms of that license. Learn about the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike license. Please note, however, that to the extent these Rules conflict with the Terms of Use of the Open Architecture Network or the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike license, these Rules govern the competition.
Entrants shall own all design concepts, drawings, images, renderings, sketches, photographs, models, and/or text, documents, information or other materials submitted in association with the competition provided. However, the entrant hereby grants Architecture for Humanity and its designees perpetual, free, unrestricted use of the submission materials in fulfillment of its charitable purposes, including its annual report, its websites and in communications with volunteers, funders and the media and all other purposes specified in these Rules. Such use is expressly not directed toward commercial advantage or private monetary compensation.
The entrant further hereby grants Orient Global and its designees a perpetual, free, unrestricted license to use the submission materials in fulfillment of its social investment projects for the design and construction of upgrades to schools in the developing world and in its annual report, its websites and in communications with volunteers, funders and the media and all other purposes specified in these Rules.
Notwithstanding AFH’s and Orient Global’s rights as Licensors, competition entrants shall retain full rights to use the documents in other projects for commercial and for-profit purposes.
By entering this competition entrants warrant that all materials submitted by them are their own, that nothing in the submission of these materials will infringe the copyright or any other right of any person and that they have full authority to submit the materials for such purposes.
Exhibition and Publication
The organizers will exhibit selected entries to the Open Architecture Challenge during and after the competition. The results of the competition may be presented online, in galleries or other venues, or in a printed publication and all entries will be available to be viewed on the Open Architecture Network. Selected and Finalist entrants may be asked to build scale models representing their design and provide printed presentation boards for exhibition purposes.
In any exhibition, publication, or website, the organizers will make every effort to properly credit the appropriate competitors. Architecture for Humanity and its designees [and Orient Global] reserve the right to utilize materials submitted by entrants in any publication or promotional endeavor in perpetuity and free of charge (See "Ownership and Copyright").
Prizes and Awards
One entry will be selected as the winning design. The winning design team will receive an award of $5,000, the distribution of which will be conditioned upon the winning design team’s execution of a Grant Agreement prepared by Architecture for Humanity, the terms of which will be consistent with the purposes of the competition outlined above, and the disbursement of which will be subject to the terms of the Grant Agreement. The funds will be awarded to provide support to the wining design team in refining and/or implementing the winning design. (See "Commitments and Obligations" below.)
In addition, award funding of up to $50,000 will be awarded to the school associated with the wining design, the distribution of which will be conditioned upon the school’s execution of a Grant Agreement prepared by Architecture for Humanity, the terms of which will be consistent with the purposes of the competition outlined above, and the disbursement of which will be subject to the terms of the Grant Agreement. Funds must be used solely for the purpose of school design, construction and/or upgrading. Funds may not be applied to other school expenses such as administration expenses, teaching salaries or other non-construction related expenses. To be eligible, the school must be a primary or secondary school serving youth age 3-18 and must be operating in good standing in the community which it serves. University and other tertiary institutions are not eligible to receive funding.
In accepting the award, the entrant agrees to the commitments and obligations of the Finalists. Entrants selected as Finalists will be required to enter into a contract with Architecture for Humanity to further develop and implement their design and to sign a release in order to receive competition award monies. Architecture for Humanity reserves the right to implement the winning design concept with or without the involvement of the entrant, but will make all reasonable efforts to include the entrant in the implementation of the design.
Architecture for Humanity will make every reasonable effort to contact the winning entrant and notify the entrant of the award. In the event the winner chooses not to accept the funding award, cannot be contacted for any reason, or fails to respond to repeated notification attempts and/or emails within 14 days, the funding will be forfeited. In such an event, Architecture for Humanity may, but is not obligated to, award the prize monies to another entry in its sole discretion.
No substitution or transfer of prize monies will be allowed. Architecture for Humanity reserves the right not to award all prize monies in the event competition administrators receive an insufficient number of eligible entries that meet the minimum criteria as set forth as part of the competition guidelines.
Disputes
The jury has the sole authority and responsibility to recommend winners at the end of the competition. The organizers reserve the right to make a final decision regarding the winning design and any funding that may be made available for the development or implementation of designs entered into the competition. The competition administrators’ decisions in connection with all matters concerning the competition shall be final and binding.
Limitation of Liability
By entering the competition, all entrants and team members agree to indemnify, defend and hold Architect for Humanity including its chartered units, and its governors, directors, officers, employees, agents, partners, funders, sponsors and volunteers from and against any and all suits, claims, demands, liabilities, damages, costs and expenses (reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of or relating in any way to services it provides in connection with this agreement.
If you have any questions about the rules stipulated above, please do not hesitate to contact the competition administrators.
Commitments and Obligations
The goal of the Open Architecture Challenge: Classroom is to improve lives. In order to implement the winning designs, we rely on the commitment and support of the entrants. Design teams selected as finalists must be willing to commit time and energy in partnership with Architecture for Humanity to develop--and ultimately build--their design.
We recognize that this may take you away from other work. To support designers on-going involvement, if your design is selected for implementation you will be awarded a grant, which is intended to cover out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with the project. In exchange, you will gain the experience of work alongside a community partner to realize your design. There is no more meaningful work.
Entrants must be willing to agree to the commitments and obligations described below in order to receive award funding and to be acknowledged as a finalist of the design competition.
- to create a physical model and print presentation boards to be used for exhibition purposes;
- to engage community members and other beneficiaries of the classroom in the design process;
- to refine the design to meet the needs of the participating school partner, and make himself or herself available for meetings and site visits as required by the terms of the grant;
- to partner with a licensed site architect, if necessary;
- to ensure the use of local materials and local labor whenever practicable;
- to promote sustainable and environmental practices.
We hope your design is selected, and we look forward to working with you.
