The Woodward’s Atrium lies in the heart of the historic Woodward’s development in the famous neigbourhood of Gastown in Vancouver. The original intent of the space was to be an events venue.

Your challenge is to come up with a structure that will increase the diversity of events that can be held in the atrium by challenging the current restrictions that the space presents.

Types of events

Art Exhibits
Start-Up Events
Pop-Up Bar
Workshops
Art Installations
Private Events

Form + function

We are looking for a structure that is aesthetically pleasing, multi-purpose, modular, transportable. A structure that will challenge restrictions and enable the following events to take place.

A. Security—The structure must be secure given that it’s in a public space.
B. Business Activity—The structure must minimize any distruption of the business activities of the two retailers on site: London Drugs and Nesters Market.
C. Privacy—The structure must enable privacy to the attendees, if that is a requirement of the event.

who can apply?

Designers
Problem solvers
Creative Individuals
Architects
Students

Entry Fees

General $40 entry

WHAT WILL YOU WIN?

Westbank & HPA reserves the right to build the winning design.

$10,000 1^st prize
$5,000 2^nd prize
$3,000 3^rd prize

JUDGING CRITERIA

Your design will be judged, keeping the following criteria in mind:

1—Design Innovation
2—Design Feasibility
3—Design Relevance

Who will be the jury?

Stan Douglas—Artist
Gregory Henriquez—Architect
Ian Gillespie—Westbank

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

All submissions must be two pages in PDF format. One horizontal rendering of design with dimensions, in PDF format and design rational with material list, in PDF format. Only submissions that follow these requirements will be assessed.

Key Dates

March 8th Announcement for Entries
April 25th Registration Deadline
April 25th Questions to be submitted
May 9th Answers posted
May 16th Submission Deadline
May 29th Winner Announcement

REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED

ENTRY FEE FOR APPLICANTS

$40 CAD entry fee for all applicants.

Resources

Have more questions?

Q & A

Where will the proposed design be stored when not used (on site(no storage room), storage room close to the site, other locations?)

The idea is that this will be a semi-permanent fixture in the Atrium. Obviously it will depend on the specific functionality of the design, but the plan is that it will stay in the Atrium. An ideal feature would be if we were able to move it around the space with ease.

Can we include pieces that are to be suspended off the ceiling or to be hung on the walls?

Yes, potentially.

Do we need to consider building code requirements at this stage of design?

Yes.

Are scaled drawings [plans, elevations, sections] of the space available now?

Yes, please see downloadable PDF’s of Atrium Floor Space Plan, Atrium Ground Floor Plan, Common Area Plan here http://not-a-black-box.ca/#contact

What is the diameter of the circle in the plan?

Approximately 43 feet both ways (a perfect circle).

Also in regards to the “modular form” requirement: does it mean that the installation must be built with identical pieces or it can be, for instance, a variation of several modular types?

The structure can be designed using a variety of modular types, the idea is that the structure is moveable and can adapt to different uses.

Could you please elaborate on this sentence in the design brief: “Privacy: The temporary installation must enable privacy to the attendees, if that is the requirement of the event”?

The idea is that the structure could provide some privacy for an event taking place in the Atrium such that the whole Atrium is not disturbed by the event; as the Atrium is a busy place with entrances for retail stores the new structure should create the opportunity for multiple activities to happen in the space at the same time.

Other than horizontal and vertical, is there any ratio to respect?

The two PDF pages should be 11x17 or tabloid in size. The pages should be horizontal in orientation

What should be the maximum file size ?

There is no maximum file size, however the submission does need to be emailed to be submitted.

Will it be printed on paper or can it contain video/audio embedded?

The submissions will be printed on 11x17 size paper for judging. There should be no impeded video or audio.

Does the submission have to show the team name somewhere?

The team name should not go on the PDF, only the registration number should be included. The registration numbers need to be kept confidential by yourself until the judging is complete, then the team members can be revealed once the winner is selected by the jury.

It is said that one horizontal rendering of design is required. Does it mean that the rendering images shall be arranged laterally on a landscape sheet? Are the plan view, section views and 3D view of the design to be included on the rendering?

The 11x17 PDF must be landscape / horizontal in orientation. You can arrange renderings and plan and section views of the structure however you choose on the two pages as long as all submission requirements fit on the two pages and are legible.

What is the weight of each evaluation criteria - innovation, feasibility and relevance?

The three evaluation criteria will be weighted equally in the judging process.