Architecture for Humanity Chicago has announced the finalists for its newStand competition, intended, according to the competition brief, to address "the daily interaction between reader and news vendor" as part of the dynamic of a healthy urban streetscape. It directs that competition entrants address "a) the decline of print media; b) the positive effects of community business; and c) small scale architectural impact on the streetscape." The jury included Patricia Saldana Natke of Urban Works, Ltd., Henry L. English of the Black United Fund of Illinois, and architect Brad Lynch of Brininstool & Lynch.But although the list of names appears on their website, Architecture for Humanity Chicago is not making it easy to view the designs, themselves. The email announcement included only the generic image to the left; no other images were attached. There are also no other images on the organization's website, which states only that "A sampling of all entries will be exhibited at an upcoming AFH event on April 21st at Salvage One in Chicago." Tickets for that event, hosted by Civic Blueprint, are $75.00 in advance, and are not available to those under 21, thereby locking out most students both by age and by cost.
Since this is AfHChicago's first competition, maybe we should cut them some slack, but the way they've handled it is sorely wanting. By inferring that the only way to see the entries is to cough up nearly a hundred bucks per person makes newStand appear to be less about promoting superior architecture than serving as a sideshow in a fundraising campaign.
5 comments:
This really is discouraging... Since there was no price money to be awarded, exposure was one the main incentives to competing, (beyond the personal ethics and activism that probably was the motivation for most participants). It becomes even more disappointing since there was a $25 or $50 entry fee. With all the jurors are based instate (maybe even in Chicago) little of this fee would have been used to cover their travel & lodging expenses. Without knowing the exact number of entries, I have a hard time believing it was needed to fund the competition organization. The CAC’s latest competitions have been entry fee free and have drawn large numbers of entries, yet they have found a way to fund the organization, via co-sponsers.
While there are many justifications for hosting design competitions, exposing a current problem in society, deciding on the best proposal to build, establishing a dialog on an issue, etc. But making a buck of designers, who are eager to use their creativity on more provoking subjects than most find in practice, just seems unethical.
I didn't enter this competition on this reason...
As co-founders of Civic Blueprint, we would like to help to clear up some of this confusion about our re:FAB event.
Before the launch of the AFH Chicago newSTAND competition, a fundraising effort was underway for Architecture for Humanity’s national 501(c)3. This coincided with the founding of Civic Blueprint: an effort to enhance collaborations between the design community and nonprofit organizations, community groups, public schools and social service agencies. Inspired by the incredible international humanitarian work carried out by Architecture for Humanity, Civic Blueprint believes that the Chicago design profession could benefit from an organized methodology for working with underserved communities on a pro bono or low-cost basis. Funded by the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, a feasibility study began on how best to accomplish this mission.
While Civic Blueprint is sponsoring re:FAB on April 21st, all profits from the event will go towards Architecture for Humanity’s national organization.
After several months of planning re:FAB, we learned of AFH Chicago’s design competition and reached out to them to learn more about their efforts. We are pleased to be able to exhibit the winning entries at re:FAB but we believe that AFH Chicago has a responsibility to showcase the entries on their website as well.
Our goal for re:FAB remains the same: raise funds and awareness for the amazing work carried out by Architecture for Humanity and introduce Chicago to Civic Blueprints’ desire to help contribute to local community development efforts.
More information about the events taking place at re:FAB can be found at www.architectureforhumanitychicago.org.
On behalf of all of us who have worked hard putting together the
competition, the entrants, those that have been awarded, the jurors,
and the good name of Architecture For Humanity and Civic Blueprint, I
apologize for the misconception of the motives behind the re:FAB
fundraising event or the newStand competition.
It has never been the intention of AFH Chicago or Civic Blueprint to
use the fundraising event as an opportunity to gain money by
providing this as the only opportunity to view the submissions. The
winners will be posted on the website by the end of the day. The
delay of this posting lies in my hands, and I regret the confusion
and/or distrust this delay has caused. The fundraising event will not
be the only opportunity to see the submissions; those of awarded
entrants or otherwise.
Also, please let me take this opportunity to reassure everyone that
the entirety of money received from competition entrants was sent to
AFH. We have not requested the use of any of it for the purpose of
our chapter. In fact, we pool together to pay for any of the minor
costs acquired by the creation of the competition and the functioning
of our website. We will look into other ways of funding any future
competitions, as suggested in the previous blog response.
We created this competition for many reasons, most obviously the ones
stated in the competition's description (also reiterated in Mr.
Becker's initial blog entry above). AFH Chicago was also looking for
a way to gain recognition within our community, enticing community
members to become involved with our endeavors. Please remember all of
our current and consistent members, of whom there are few, are
volunteers. We are fueled by the foundational beliefs of Architecture
For Humanity, and as people that are new to non-profit work; we are
learning as we go. Thank you for cutting us some slack on our first
competition. I'm proud of the work all of us have done, and hope that
this criticism does not perpetuate any distrust.
Once again, Civic Blueprint is graciously working with our chapter to
help us further meet the needs of the competition. Their fundraiser
will serve as an additional opportunity to view the submissions, not
the only one. Their group also consists of many hard-working
volunteers with only philanthropic intentions, in this case, raising
money for Architecture For Humanity.
We invite all people to attend our meetings on the first Tuesday of
every month (visit www.afhchicago.org, the Chapter's site, for more
information). If there are concerns or questions (especially
concerning the competition), please contact us directly at
afhchicago@gmail.com. We would prefer the opportunity to address any
concerns directly before causing unnecessary skepticism.
A special note to the Anonymous blog response: In the case that you are an entrant, I can assure you that our motivations are in perfect alignment with the ethics held true by Architecture For Humanity, and that any criticism raised does not reflect our true intent. I hope that my response here has made you (and others) feel comfortable submitting to our competition. We are very thankful
for the work put forth and desire to be involved.
Thank you for the opportunity to respond,
Breena
On behalf of AFH Chicago
The following response will most definitely be hostile in nature:
I stand behind any of the intentions of Architecture for Humanity Chicago and its volunteers. This organization seems very grassroots but, hey, results don't come overnight and it take money and politics to get things done. I applaude this organization for having the courage and patience to confront such a difficult challenge. Yeah, I was one of the winners and...you know what?.....I'm happy that architects/human beings actually responded to this competition. If you want exposure for your work, start your own website! Make a book! But don't make ignorant accusations! Where is 'your' humanity (Mr./Mrs. Architect?)
I have no doubt that AFH Chicago will refine its methods as it learns more and matures. Lets remember what 'humanity' and 'spirit' actually mean. Lets support AFH Chicago for their integrity.
Here's a jeer to mindless assumption. Rock on, AFH.
The following response will most definitely be hostile in nature:
I stand behind any of the intentions of Architecture for Humanity Chicago and its volunteers. This organization seems very grassroots but, hey, results don't come overnight and it take money and politics to get things done. I applaude this organization for having the courage and patience to confront such a difficult challenge. Yeah, I was one of the winners and...you know what?.....I'm happy that architects/human beings actually responded to this competition. If you want exposure for your work, start your own website! Make a book! But don't make ignorant accusations! Where is 'your' humanity (Mr./Mrs. Architect?)
I have no doubt that AFH Chicago will refine its methods as it learns more and matures. Lets remember what 'humanity' and 'spirit' actually mean. Lets support AFH Chicago for their integrity.
Here's a jeer to mindless assumption. Rock on, AFH.
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