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.
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.
ReplyDeleteWhile 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...
The following response will most definitely be hostile in nature:
ReplyDeleteI 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:
ReplyDeleteI 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.