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all competitions #chicago #contest #competition - Already more than a decade into the 21st century, changes in technology are occurring so rapidly that one can feel like they are standing in a rushing stream of information and innovation. Yet, within the fields of architecture, construction and engineering, current economic conditions have down-scaled projects around the globe, However, in spite of the adverse financial climate which continues to hang like a gray cloud overhead, positive developments have come about in the design\build industry out of our need for better discipline in design. Purposeful research and greater public awareness have brought an intense focus on sustainability, adaptability and “versatility.” Versatility is defined as having varied uses or serving many functions or capable of or adapted for turning easily from one to another of various tasks, fields of endeavor, etc. Tall buildings, for one, are being re-imagined as vertical communities with multi-use spaces and functions able to serve evolving needs and changing desires throughout its lifetime. With this in mind, “Versatility” was chosen as the theme for the 2012 Mock Firms International Skyscraper Competition.

ABOUT THE Chicago Architectural Contest

Entering its 4th year, the Chicago-based Mock Firms Architectural Competition is already highly regarded on the landscape of student-based design competitions. The Mock Firms model aims to help facilitate the formation and function of simulated-architectural design firms by collegiate and secondary school students. The desired outcome is to foster collaborative and cooperative educational experiences which may better prepare participants for a workplace environment which values these and similar values. This competitive event continues to bring together some of the best and brightest talent from the U.S. and around the world. Additionally, these future design professionals are given the unique opportunity to interact with the industry's leading design\build professionals as they pitch their design concepts directly to them receiving immediate feedback and evaluation of their work.

THE VENUE FOR FINAL PRESENTATIONS

Chicago, Illinois will be the site of the 2012 Mock Firms Competition final presentations. The tentative location for this event is the Congress Hotel and Plaza Convention Center on beautiful and historic Michigan Avenue.

DESIGN OBJECTIVE

To organize a “mock” design\build firm for the purposes of conceiving, coordinating, constructing and commercializing a mixed-use tall building or single-family residence which accommodates senior-living for the appropriate designated venues.

2012 PROJECT SITE DESIGNATIONS

Beijing, China has been selected as the site for the Collegiate Division of the Int'l Skyscraper Challenge

Detroit, Michigan has been selected as the site for the High School division of the Nat'l Skyscraper Challenge

Chicago Architectural Contest QUALIFYING PARTICIPANTS

To qualify for participation in the 2012 Mock Firms Competition,

* applicants must be enrolled students full-time or part-time students in secondary, post-secondary or graduate academic institutions.
*mock firms must be no less than 2 students, but more than 5 (4 being the target maximum with an option for a 5th additional partner)
*participants must submit a preliminary (may not contain specific individuals or final firm name) or final application form by given deadline along with the designated registration fee and a 1 - 3 page proposal for each design project

CHANGES FOR 2012!

Firms can take advantage of an additional partner (a possible total of 5 student participants)

Preliminary sketches will NOT be required for registration, but are to be included in materials submitted for final presentations.

Chicago Architectural Contest ANNOUNCEMENTS & UPDATES

Mock Firms Welcomes First Time Participants!

Naperville North H.S., Naperville, Illinois

Waubonsie Valley H.S., Aurora, Illinois

St. Charles North H.S., St. Charles, Illinois

Klein Forest H.S., Houston, Texas

North Oconee H.S., Bogart, Georgia

We Also Welcome Returning Participants!

White Knoll H.S., Lexington, South Carolina

North Mecklenburg H.S., Huntersville, North Carolina

Bolingbrook H.S., Bolingbrook, Illinois

Lemont H.S., Lemont, Illinois



IMPORTANT! Design Parameter Update for Regional Home Design Division

Please follow link to Regional Home Design Info for specifics


Chicago Architectural Contest DATES AND DEADLINES

Note: Events and dates scheduled for listed events are subject to change


Late Registration & Proposal Deadline - Now thru Mar 3, 2012

Video Presentations - April 14, 2012

Project Deadline for Non-attendees - April 20, 2012

Media Publication Inclusions - April 6, 2012

Project Presentation - Friday, May 4, 2012

Chicago Architectural Contest PROJECT PROPOSALS

In order to qualify for participation in the Mock Firms competitions, entrants must submit among other stated criteria a project proposal. This proposal is a preliminary declaration of the scope and direction of your desired building project. We are not looking for details at this stage as we know things of this nature are to be worked through an ongoing design process. We are seeking a rudimentary approach to what kind of design team you may be looking to assemble in order to accomplish competition objectives. Additionally, we desire to gage your initial perspective on the overall scope and direction of your design concept. This report is to be viewed only as a summary of possibilities and intent and will not be used to tie any "firm" to its content in the final analysis. Our hope is that each design partner or team give purposeful thought to their plan of action even that those plans evolve into something almost entirely different from what was present at the outset. To this end, we are asking for a 1 - 3 page, 1.5 or 2x spaced brief which includes a tentative firm name, possible individual project team titles (responsibilities) needed, why you and your firm are taking on this commission, name and dominate program of your building (if it will be the skyscraper project), intentions of incorporation of sustainable principles and consultation you may seek (i.e. teacher, professors, professionals, etc). This report should accompany registration but can be sent separately up to January 6, 2012. If you will be registering later in March and would like to submit this report at that time, please email your request to info@mockfirms.org

Chicago Architectural Contest website: http://www.chicagoarchitecturetoday.com/mockfirms.htm