The Australian Institute of Architects ACT Chapter is calling on architects, graduates and students to imagine new models of living in the urban age. In a competition run in collaboration with the Land Development Agency (LDA), Environment and Planning Directorate (EPD) and Defence Housing Australia (DHA), the New Experimental Architectural Typologies competition (NEAT) is looking to unearth innovative proposals for housing a growing urban population in Canberra.
Lakeview townhouses, Yarralumla, by Harry Seidler & Associates (1984).
Image: Canberra House
With an emphasis on affordable and compact dwellings, the competition is seeking ideas that respond to issues of contemporary living, sustainability and use new technologies and materials that could revolutionalise housing.
Submissions are encouraged to challenge traditional notions of dwelling and even existing planning controls.
The ACT Community Services Directorate and DHA will consider shortlisted entries for further development and possible construction. Shortlisted entries will also be considered in the drafting of future planning regulations by the ACT Planning Authority.
“It is time to consider new, bold options to account for demographic diversity and environmental concerns,” says ACT Chapter President, Andrew Wilson. “We now need to look to the next 100 years, to create viable housing options that… make the most of new and emerging building materials and techniques and provide new uses for infill and greenfield sites within our city.”
Entrants may select their own hypothetical sites and submit proposals for low to medium rise attached housing, small-scale apartments and individual house types that are no more than four storeys (12.5m) high and provide a mix of accommodation across socio-demographic groups. Proposals should also demonstrate the viability of the projects. Affordable housing proposals are required to meet the criteria set by the ACT Affordable Housing Strategy.
The jury selected by the Institute includes: David Sutherland, (Fender Katsaldis Architects), Alan Morschel (ACT Chapter Councillor), Kristi Jørgensen (LDA representative), Alix Kaucz (EPD Representative), Hoa Luu (architect).
First and second prize winners will receive a $10,000 and $5,000 international travelling grants respectively and $1,000 is given to each of the third and fourth prize winners.
Registrations are open until 30 September, 2014 and submissions close 23 October, 2014. An exhibition of the finalists will be open to the public as part of Design Canberra 18–22 November, 2014. See full criteria and information for submissions.
