February 2010 : Haiti Winner, Trevor Watson, Brooklyn, NY
Congratulations Trevor Watson!
February's winner was announced at RAPID RESPONSE: Spontaneous Architecture at Studio-X on Tuesday, 23 February 2010. Watson's submission depicts the deployment of color-coded weather balloons to serve as signs for the temporary locations of emergency services and institutions.
Honorable mentions go out to Enrico Arbizzani of Italy and Drew Witmer of Denver, Colorado.
Once again, thanks to everyone who participated in February's Spontaneous Architecture competition. Please look out for March's brief on 1 March 2010.
About Spontaneous Architecture
Spontaneous Architecture
Spontaneous Architecture seeks to provide a platform for architects and designers to engage in a rapid response to current events. Traditionally, the term "spontaneous" conveys impulsive or unforeseen action that is provocative by implication. This understanding leads to results which are seldom as interesting as the act itself. Spontaneous Architecture reimagines spontaneity in the context of architecture's typically slow deliberation, as something more purposed, something with a result that is greater than its impulse. The goal of spontaneity should be taken as a challenge for designers to trust their educations, their perceptions, and their intuition.
Spontaneous Architecture mini-competitions
The Spontaneous Architecture mini-competitions are a series of twelve monthly competitions to last throughout 2010. The entries are single images, and the entry fee is $5 per entry.
The competitions are intended to provide an immediate outlet for design thinking to engage current events. Participants are allowed only one image of predetermined dimensions to convey the essence of their entry. This restriction is meant to facilitate creative responses and enable each design to focus only on the most important issues of their proposals. Further, in the spirit of inspiring quick-and-dirty spontaneous responses, the format limits enable each entry to privilege visual clarity and conceptual depth over the commercial utility of gloss and style.
The competition winners will be decided by fellow competition entrants (although no entrant may vote for their own proposal). This collective voting will harness the group's intelligence and interests and hopefully catalyze a discussion within the participating group which will be formally continued in a live event in New York City. The event will be held in collaboration with Columbia University's Studio-X in downtown Manhattan and will coincide with the announcement of the competition winner(s).
Coming Soon
Spontaneous Architecture Installations in NYC
In the spirit of participation, Spontaneous Architecture will embark on a series of physical installations / enactments / modifications of the city. These interventions will be governed by simple rules and design decisions but the final outcome will be entirely dependent on the participants. We welcome your participation and ideas.
The details of the next Spontaneous Architecture installation will be posted as soon as they are figured out.
