Application Information for 41st Competition
Conversion of Existing Architecture for Living in the city
Given the longevity of architecture in the city, there are an increasing
number of buildings still fit for use despite having outlived their
functional role. Particularly without regard to progress in IT, this
tendency is notable among small-and medium-scale office buildings.
Moreover, buildings beloved by the people of a neighborhood, buildings
that deserve preservation, or warehouses in good locations, can be
considered for the revitalization of urban memories. On the other hand,
even among people who want suburban residences, within the
diversification of residential types there are many people who desire to
commute back and forth to the city.
Taking such situations positively, it could be said that schemes for the
conversion of existing buildings in order to live in the city center
will become an important new role for architects.
These residential forms would of course include use as mass housing, but
various other usages, such as the long-term stay model or small hotel,
can also be considered. Even mass housing is not limited to families and
those living on their own; many new models continue to be requested,
such as the SOHO model and the room-share. The increase of these models
of living places may also be useful for the activation of the city.
Application should each choose existing buildings for their entries. In
establishing ways to convert these into rich urban residences, concrete
proposals are preferable to the presentation of abstract concept and ideas.
From now on, this competition will adopt a two-stage method of first
judging by drawings, and then judging by interviews open to the public.
It will also emphasize reality as a judging criterion.
What is meant here by reality is not the ability for a project to be
directly implemented, but rather a clear expression of the ambition and
potential to transform society and the era through architecture. By
comprehending this meaning, we hope to receive entries that are
appropriate to constructing the future.
http://www.cgco.co.jp/english/conversion.html