Summer Competitions Roundup

We’re back in that cheerful time of the year between July 4th and Labor Day when the sun doesn’t set till 8 p.m. If you’re wondering what to do with all those extra daylight hours, may we suggest entering a competition or two this summer? Here is our list of noteworthy competitions now accepting entries (For a more complete, and frequently updated, roster of design competitions, be sure to check out our online Events section.)
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Building: Problem or Solution? 
Building: Problem or Solution? is managed by Faith in Place, intended to create new ideas in the design of religious buildings, and greater creativity in the re-use and modification of existing structures. Faith in Place hopes to generate ideas that a congregation will find aesthetically pleasing and inspiring, that preserve a sense of the sacred, and a space for contemplation and worship, but that integrate completely into their communities. Winning entries will illustrate creativity within realistic parameters, offering solutions for the 21st century religious congregation.
Submission Deadline: August 15

Green Heart 2010
Incheon Metropolitan City, Korea, announces the Incheon International Design Awards (IIDA) 2010. This year’s theme is “Green Heart,” and designers with a passion for preserving the environment are asked to suggest a future where humans and nature can coexist. Entries can be submitted in three categories – Green Design for Humans, Green Design for the City, and Green Design for Communication. The IIDA 2010 offer cash prizes totaling $43,000.
Submission Deadline:  August 25

SHIFTboston Moon Capital Competition 2010
SHIFTboston calling on architects, space-architects, scientists, engineers, urban designers, landscape designers, artists, and futurists to submit their most provocative ideas for the moon as a new destination. They want radical ideas for new lunar elements such as rovers, growing pods, inflatable structures, and lunar habitats. The winner will receive a cash prize and present at the Moon Capital Forum at the Cyclorama in Boston, Massachusetts on Thursday, October 21, 2010.
Submission Deadline: September 3

Design21’s ‘Crafting Excellence’ Competition
UNESCO established the Award of Excellence for Handicrafts program to acknowledge artisans around the world whose work exemplify tradition, innovation, and sustainability in handicrafts. Looking to support UNESCO’s work in this area, DESIGN 21 has announced the ‘Crafting Excellence’ competition to create the official logo for UNESCO’s flagship program. Two winners, including an Overall Winner as chosen by UNESCO and a D21 Judges’ Pick, will receive $3,000 and $2,000 respectively.
Submission Deadline: September 7

Royal Parks Foundation Drinking Fountain Design Competition
The Royal Institute of British Architects, The Royal Parks Foundation and Tiffany & Co. Foundation announced the launch of an international open design competition for the design of a new drinking fountain which can then be installed throughout the Royal Parks in London. The competition challenge will be to create a well-designed drinking fountain to replace older Parks’ fountains which cannot be restored. The winning designer will see their work turned into reality in the Parks, with the hope that the design will eventually be adopted in other green spaces around the world.
Submission Deadline: September 22

IIDA/Metropolis Smart Environments Awards
The International Interior Design Association (IIDA) announces the 5th Annual IIDA/Metropolis Smart Environments Awards. The Smart Environments Awards aims to recognize individuals and collaborative teams creating excellent, leading edge interior environments. The competition is open to Interior Design and Architecture professionals and teams practicing legally in their jurisdictions who have completed a Smart project; sustainable, accessible, and beautiful.
Registration Deadline: September 23

Playable 2010 International Design Competition
Playable 2010 invites designers of all types from around the world to design playground equipment and spaces that will give a sense of place, wonder and fun so strong that they will entice children outdoors to play. Entries can be submitted in three categories – Playable Art, Playable Site, and Playable DIY. Designs will be judged on how original, sustainable, accessible, and multi-generational they are. That last sounds like the real challenge.
Submission Deadline: October 1

INDEX: Design Challenge: Designing for Education
INDEX: calls for faculty, students, and recent graduates to participate in the upcoming INDEX: Design Challenge, developed in close collaboration with and endorsed by UNICEF. The theme of this year’s challenge is Designing for Education, a call for design and business students as well as cross-disciplinary student teams to develop design solutions that improve education and the educational environment in developing regions.
Submission Deadline: November 26