We have revamped the beloved 2019 PSr1 design competition and this year, it’s the Convergence Design Competition. Participation is not limited to emerging professionals, but is open to licensed and unlicensed design professionals, students, or anyone associated with architecture or an architecturally aligned field such as landscape architecture, urban design, engineering or the like.
The Convergence Design Competition aims to provide emerging professionals and other architects and affiliated professions with an opportunity to engage with the community. The winning structure will be installed at the Museum of Sonoma County as a temporary exhibit in their outside Sculpture Garden. Installation and initial exhibition will coincide with a Block Party visited by hundreds of locals, with food trucks, local car clubs, and others. Winning participant/s will have the opportunity to meet people and talk about their project. It is meant as both a marketing opportunity to help young firms and sole proprietors grow, as well as an educational opportunity for the public.
Architecture has the potential to shape the way people interact with each other. This competition is to design and build a place for people to sit and engage with one another. The installation should provide either a comfortable or provocative method of social interaction or conversation, as well as provide a comfortable respite from the sun. Space for a wheelchair should be accommodated, and the structure should be prepared to stay outdoors for as many as 3-4 weeks.
Structure will be evaluated based on design, safety, and constructability considerations. Should there be moving parts please ensure there is no risk to the public, i.e. do not create a structure that might roll over on someone.
1. Seating: 2-8 people2. Engagement: Structure should have some form of casual social interaction, participants should not be isolated3. Shade: Participants should be protected from the sun with partial shading4. Accessibility: Structure shall be accessible to all participants, including those with disabilities5. Size: Should fit within a 10 x 10 footprint, by max. 10′ height.
- Submission period: July 16 – August 6
- Jury Deliberations: August 11 – 19
- Winning Project Awarded: August 20
- Buildout + Installation: Week of October 13 – 17
- Block Party: October 18 | 11am – 5pm
The winning project team or participant will receive an award/stipend of $3500 to help toward construction costs and expenses. No application fees this year!
We have enlisted the help of our chapter Network Partners to help provide guidance for engineering and constructability issues. Once your project is submitted, you may reach out directly:
- Structural Engineer: Drew Fagent, SE – [email protected] | 707-526-0992 x153
- General Contractor: Dustin Deason – [email protected]
Apply / submit your project proposal here:
