Professional Practice VI

Architectural Competitions

SCHOOL OF PLANNING AND ARCHITECTURE, NEW DELHIFebruary 2010

Beneficiary

Society

Promoter

Architectural Profession

Architect

Society

Generation of new idea

Development of new thinking

Promoter

Assessment / feasibility of programme

Assessment of site potential

Alternative concepts

Best design chosen by Architects

Selection of an Architect on merit

Profession

Initiation of new concepts/ trends

Promotion of good architecture

New bench marks of standard of service

Identification of new talent

Architect

Opportunity to Demonstrate talent Research Methodically undertake design exercise Team up with other architects Work with subject specialists

Winning a competition creates an image in society

Winning a competition opens up career opportunities

Competition When

Project of importance• National• Regional/State• Societal

Types of competitions

Participation• Open

• Limited

Purpose• Idea

• Selection of an Architect

Type• One stage

• Two stage

Open competition

Open to all architects, irrespective of• Age• Experience• Expertise• Establishment• Head quarters

Limited competition

Open to limited number of Architects

Short listing based on• Experience• Expertise

Key players

Promoter

Professional Advisor

Assessor

Architect (competitor)

Promoter

Appoint Professional Advisor

Appoint Assessors & define their fee

Define schedule

Define prize money Promise to appoint the author of the winning design as

Architect of the project

Exhibition of the entries

Return of non winning entries

Professional Advisor

Prepare design brief

Provide site information to the competitors

Conduct the competition as per schedule

Assessors

Majority must be of Architects

Assessment of entries

Signing of award

Architect

Study programme & site

Design and submit entry

Maintain anonymity Not to be related/ associated with promoters

or Assessors

Successful examples

JNU

IGNOU

GGSIPU

IGNCA

NGMA

Airports

Failed competitions HQ of Ministry of External affairs

• Suspended before award

Asthakunj

• Winner not appointed after award

Rajasthan Assembly

• Winner not appointed after award

IG Stadium

• One architect wins but another appointed

Unethical practices

HUDCO, Low cost Housing

• Employees of an assessor win

HUDA city centre, Gurgaon• Employee of an assessor wins stage I

• Architect assessors not in majority

• Board of assessors included COA & IIA Presidento Complaints leads to disqualification of competitoro COA President resigns from Board of Assessorso 16 years but IIA yet to dispose of the complaint of Professional

Misconduct

Unethical Practices

Mazar of Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed• Competition suspended before receiving

entries• Assessor appointed Architect

Botanical Garden, Noida

• Assessor and winner associated with

each other

Promoter moves forward

DDA Mega Housing• No entry found worthy of award• Promoter offers project to Architects whose

designs were commended by the Board of Assessors

Issues

Competitions are time consuming

Complaints of conflict of interest remain unresolved

Failed competitions lessens the confidence of

Architects in competitions, but• Many landmark projects are outcome of competitions• Many architects have made their career through

competitions

Presentation available onwww.slideshare.net/prmehta