Call for Entries: 2010 Philadelphia Emerging Architecture Prize

Philadelphia architects registered ten years or fewer are invited to submit their design work for consideration for the 2010 Philadelphia Emerging Architecture Prize. This bi-annual Prize was established in 2008 to recognize individuals or firms whose body of work exhibits high levels of architectural design and thinking. It is intended to encourage the exchange of ideas and provide a voice within the design community for emerging architects who might otherwise not have a wide forum to share their work. The Prize is brought to you in association with Design Philadelphia and the AIA Philadelphia Center for Architecture.

The Philadelphia Emerging Architecture Prize will be awarded to a select group of architects/firms as chosen through a juried portfolio submission. Projects of all types, executed in any medium, are welcome. One or two entries may be selected for the Prize. Winners will be invited to present a lecture on their work and will also be featured in an exhibit at the Center for Architecture during Design Philadelphia 2010.

The Prize. The winner(s) of the Prize will be the focus of an exhibition at the Philadelphia Center for Architecture as part of the 2010 Design Philadelphia celebration. Following the exhibition opening, winners will also be awarded the opportunity to present a lecture of their work at the Center.

Eligibility

• Architects that have obtained their initial registration (in any state) within the past (10) ten years are eligible to enter. In the event of a firm entry, at least one of the firm’s principals must meet all eligibility requirements.
• Entrants may submit work done independently, as an employee or as an academician. Work undertaken as an employee of another firm must be accompanied by a letter from a principal of that firm stating that the entrant may be given sole credit for the work submitted.
• Work completed for fulfillment of course requirements at academic institutions is not eligible. Students are not eligible for this competition.
  The competition is open to architects/firms located within the Philadelphia region only.
• AIA membership is encouraged but is not an entry requirement.
  The Prize.

Submission Requirements

1. A single printed portfolio which may include several projects must be submitted bound. Portfolios may contain up to (20) twenty pages. Maximum portfolio sheet size is 11”x17”. The first page of the portfolio is to include a statement (250 words or less) defining the work of the firm. Models will not be accepted.
2. A CD including a digital copy of the Portfolio in PDF format at 300dpi and the Firm Statement in Word format.
3. Entry form. Insert form into an unsealed envelope attached to the inside back cover of the portfolio.
4. To maintain anonymity, no identification of the entrant or firm may appear on any part of the submission, except on the entry form and return envelope.

Entry Fee. There is no fee to submit and entry for the Prize.

Entry Forms. Entry forms may be downloaded here. Entry forms are to be completed and submitted along with the portfolio as described above.

Questions. Any questions regarding this program should be submitted by email to PEAPrize@gmail.com by Wednesday, September 15, 2010.

Entry Deadline. Entries and portfolios must be delivered to the Center for Architecture, 1218 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA, Attention: PEAPrize, no later than 5:00 PM, Wednesday, September 22, 2010. Entrants sending their submissions by mail or express carrier please note this is not a postmark deadline.

Jury. The 2010 jury will be announced here soon, and will be comprised of a broad range of architects and designers practicing in the Philadelphia Region.

Selection of Winners. Winners will be notified by Monday, September 27, 2010.

Exhibition of Winners. The exhibition of 2010 Philadelphia Emerging Architecture Prize winners will be displayed at the Center for Architecture beginning October 7, 2010 thru November 18, 2010. The opening event will be held on the evening of October 7th. Firms are responsible for producing all display materials.

Lecture Presentation by Winners. The 2010 Philadelphia Emerging Architecture Prize will be awarded at the AIA Center for Architecture on Wednesday, October 27, at 7:00 PM. Each winning firm will give a lecture presentation of their work (15-20 minutes) and will participate in a moderated round-table discussion addressing current design issues and their impact on the local architectural community.

Important Dates

• Deadline to Submit Questions: Wednesday, September 15, 2010
• Answers Posted: Thursday, September 16, 2010
• Submission Deadline: Wednesday, September 22, 2010
• CFA Exhibition Opening: Thursday, October 7, 2010
• CFA Exhibition: October 7, 2010 thru November 18, 2010
• Lecture Presentation: Wednesday, October 27, 2010 Monday, November 8, 2010 at 6:00pm

A PDF copy of these Entry Details may be downloaded here.

2008 PEAPrize Winners

The Philadelphia Emerging Architecture Prize was established to recognize individuals or firms whose body of work exhibits a high level of architectural design and thinking. It is intended to encourage the exchange of ideas and provide a voice for emerging architects within the design community.

In 2008, winning portfolios were selected by distinguished members of the Philadelphia architecture community: Bernard Cywinski, Jury Chair-Principal, Bohlin Cywinski Jackson; Lindsay Bremner- Chair, Architecture Program, Temple University; David Buege-Director, Architecture Program, Philadelphia University; Timothy McDonald-Principal, Onion Flats.

The 2008 PEAPrize was awarded to both Interface Studio Architects and Qb3. The firms presented a combined lecture of their philosophy and working process at the Philadelphia Art Alliance as part of Design Philadelphia. A subsequent exhibit was mounted at the Center for Architecture to showcase the winning firms. Consistent with the emergent spirit of the Prize, both firms presented a compelling array of sketches, working and finished models, photographs and detail studies, exposing the working processes utilized in the development of their winning design work.

Coordinated with Design Philadelphia’s event calendar, the opening night event drew nearly 200 attendees for drinks and hors d’oeuvres. Atypical of events at the Center for Architecture, the majority of the attendees were young design professionals. The resulting evening was both a vibrant and exciting celebration of the work of two emerging architecture firms.

2008 PEAPrize Exhibit Photos