Design competition spurs a creative vision of the future. Creative Action has announced an extension in the Imagine Downtown registration deadline. Applicants may now have until Jan. 8 to register to submit downtown planning concepts in the competition jointly sponsored by Creative Action, the Urban Land Institute, AOC Community Media, the UL School of Architecture & Design and the Acadiana Center for the Arts. The deadline to submit designs in Jan. 15.
According to a recent press release issued by Creative Action:
The goal of the [Imagine Downtown] Lafayette competition is to bring forward new and innovative ideas for invigorating Lafayette's urban core while also uniting surrounding neighborhoods and producing a 24-hour community. Entrants may choose between six sites, each with a unique set of assets and challenges. Participants must select one of these sites and propose specific solutions. Site considerations include increasing affordable residential and mixed-use density; accommodating parking needs; reinforcing existing plazas, parks and streetscapes; strengthening pedestrian and bikeway connectivity to surrounding neighborhoods and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette's main campus; facilitating public transportation; and developing a sustainable urban condition.
The [Imagine Downtown] Lafayette project is comprised of a partnership between Creative Action, Urban Land Institute Louisiana, AOC Community Media, UL School of Architecture and Design, and the Acadiana Center for the Arts. This partnership of organizations is working closely with Lafayette Consolidated Government to use this competition in part to help build public interest in Lafayette's ongoing comprehensive planning process.
[Imagine Downtown] Lafayette, through its partnership with Urban Land Institute Louisiana, is the recipient of a $10,000 grant from Urban Land Institute (National). "This competition is the first of its kind in Lafayette, and the support we have received from the community and incredible organizations like the Urban Land Institute is absolutely flattering and energizing for all of us who are involved in [Imagine Downtown]," said Colin Miller, Creative Action founding member and Chair.
All entries for the competition must be received by January 15, 2013. A single winning design will be selected for each of the six sites, with each winning design receiving a $1500 cash award. There will also be a public exhibition following the competition in the spring of 2013 featuring the top-rated designs. Jurors will include local, regional and national architects and urban designers.
Those encouraged to participate include individuals and interdisciplinary teams of students, architects, urban planners, landscape architects, designers, real estate developers, artists, creative professionals, and entrepreneurs. Entry fee is $30 per submission. Full competition guidelines are available for download through the Creative Action website, www.creativeactionacadiana.org.