CABE Press Release
Designers of tomorrow challenged to transform underused space into a
'memorable public place'
28 October 2005
"Design of a structure or environment that will transform an underused space into a memorable public place for young people." That's the challenge that CABE is laying down to higher education students in the UK and overseas as part of its involvement with the 2006 D&AD Student Awards.
Sponsored by the Prime Minister's Better Public Building Award, the brief also challenges students to create new opportunities for young people to engage in their local community and meet the aspirations of the award, which are:
- To consider how design and construction can improve the quality of people's lives and help build a better environment for all
- To encourage the adoption of design quality principles in new public sector building, regardless of size or cost
It is estimated that there are 70,000 hectares of derelict and vacant land throughout England and Wales, an area approximating the size of Greater London. CABE is asking students to consider where the structure will be placed and how it will work in a variety of different settings and locations.
Sarah Allan, advisor at CABE, who helped set the brief, said:
"The students of today will be the architects and the designers of tomorrow. We are confident that they will seize this opportunity and demonstrate new-thinking by coming up with innovative and exciting ideas that will engage young people in community issues using forgotten or underused spaces found in many local neighbourhoods."
The deadline for entries is Friday 24 March 2006, nominations will be announced the week commencing 8 May 2006 and the winners will be revealed at the Students Awards Ceremony on 29 June 2006. All first and second prize winners will receive a D&AD Student Pencil and will receive cash prizes amounting to: First £1,000, Second £400, Commendation £250. The winning entries from each category compete for the overall Student of the Year title and receive an additional £1,000.
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Notes to Editors
- CABE champions the creation of great buildings and public spaces.
It is a non-departmental public body set up by the Government in 1999.
Through public campaigns and support to professionals, CABE encourages
the development of well-designed homes, streets, parks, offices, schools,
hospitals and other public buildings
- The Prime Minister's Better Public Building Award was launched in 2001 and is an annual celebration of design and procurement excellence across the public sector. Any construction project commissioned by or on behalf of central or local government, or a grant aided organisation is eligible for the award. The Prime Minister's Award is part of the Better
Public Building initiative, which was launched in October 2000 to encourage the adoption of quality design principles in all new public sector building, regardless of size and cost.
- The Prime Minister's Better Public Building Award is jointly sponsored by the Commission
for Architecture & the Built Environment (CABE) and the Office
of Government Commerce (OGC), and is administered by the British Construction Industry Awards.
- Founded in 1962, D&AD is an educational charity working on behalf of the design and advertising communities. Its purpose is to champion excellence in creativity by setting industry standards, educating and inspiring the next creative generation and promoting the importance of good design and advertising in the business arena. For further information and the complete brief, please go to www.dandad.org/education/student-awards/