INTRODUCTION
In light of the volatile nature of the current global economy, businesses in urban centers are trending towards sustainable policies and practices which they hope will enable them to work more efficiently. One key component leading to the achievement of this goal is the commitment to smart architectural design. “Architecture that Works” is the theme of 2011 Mock Firms International Skyscraper Challenge which seeks to focus student-design groups on issues involving improving the urban work environment through innovative uses of space, structure and sociology. The desired outcome is the creation of “hyper-vertical communities of commerce” which inspires in form and “works” in function for both internal and external people populations.
THE COMPETITION
Just in its 3rd year, the 2011 Mock Firms Architectural Competition is already highly regarded on the landscape of student-based design competitions. The Mock Firms model aims to help facilitate the formation and function of simulated architectural design firms by collegiate and secondary school students. This year’s goal is to conceive, coordinate, construct and even commercialize a commercial office building project for downtown Los Angeles which will be ultimately judged by industry professionals against a field of the peers in Chicago. Teams or “firms” can consist from between 2 – 4 partners (an additional one can be an instructor) Additional classmates are encouraged be involved in the overall process as skilled “employees.”
Categories
Currently, Mock Firms consists of the following 3 (three) categories:
International Skyscraper Challenge (Graduate and Post-Graduate School)
National Skyscraper Challenge (High School)
Regional Home Design Challenge (High School)
The National Skyscraper Challenge brings together some of the brightest minds from high school architecture and engineering programs around the country assembling as student-firms to take on a given tall building project. Their reward is the opportunity to take part in face-to-face evaluations with some of the world’s leading design professionals. Additionally, these student-firms are positioned to assess the outcome of their ideas against the best of their academic peers worldwide. Finally, participants strive for excellence in the hopes of being designated the Top Mock Firm of the Year taking home a minimum $500 prize. Equivalent winning designations include but may not be limited to the following:\
Honors/Awards
Top Marketing Firm
Top Firm Organization
Top Construction Firm
Top Engineering Firm
Top State Firm*
Top Overall Design Firm
*Contingent upon multiple
entries from a state or school
PREVIOUS YEAR RESULTS
Nearly 40 registered student-firms
Over 100 individual participants
10 different participating states
Over $2,000 in prizes distributed
NEW FOR 2011
- All entries will be only judged against their adherence to the rules which if in compliance will be automatic qualifiers for the competition and final project presentations. Entries will not be subject to qualifying determination based on the amount or quality of other competing entries.
- A more, simplified and specified scoring rubric
- All participating firms on the secondary level will be focusing their design expertise on the same given site which will be Los Angeles, California.
- Two new or adjusted award categories will be added. First, the Top Construction Firm will focus on the technical quality of the physical model. Second, we are honoring a Top Engineering Firm which seeks to more specifically recognize the CAD work and level of difficulty but buildabilty of your structure.
- Non-attending firms will be able to submit additional physical materialinstructors” Breakfast Gathering
- Tour of a major firm for early registrants
- Attending teams can participate in the SkyRiser’s Awards Banquet for Future Designer’s
- Awarded participants will have complimentary entry to the National Skyscraper Museum in New York City
- http://www.chicagoarchitecturetoday.com/contests1.htm