This competition’s objective is to envision an imaginative, sustainable, viable design/construction solution to attract the resources, energy, and activity to an area threatened by economic displacement, urban decay, and/or population flight. Submissions may focus on a range of scales and methods, such as innovate planning, reuse of individual structures, new/upgrade of infrastructure, neighborhood rebirth design, and tactical urbanism. The entry must show how design and construction elements will drive or fuel the renewal/rebirth of the urban environment – taking on elements discussed in an overall approach or targeted to a specific area w/in the urban space. Vital to success: (1) site selection (why, where, how, etc.), (2) before and after depictions, (3) demolition, disruption, traffic impacts, (4) construction timelines, etc., (5) budget, per square foot estimates. As in the other challenge solutions, the proposal must be accomplished to meet the precise needs of this RFP in a realistic and doable way consistent with the resources/financial support likely available in the locale. Moreover, the proposal MUST also include the precise construction steps, stages, and remedies for this challenge, like demolition or other pre-retrofit work described and detailed. 

Conceive, plan, and create and/or revitalize a place or site that will be cherished, respected as a gathering place to memorialize an important event, occurrence, or chapter in the life of the local community or nation.  Elements of the site are within your decision-making process, whether physical structures (new/rehab), although they need not be the central element; or an open park-like landscaped setting commemorating a historical theme to be memorialized. The key will be to explain the reasons for site selection, what historic factor is being showcased and why/how it relates to the site and audience, and how the solution will attract all elements of the community and visitors in order to educate, inform, and create an immersive experience. The entry should identity a cohesive vision for a long-term successful future through CONSTRUCTION related changes (the built environment, whether rehab/new/repurposed structures, or opening spaces, etc.). This is an ideas competition: proposals may be innovative, transformative, and challenging, BUT must also present viable ways to implement real, holistic change. Successful proposals will show before/after, new uses, etc. – with a per foot cost estimate that must be realistic and doable for the resources/financial support likely available in the locale, construction timelines, flows, etc.

Cement: one the oldest, most reliable, efficient building materials, (along with concrete) has played a role in the human built environment – leaving its footprint on much of our structural heritage over the ages. BUT, can it be used in sustainable, resilient, carbon neutral modern endeavors – to achieve the goals set for today and the future? The challenge is to find inventive reuses/purposes and methods to capture the potential and necessary “smart” aspects of cement to take on the LEEDS goals, sensors, renewal, etc. in any and all forms or structures you wish to select (or across multiple applications). Success will turn on fully explaining your approach(es), how they are innovative, creative, and achievable – both through the design aspect and the CONSTRUCTION methods, means, techniques, materials, and finishes that will promote sustainability. As in the other options, the proposal must meet the precise needs of this RFP in a realistic and doable way consistent with the resources/financial support likely available in the locale; while providing a full understanding of the construction timelines, budget, and per square foot estimates. [Since all entries in this challenge will be using a common element (cement) it is extremely important to show where your proposal stands out and makes a contribution to the use or re-adaptation of cement to meet sustainability goals].