Sponsored by the Tilt-Up Concrete Association and the Tennessee Concrete Association, this years student design contest focuses on “The Concrete Classroom.”
Students in the field of architecture, currently in a undergraduate program are graduate or invited to present conceptual designs for a new education and training facility for a state concrete association, specifically designed with emphasis on practical sustainability using site-cast concrete panels and components known as “Tilt- Up” concrete.
The Concrete Classroom 2010 is an international, open, single-stage ideas competition.
Introduction
Tilt-Up concrete is one of the fastest growing construction techniques in the United States. One of the first new options for architects in over 100 years, it is a method by which building elements (typically, but not limited to walls and structural parts) are site cast and set into final position with a mobile crane. Over the last decade the sophistication and aesthetic quality of Tilt-Up buildings has risen dramatically. The creativity of architects and contractors is resulting in the application of this method to a wealth of new uses, new forms and new building types.
Objective
The primary purpose of the building will be as classroom and educational space, but will also serve as a meeting space for the Association’s Board of Directors as well as other types of meetings (committees, small receptions, seminar presentations, etc.) Easy conversion of the space from one function to another is essential, and the space should encourage collaborative exchange and learning. Views to the outside are encouraged, but control of light levels will be important to the functionality of the space while in ‘presentation’ mode.
The Association wants the Training Center to be a showcase of concrete and sustainable building practices, especially those utilizing Tilt-Up construction methods. Obtaining a LEED Platinum certification for the new center is the goal and LEED Gold is a minimum requirement for the project. Energy-efficiency is a key goal and the Association desires for the new building to be as close as possible to a ‘net-zero’ building in terms of both energy and water use in the operational phase. Innovative and unique solutions are encouraged, but must be balanced with ease of construction and affordability.
The Association desires the entire project to be a ‘learning lab’ that can help future projects of all kinds better implement effective sustainable building practices. The space needs to serve as a living exhibit for the concrete construction techniques utilized in its construction as well as highlighting the features that were incorporated into the structure to earn LEED credits. Visitors and students alike should be exposed to these features as part of occupying the space, and consideration should be given to making building features as interactive as possible with the goal of producing a self-guided learning tour of the building in the finished product.
Submission are judged based on the following criteria:
- Creative use of the design concept in overall solution
- Application of the Tilt-Up construction method
- Appropriateness of response in the context
Prizes
- First Prize: approx. $ 2,250 (USD) *
- Second Prize: approx. $ 1,750 (USD) *
- Third Prize: approx. $ 1,250 (USD) *
- Honorable Mentions (per Judging Panel discretion)
* Prize package includes cash to students and reference materials to sponsoring departments (if applicable) as well as up to five free registrations ($500 value) to the 2010 TCA Annual Winter Meeting (January 20), free registration to the World of Concrete ($35 value ea.) and a $500 travel allowance.
Student Cash awards for 1st, 2nd and 3rd equal $1,500, $1,000 and $500 respectively.
Prize winners, Honorable Mentions, and any additional projects deemed deserving of recognition by the jury will be published in an issue of Tilt-Up TODAY after the conclusion of the competition. Sponsoring departments will receive recognition for their promotion and involvement as well as a complimentary copy of the TCA resource library consisting of one The Architecture of Tilt-Up and one 1st edition of the Tilt-Up Construction Manual.
Rules
- Building – Freestanding (with interior connection to existing office)
- Seating for a minimum of 30 students (tables of 2 with variable seating options)
- Instructional area at front of classroom space for speakers, including large screen for presentations, white board space for instructors and students. Provisions for webcasting to and from the facility.
- Two accessible restrooms (1 male, 1 female)
- Serving Kitchen / Break Area sufficient for handling and serving catered items or those prepared in the kitchen of the existing on-site office. Provide counter space for displaying and serving food items; refrigerator; storage cabinets and coffee service: Min. 300-400 sq.ft.
- Note: This is a service station area only. Food and beverages will be consumed in the education space or in the outdoor break area.
- Storage sufficient for all tables and chairs when not in use.
- Connection to existing office building
- Separate “main” entrance to the Training Center
- Outdoor space for breaks and “hands-on” class demonstrations: Min. 1000 sq.ft.
- South side of building has high visibility to Hamilton Avenue as well as limited solar interference.
- Sustainable Systems
- Integration of solar (both PV and hot water) is desirable, with an emphasis on affordability.
- Consider all renewable energy sources
- Water use for potable, non-potable and landscaping should be minimized
- Thermal mass of concrete wall system combined with appropriate insulation
- Campus has two rainwater harvesting cisterns on property to capture run-off from existing roofs. Eventual goal is to make the entire site a “zero-discharge” site for stormwater. New building must work within this goal.
- Site
- No parking is needed in the program as it is provided elsewhere on the campus
- Location of property
How to enter?
Entries to this competition must include and are limited to a CD- or DVD-ROM or uploaded to the TCA Student FTP site directory. Digital entries will consist of only three pieces of information:
- Design narrative – Explain both the process rationale and the design solution in a one-page description.
- A 30-in x 30-in board (electronic format submitted as a PDF in 300dpi resolution) which graphically embodies your design solution. Boards are recommended to contain the following:
- Conceptual site plan
- Unit floor plan
- Elevations / sections / details
- Sketches or 3-d views
- Diagrams or other information which explain your solution
- Title
- Brief bullet point descriptions
- DO NOT PUT NAME OR CONTACT INFORMATION ON BOARD
- Your entry information including:
- Your Name
- Your Contact Address
- Your Contact Phone and Email
- Your School
- Your Faculty Member
The TCA will produce display boards from these electronic files prior to judging.
After an entry registration is received, the TCA will provide the entrant with an electronic information packet that consists of:
- Descriptive information about Tilt-Up
- Examples of the use of Tilt-Up in a variety of program applications
- Site plan and photos of original and current progress on the site.
- Information for uploading submissions to the TCA Student FTP site or mailing electronic formats
