telescoweb event みんなでつくる建築・都市・デザイン情報

Resistencia Master Plan Competition

Sponsor:
Florida International University (Miami Bienal) with Province of Chaco, Argentina

Type:
Ideas, international, one-stage

Eligibility:
Architects, landscape architects, planners, students (student teams are encouraged to enter)

Languages:
English and Spanish

Awards:
$3,000 total for professionals (Province of Chaco Prize)
$1,000 student prize (COMPETITIONS magazine prize)

Fees:
$50 (professionals); $20 (students)

1.1 Background Information

Overview
Resistencia, the Capital of Chaco Province in northeast Argentina with a population of about 275,000, is in the process of planning a site for the location of a new Cultural/Convention Center. The Center will be of both local and regional importance, as Resistencia is located in an area which is equally distant to Santiago, Chile, Sao Paulo, Brazil,next door to Paraguay, and close to the neighboring city of Corrientes. Approximately 600 miles (1,020km) northeast of Buenos Aires, Resistencia is also on the main road leading from Santiago, Chile to points in Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina a major commercial artery.

Besides the beef industry, Chaco Province is a center of hardwood production in South America and, because of its proximity to the Parana River, has become a tourist attraction for fishing and hunting. Because of the presence of a native Indian (Aborigines) population, the region has also developed a thriving crafts industry. Resistencia is the seat of a large regional university, with a school of architecture serving 700 students, both part- and full-time. It has a vibrant architectural community which is reflected in the diverse architecture of the city's private residences. The urban fabric of the city is mostly low-rise in character, with the rare existing high-rises representing apartment dwellings for the most part (illustrations 1,2,3). Much of the moving traffic is by bicycle, as two-thirds of the local population currently lives below the poverty line.

The "Museum City" as Cultural Center
Cultural institutions play a large role in the life of the city, which is famous for its Bienale Sculpture competition. Beginning in 1961, a cultural institution, El Fog de los Arrieros initiated a campaign to place sculptures throughout the city. This program was sustained by COPROAR (Resistencia's Art Promotion Committee) from 1977 to 1991, and since then has been under the direction of the Urunday Foundation. The latter established an international sculpture competition which continued the program of placing art works throughout the city. Today there are more than 250 works of sculptors both national and international located throughout the city, mainly in the downtown urban center. These art objects represent the establishment of a unique cultural climate in a city which was first established by Italian immigrants in 1878.

A more recent addition to the local cultural scene is the establishment of annual jazz workshop("Tocar la Vida" Latin-American Music Camp) on the nearby island of Cerrito. This Jazz Workshop is co-sponsored by the University of Georgia's Department of Music and is attended by 400 musicians each year.

Climate and Topography
The average temperature of Chaco Province is in the 70s, with temperatures in the summer hovering in the 80s to high 90s, dropping to the 50s and 60s in the winter. The vegetation is similar to west Texas, as is average rainfall. Located on the Rio Negro river which empties into the Parana, the city of Resistencia is in a low-lying plain which is constantly threatened by flooding from the Parana River. As a result, a defense system consisting of levies has been constructed to protect the city and its environs from high water.

Site
The site of the projected Cultural/Convention Center is located along the Nichol Avellaneda Road (National Route #12) which leads to the Parana River and Corrientes. The 80-hectare site is contiguous to the road and measures 798mx970m(See site map). The perimeter line measuring 798m is adjacent to the main road. The site resembles a meadow, framed at the rear by a bosk of trees. The site is relatively flat and there is a complete absence of any significant changes in elevation. Easy access for vehicles is available from the highway, and the site is
within the defense perimeter which protects it from major flooding. The only existing structure on the site which is to be retained is an amphitheater.

All plans, photos and all necessary site information can be found at:
www.ecomchaco.com.ar/pddc

1.2 Program
The Resistencia Master Plan will focus on the built environment surrounding a new cultural/convention center outside the city. This Center will serve as a magnet for future development along Route 12, from the junction of Av. Sarmiento to the Parana river within the perimeter of defense. The site itself should contain the 22M Pesetas($7.5M) cultural/ convention center of approximately 100,000 sf. with adequate exhibition/meeting spaces and adjacent parking for vehicles and bicycles. All parking should be planned in keeping with reduction of run-off from precipitation. Other facilities which may be added include a hotel (not more than 200 rooms), space for retail and eating establishments, housing for medium and low income families, and an elementary school which can also function as a branch library. The school would be built in a second phase to accommodate the urbanization of the neighboring area along the road.

Suggestions should also be made as to how increasing development along the road should take place, especially in relationship to the master plan site, and whether direct road connections can be expected to the site from new developments to both the east, west, and across the heavily traveled road bordering on the north of the site. This site can set a pattern for the configuration and appearance of this area over the long term.

1.3 Schedule and Deadlines*
10 July 2003 - Competition begins. Registration opens. Guidelines available. Questions from competitors accepted on website.

10 September 2003 - Last day to submit questions. Answers to questions will be posted weekly on website.

25 September 2003- Last day to register.

28 October 2003 - Closing date for receipt of submissions. Submissions will not be accepted after 5:00 p.m. EDT on this date.

November - Jury review

1.4 Jury:
A 5-person jury will be selected and posted on the Bienal website prior to judging

Professional Advisers: FIU faculty (Jaime Canaves)

Submission Fee
Professionals - US$50.00
Students - US$20.00

Competitors must register by payment of fee via credit card. Payment must be made with credit card by fax to the Bienal office. Cash, personal checks, and travelers checks will not be accepted.

The Bienal fax number for payment and fax registration is: (305) 348-2650

No submissions will be reviewed without payment of the fee.

1.5 Presentation Requirements
In order for a submission to be eligible, competitors must adhere to the following requirements regarding the Presentation Board:

Design concepts must be presented on no more than (two) 30 x 40 inch (76 cm X 100 cm) boards (Participants outside the United States may send their submissions in a roll).

Sheets attached to boards must be no less than 1/4 inch (.64 cm) thick and no more
than 3/8 inch (.95 cm) thick.

Designs must be oriented vertically, 40 inches high by 30 inches wide. No other size Presentation Board will be accepted.

The board must be rigid and lightweight, preferably foam core. No wood, masonite, or metal allowed. Boards must not be framed or covered in plastic or glass.

No projections from the flat surface of the board are permitted. All text and information must be in English or Spanish and a minimum 14 point (1/8 inch high) type size. No additional materials will be reviewed.

The following should be clearly illustrated:
1. Site Plan (metric - 1:1500 [1cm=15m]); (SAE - 1:1254 [1"=104.5']) This will fill a major portion of one board.

2. Axonometric view from south (metric - 1:3000); (SAE 1:2508) This is half the size of the site plan.

3. Circulation pattern w/parking

4. Architecture (Perspectives can be at any reasonable scale)

5. Partial elevation from highway showing entrance(s)

6. A short explanation of not more than 200 words may be included

1.6 Criteria for Judging
1. Clear and easily comprehensible design presentation

2. Logical circulation patterns and parking

3. Spacing and relationship of built environment to open spaces with special mphasis on location and approach to cultural/convention center from main road

4. Architectural expression as it relates to environment and city context.

5. Logic of built program within financial constraints of the Resistencia economy

Anonymity of Submissions
The Presentation Board shall bear no identification, name, symbol, or mark that might serve to reveal the identity of the author(s) of the submission. No competitor may otherwise directly or indirectly reveal the authorship of any design concepts to any juror, Miami Bienal coordinator or the press. Such identification, occurring at any time during the competition, shall be grounds for disqualification. All submissions must be accompanied by a sealed envelope with a copy of the registration form which includes all contact information.

1.7 Registration Form
To enter the competition, all competitors must first register by filling out and submitting a Registration Form. No submissions will be reviewed without prior registration. For a step-by-step guide on obtaining, completing, and submitting the Registration Form (See below)

How to Enter
Access the competition website, www.bienalmiami.com

Step 1:
Please read all of the material contained on www.miamibienal.com.

Step 2:
Complete and submit a Registration Form by fax(305/348-2650) with your
payment.

Ownership of submissions
All submissions shall become the sole property of the Miami Bienal. Bienal shall own the entire copyright in all submissions selected, in whole or in part, for possible use in the final master plan design. Use of any submissions will be properly credited. Submissions will not be returned.

Registration Form:

For: Professional/Student (check one)

Registrant first and last name:
(If student, list school and faculty advisor)

Registrant Street address 1

Registrant Street address 2

Registrant City

Registrant State

Registrant Country

Registrant Postal code

Home Phone Number

Work Phone Number

Mobile Phone Number

Registrant Fax Number

Registrant Email Address