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In
the 125 years since William Le Baron Jenney’s 10-story Home
Insurance Building in Chicago became the world’s first skyscraper,
the spectacle of soaring towers has become increasingly common
wherever land is scarce, allowing cities to stack life ever taller,
denser and more dynamic. Like cathedrals and palaces of the past,
skyscrapers today define their cities’ identities as they shape the
skyline. As the late critic Herbert Muschamp wrote of these modern
wonders, “Contemporary architects reveal the inner world in the
process of adorning the outer one.”
Art Knowledge News
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WELCOME TO
MOCK FIRMS
STUDENT-BASED
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN COMPETITION
2012 INTERNATIONAL
SKYSCRAPER CHALLENGE
"VERSATILITY"
THEME FOR 2012
Already, more than a decade into the 21st
century, changes in technology are occurring so
rapidly that one can feel like they are standing
in a rushing stream of information and
innovation. Yet, within the fields of
architecture, construction and engineering,
current economic conditions have down-scaled
projects around the globe, However, in spite of
the adverse financial climate which continues to
hang like a gray cloud overhead, positive
developments have come about in the design\build
industry out of our need for better discipline
in design.
Purposeful research and greater
public awareness have brought an intense focus
on sustainability, adaptability and
“versatility.” Versatility is defined as having
varied uses or serving many functions or capable
of or adapted for turning easily from one to
another of various tasks, fields of endeavor,
etc. Tall buildings, for one, are being
re-imagined as vertical communities with
multi-use spaces and functions able to serve
evolving needs and changing desires throughout
its lifetime. With this in mind, “Versatility”
was chosen as the theme for the 2012 Mock Firms
International Skyscraper Competition.
 Entering
its 4th year, the Chicago-based Mock Firms 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. The desired
outcome is to foster collaborative and cooperative
educational experiences which may better prepare
participants for a workplace environment which values these
and similar values. This competitive event continues to
bring together some of the best and brightest talent from
the U.S. and around the world. Additionally, these future
design professionals are given the unique opportunity to
interact with the industry's leading design\build
professionals as they pitch their design concepts directly
to them receiving immediate feedback and evaluation of their
work.
Field Trip to Perkins + Will
THE VENUE FOR FINAL PRESENTATIONS
Chicago, Illinois will be the site of the 2012
Mock Firms Competition final presentations. The
tentative location for this event is the
Congress Hotel and Plaza Convention Center on
beautiful and historic Michigan Avenue.
DESIGN OBJECTIVE
To organize a “mock” design\build
firm for the purposes of conceiving,
coordinating, constructing and commercializing a
mixed-use tall building or single-family
residence which accommodates senior-living for
the appropriate designated venues.
Central Business District,
Beijing, China
2012 PROJECT SITE
Beijing, China has been selected as
the site for the Collegiate Division of the
Int'l Skyscraper Challenge.
One
of the most populous cities in the world, with a
population of 19,612,368 as of 2010, Beijing is
one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China.
It has been the heart of China’s history for
centuries. It is a major transportation hub,
with dozens of railways, roads and motorways
passing through the city, and the destination of
many international flights to China.
In
the early 21st century, Beijing has witnessed
tremendous growth of new building constructions,
exhibiting various modern styles from
international designers. A mixture of both old
and new styles of architecture can be seen at
the 798 Art Zone, which mixes 1950s design with
the new. The area of the Beijing Central
Business District (also Beijing Financial
Street) is identified as the city's new central
business district, and is home to a variety of
corporate regional headquarters, shopping
precincts, and high-end housing. It is
noticeably more modern with its architectural
forms than the traditional architecture of
imperial China, perhaps best exemplified by the
massive Tian'anmen, which remains the People's
Republic of China's trademark edifice, the
Forbidden City, the Imperial Ancestral Temple
and the Temple of Heaven.
Excerpts from Wikipedia
PRIZE DESIGNATION
Finally,
participants strive for excellence in the hopes of being
designated the Top Mock Firm of the Year taking home a
minimum $1000 prize. Equivalent winning designations include
but may not be limited to the following:
Honors/Awards
Top Marketing Firm
Top Project Design
and Construction
Top Firm Organization
Top American Mock
Firm
Top European Mock
Firm
Top International
Mock Firm
PREVIOUS YEAR RESULTS
Nearly 40 registered
student-firms
Over 100 individual
participants
Over 20
academic institutions
From 4 countries
Over $2,000 in prizes
awarded
FACULTY & ADMIN - AVAILABILITY FOR STUDIO DESIGN PROJECT
If you are
administrating or instructing studio classes within your
school or college of architecture, consider utilizing the
design criteria for the 2012 International Skyscraper
Challenge as a semester studio assignment. In addition
to the benefit of availing yourself to this ready-made
design brief, your class can benefit from the measurement
against the best among their peers as well as the rare
personal evaluation of their work from leaders in design
profession.
SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE & COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE STUDENTS -
CONSIDER COMPETITION FOR INDEPENDENT STUDY PROJECT
Undergrad and
graduate architecture students take this opportunity to put
your talents and abilities into the marketplace through
participating in this years' International Skyscraper
Challenge. In utilizing the 2012 Mock Firms Competition
as a classroom studio, independent study project or a
personal project among friends, you can position yourself to
be recognized among the some of the world's top collegiate
prospects to firms seeking to take on the best and the
brightest! Take advantage today of this unique opportunity
to show you have what it takes to play a meaningful role in
a firm as you organize your team (firm) to advance a design
project through from start to finish. Then get to experience
our exclusive one-on-one interaction with the nation's top
design professionals who'll advise you and your team on what
it takes to get to the next level. Find a faculty sponsor
and register today!
CHANGES FOR 2012!
-
Firms can
take advantage of an additional partner (a possible
total of 5 student participants)
-
Preliminary
sketches will NOT be required for registration, but are
to be included in materials submitted for final
presentations.
ANNOUNCEMENTS & UPDATES
Mock Firms Welcomes First Time Participants!
American Division
Drexel University
| Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania
European Division
Higher Technical School of Architecture of Seville
|
Seville, Spain
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
Entrants
to the 2012 competition must submit according to stated
deadlines the following:
PROJECT PROPOSALS
In order to qualify
for participation in the Mock Firms competitions, entrants
must submit among other stated criteria a project proposal.
This proposal is a preliminary declaration of the scope and
direction of your desired building project. We are not
looking for details at this stage as we know things of this
nature are to be worked through an ongoing design process.
We are seeking a rudimentary approach to what kind of design
team you may be looking to assemble in order to accomplish
competition objectives. Additionally, we desire to gage your
initial perspective on the overall scope and direction of
your design concept. This report is to be viewed only as a
summary of possibilities and intent and will not be used to
tie any "firm" to its content in the final analysis. Our
hope is that each design partner or team give purposeful
thought to their plan of action even that those plans evolve
into something almost entirely different from what was
present at the outset. To this end, we are asking for a 1 -
3 page, 1.5 or 2x spaced brief which includes a tentative
firm name, possible individual project team titles
(responsibilities) needed, why you and your firm are taking
on this commission, name and dominate program of your
building (if it will be the skyscraper project), intentions
of incorporation of sustainable principles and consultation
you may seek (i.e. teacher, professors, professionals, etc).
This report should accompany registration but can be sent
separately up to January 6, 2012. If you will be registering
later in March and would like to submit this report at that
time, please email your request to
info@mockfirms.org
DATES AND DEADLINES
Note: Events and
dates scheduled for listed events are subject to change
Late Registration Deadline - Jan 7, 2012 thru Mar 3, 2012
Video Presentations -
April 14, 2012
Project
Deadline for Non-attendees - April 20, 2012
Media Publication Inclusions - April 6,
2012
Project Presentation
- Friday, May 4, 2012
CONTACT & MAILING ADDRESS
Send any inquiries,
info to the following:
Please email
registration and proposals to
info@mockfirms.org
Materials can be sent
via direct mail to:
Mock Firms
P.O. Box 3714
Chicago, IL 60654
Direct phone inquires
between the hours of 7am - 7pm CST
773.410.1314 (please
identify contest division and location)
REQUIREMENTS OVERVIEW
The basic required submissions for the competition are as
follows: for a more detailed description of each item,
please refer to the design brief which can be downloaded
below
-
Preliminary sketch (es) of the partner's initial
design ideas
-
An organizational chart or description outlining
the hierarchy and functions of all contributing members
of your team
-
Promotional materials i.e. brochures, business
cards, etc for your building project
-
Media Publication i.e. social & news announcing
your participation in this event
-
A video presentation introducing your firm (all
partners), location, and your project
-
Board
presentations showing plans, perspectives & sections
of your building
-
A
scaled physical model of the building and its
surrounding environs.
-
A
10 minute oral presentation selling company
and building proposal which should include descriptions
of materials used, architectural styling, amenities,
features, innovations, sustainability and LEED design
goals, creative financing, and community benefits.
ENTRANT QUALIFICATIONS
Mock Firms competitions are open to all registered or
enrolled collegiate students whether undergraduate or
graduate level. Qualifying institutions do not have to be
accredited "design" programs but can also include community
colleges and liberal arts schools. Individuals who are
currently not enrolled but are not employed or interning at
a design firm and are no more than 1 year removed from their
last attendance or graduation date can also qualify but
should seek to retain a faculty sponsor or advisor from
their affiliated school. However, faculty advisors or
department personnel are not required for participation. Because
Mock Firms is a wholly collaborative enterprise, entrants
must register a team of no less than two (2) partners, but
not more than five (5) to qualify for competition. A
"firm" should consist of students from the same institution
or previously enrolled at that institution at the time
registration.
PRESENTATION PARTICIPATION
All competition registrants will be eligible to make final
presentations. Multiple "firms" from a school, program or
class is acceptable. Sponsors or instructors do not have to
accompany student-participants. Although this event takes
place over 2-3 days, project presentations will take place
on only one day in Chicago, Friday,
May 4. The first and last days will be scheduled
opportunities to enjoy the city and architectural-related
activities. However, we understand that coming to Chicago may not
be a realistic option for some participants. Therefore,
project materials can be sent to Chicago in lieu of your
being present there.
PROCEDURE FOR NON-ATTENDEES
As
previously mentioned, it is anticipated that some
registrants will not be able to make the trip to Chicago for
a variety of reasons. In consideration of this, we want
those of you to whom this might apply to know that our
determination is to make every effort to assure your project
receives an equal assessment with those present. One of the
ways we seek to accomplish this is to permit non-attendees
the use of additional materials to help fill in the gaps
which might result from not being able to vocally explain
your design. Details of what the these exceptions are will
be available in the Design Brief.
DOWNLOAD DESIGN BRIEF (AMENDED)
(Correction to be noted in the Design Brief: Maximum
building footprint is not to exceed 4900 square meters)
DOWNLOAD THE
REGISTRATION FORM
Introducing
WORKING TOWARD
SUSTAINABILITY
Fundamental
Exercises in Green Building Design
Bringing Our Research and
Today's Industry Experts Into Your Classrooms and
Organizational Meetings!
A new instructional
video series on sustainable design. Titles in this 5-disk
video curriculum include:
Accompanying the 4 DVD's is a
data CD which contains the following:
-
A multi-question file
which can be used as an exam or series quiz
-
LEED Design situations for
cad programs
-
Case Studies of successful
green projects
-
Images of green-related
subjects
Additionally, a 46-page
workbook of assignments and resources compliments the video
series with ...
-
Discussion, Group & Design
Questions & Projects
-
A Green Glossary &
Statistics
-
LEED Charts
-
Important Standards in
Sustainability
-
Online Resources
Based on the documentary
Sustainable Chicago
Produced & Published by
Chicago Architecture Today LLC
5-Disk Package (DVD, CD) &
Soft cover Workbook, 46 pages
Retail Price $549.95 (20
additional workbooks - $699.95)
To purchase by check,
designate payee as Chicago Architecture Today LLC
Please allow 2-3 weeks for
delivery
Refund Policy
Full refunds are available for
the return of any unopened materials (video and workbook)
for up to 10 days after receiving purchase. Return shipping
costs will be the responsibility of the customer. Cancelled
purchases will be honored if the material has not yet been
shipped and if shipped, will be fulfilled after items are
returned. There is a non-return policy if any part of the
purchased and shipped material has been opened or used.
MOCK FIRMS
CHICAGO 2011 REVIEW
COLLEGIATE
INTERNATIONAL
SKYSCRAPER
CHALLENGE
"ARCHITECTURE THAT WORKS"
Mock
Firms Class of 2011
This past
year saw our first non-attending mock firm winning the overall
competition. Students studying abroad at
the Danish Institute for
Study Abroad
in Copenhagen, Denmark (VOX) from Cal-Poly San
Luis-Obispo came away with top honors with their creative submission
for a tall building in Stockholm, Sweden. Overall, 10 mock firms
represented 5 academic institutions from 4 countries. A number of
first time participants competed including the University of North
Carolina - Greensboro, the University of Illinois at
Urbana-Champaign, the University of Houston, Birmingham City
University - United Kingdom and Graz University in Austria. We would
like to express our appreciation to all the 2011 participants for
raising the bar in the quality of the work and presentations.
We also
want to thank our distinguished jurors which included the
following:
Ralph Johnson, FAIA, LEED AP, Design Principal, Perkins +
Will,
Chicago
Tim Brown AIA, Principal Tim Brown Architects, Studio
Associate Professor, IIT, Chicago
Laura Kraft, LEED AP, Halverson and Partners, Structural
Engineers, Chicago
Rene Steevensz, AIA, Principal, Studio SYM Design, PC in
Chicago,
And a special thanks to each faculty participant!
Look for competition photos on our Flickr Page!
RESULTS
FOR THE 2011 MOCK FIRMS COMPETITION
2011 International Mock Firm
– VOX, DIS Copenhagen
2011 International Mock Firm Runner-up
– +Plus, DIS Copenhagen
[Tied] 2011 American Mock Firm –
Tertia Studio, University of North Carolina-Greensboro
[Tied] 2011 American Mock Firm –
Helix Design, University of North Carolina-Greensboro
2011 American Mock Firm Runner-up –
Symbius,
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
2011 European Mock Firm -
VOX, DIS
Copenhagen, Denmark
2011 European Mock Firm Runner-up -
+Plus, DIS
Copenhagen, Denmark
2011 Mock Firms Top Building Project
– Symbius, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
2011 Mock Firms Top Mock Firm Organization
– Studio 4D, University of Houston
2011 Mock Firm Sustainable Design Concept
– Cutting-Edge Architects,
Birmingham City University, United Kingdom
2011 Mock Firms Top Marketing Firm–
Tertia Studio, University of North
Carolina-Greensboro
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