The theme for Fabric Architecture's Student Design Challenge 2001 is "An Emergency Shelter for Disaster Relief." There is also a new "Open"category under the theme "A New Application or Potential Future Uses of Fabric Architecture."

In either category, the designed structure will be a membrane structure. Students or student groups may design a tent, air or tensile structure, a hybrid of these existing applications or something entirely new.

The Emergency Shelter for Disaster Relief structure must serve several functions and provide shelter in a variety of weather conditions around the world. The structure must be easily transportable, set-up and take down with ease in a reasonable time frame of one half day. The structure should incorporate a technology or method of design allowing development of various sizes. Minimum size of the structure shall accommodate three occupants and one attendant.

All design entries must have been developed in the current school year.

PRIZES

Prize awards totaling US $5,000 (minimum) will be given for winning projects, with emphasis given on those entries following the themed challenge, Emergency Shelter for Disaster Relief. Three prizes will be awarded in the main category. The jury has the option of recognizing as many honorable mentions or special prizes as it deems reasonable in either category.

JURY

The jury will consist of individuals strongly involved with membrane structure design including:

• Curtis Fentress, FAIA, RIBA, Principal-in-Charge of Design, Fentress Bradburn Architects
• R. Larry Medlin, Architect Professor, University of Arizona
• Matthys Levy, PE, Principal, Weidlinger Assoc., NY, NY
• Bruce N. Wright, Editor, Fabric Architecture Magazine

DESIGN PRESENTATION

• Plan of a membrane structure at a scale sufficient to clearly express the design intent. (Recommended scale 1/8 inch =1 foot, or metric equivalent.)
• Three elevations (Recommended scale 1/8 inch = 1 foot, or metric equivalent.)
• Sections sufficient to describe the spatial form, structure and volume of the membrane structure at 1/8 inch = 1 foot, or metric equivalent. No more than three sections, please.
• Perspective rendering (optional).
• Photo(s) of a scale model (any scale) of the structure (required). NOTE: Do not submit the model; simply include photos of the model as part of the competition submission.
• Details as necessary to describe the construction, structural design, and membrane design at 1 inch = 1 foot, or metric equivalent.
• A written description (no more than 500 words) explaining the project's context, design intent, primary materials, detail, etc.
• All of the above are to be permanently mounted on one side of one or two 24 by 36-inch (or metric equivalent) board(s), which may be illustration board, foam-core or other. Oversized presentations or presentations on other material such as wood, glass or plastic will not be accepted.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

• Send only entry form and boards with plan, elevations, sections, details, model photos and written description. Additional material will not be used or returned. Photocopies of the entry form are acceptable. (To request entry forms see last paragraph of this letter.)
• Within the written description, identify the fabric/membrane material(s) selected for the membrane structure.
  NOTE: A generic description, such as PTFE-coated fiberglass, PVC-coated polyester solution-dyed acrylic or woven PTFE, is sufficient. You need not identify a product trade name or limit selection to those products offered by competition sponsors.
• On the back of one board, securely attach an envelope containing the entry form. Identify each board submitted as part of a set, such as "1 of 2," "2 of 2" to ensure that boards do not get separated. No other identification of the participant(s) should appear in anyway on the boards. Be sure to identify all participants on the design entry form. Make sure that all names are spelled correctly; indicate the school each participant attends.
• English is the official language of the Fabric Architecture Student Design Challenge.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE AND MAILING ADDRESS

All Fabric Architecture Student Design Challenge entries must be received at Philadelphia University, School of Architecture & Design, Schoolhouse Lane & Henry Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, 19144-5497 USA by Wednesday, May 16, 2001. (Not simply postmarked with that date.)

ANNOUNCEMENT OF WINNERS

Winning entries, chosen in June 2001, will appear in the Fabric Architecture September/October 2001 issue, which will be distributed at the IFAI Expo 2001 in October.

LIABILITY

Fabric Architecture, the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) and the competition sponsors accept no liability for accidents, damage or any other problems affecting the submissions. All reasonable precautions will be taken in handling and transporting submissions.

RIGHTS

Boards and the attached illustrations and photographs become the property of Fabric Architecture and IFAI and cannot be returned. Applicants should keep copies of their work if necessary. Copyright on submitted designs will revert to the applicant, but by entering the competition, you grant Fabric Architecture permission to reproduce the illustrations, photographs and other submitted information from the entry form and boards in future articles and promotions. >

EXCLUSIONS

Entries that do not adhere to the above regulations, are incomplete, and/or do not include a signed entry form will not be accepted into the competition. Designs that clearly violate copyrights or industrial property rights or have already been announced elsewhere will be excluded from judging.

QUESTIONS

Questions concerning the competition may be submitted in writing, by e-mail or by calling Jan Schieffer, Fabric Architecture Student Design Challenge Coordinator. Questions will be accepted up to March 30, 2001 and all answers will be published and distributed to registrants on April 17, 2001. Questions should be directed to: Jan Schieffer, Fabric Architecture Student Design Challenge Coordinator, 1801 County Rd. B W, Roseville, MN. 55113-4061 USA, Telephone 651/222-2508, or 800/225-4324, fax 651/631-9334, e-mail: jmschieffer@ifai.com.

Philadelphia University will also serve as the site of the Fabric Architecture Student Design Challenge jury and exhibition in June 2001.

FABRIC ARCHITECTURE

By developing Fabric Architecture Student Design Challenge 2001, Fabric Architecture hopes to build on more than 55 years of progress in modern architectural fabric structures. Fabric Architecture is published bimonthly by the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI). IFAI exists to serve its diverse membership by facilitating the worldwide development, application and promotion of products manufactured by the industrial/technical textiles industry.

Informational updates will be provided to applicants including a list of reference materials, sponsors of the program and fabric samples.

To receive entry forms or information, contact Jan Schieffer, Fabric Architecture Student Design Challenge 2001 Coordinator, 800/222-2508 or 800/225-4324, fax 651/631-9334, e-mail: jmschieffer@ifai.com. You may also print an entry form by clicking here.