BOUNDARIES - Open Call 2019 - RIBA Architecture Gallery

The RIBA is inviting practising architects and students to design a temporary installation for the Architecture Gallery at the RIBA Headquarters at 66 Portland Place. The installation will be on view from 4 June through to the end of August 2019.
This is an unprecedented opportunity  to realise a short project in a prestigious and public location; previous commissions within the Architecture Gallery include prominent practitioners including Sam Jacob Studio, Pablo Bronstein and Assemble.

Installation brief

This open call asks for responses to the theme Boundaries, on the occasion of the 2019 London Festival of Architecture; the RIBA wishes to explore examples of boundaries that have been raised, broken or challenged.

Boundaries can exist as physical or psychological delineations as well as positive or negative separations of space. How your practice addresses ‘boundaries’ remains open to interpretation and there is no prescribed brief for how the gallery is to be animated; this could take the form of a built installation, of a set of architectural sculptures, sound pieces or a film. 

Experimentation and imaginative thinking are encouraged as we wish to challenge our understanding of boundaries including the way in which the boundaries of a gallery are perceived and experienced by audiences. 

Budget

The project budget (for materials, production & installation) is £22,000 – all work, including construction and ongoing maintenance, must be feasible within this budget. The winning individual or team will receive a £3,000 (including VAT) design fee and travel expenses will be offered to selected architects based outside the local area, as necessary.

Timeline

• 19 March 2019: Brief opens
• 5 April 2019: Deadline to submit response to the theme ‘Boundaries’
• w/c 8 April 2019: Proposals reviewed by selection panel
• 10 April 2019: Architects notified regarding outcome
• April – May: Selected proposals developed in dialogue with RIBA curators
• w/c 13 May 2019: Fabrication and install
• 4 June 2019: Exhibition opening
• August: De-install

Selection criteria

There are no formal requirements to how the theme of Boundaries is interpreted, and entrants should approach the brief with an open-mind and inquisitive outlook. The RIBA assesses submissions based on artistic excellence, the ability to articulate a cohesive curatorial narrative, feasibility of delivering the project on time and to budget and considerations to sustainable construction and material methods.

How to apply

To be considered, please complete the application form.

To complete the form, you will need:

• Practice/team name
• Team description
• Proposal Statement (less than 400 words)
• Installation proposal of less than 10MB (up to 3 pages, including up to 5 images of relevant past work)

Download a selection of plans and photographs of the RIBA Architecture Gallery.

If you have any questions please contact [email protected].

Deadline for entries is 5 April 2019 at 5pm.