Sunbrella®: The Future of Shade 2016

Now in its fourth year, the Future of Shade competition, continues Sunbrella’s® commitment to the architecture and design community by nurturing the exploration of creative solutions in three unique categories create distinct challenges where shade plays a critical role in the response. 

Categories are based on three different  site-specific challenges to inspire entrants.  They include:

1. Humanitarian Challenge – Envision a temporary shelter that can be easily transported and rapidly deployed in warm weather climates throughout the world.
2. Wellness Garden – Create a habitable yet protected outdoor space that is a healing environment for invidviduals  working toward wellness at a cancer treatment center.
3. Building Shade  - Deliver a shade-focused solution to the issue peak daytime sun presents for Paradise Plaza and the adjoining Paseo Ponti in the Miami Design District.

The Future of Shade jury will select one winner in each of the three categories to each receive a $10,000 grand prize.  In addition to the $10,000 winner in each of the three categories, a special jury comprised of managing members of the Miami Design District will also review entries in the Building Shade category and select one design to be potentially realized within the Design District in 2016 and a $25,000 commission.

Miami Design District

The Miami Design District is a neighborhood dedicated to innovative fashion, design, art, architecture and dining experiences. The vision for a rejuvenated Design District – responsive to its historic, urban and tropical context – was codified into an urban master plan developed by award-winning master planners Duany Plater-Zyberk, with the additional participation of architects including Sou Fujimoto, Aranda/Lasch, Aranguren & Gallegos, K/R (Keenan/Riley), Johnston Marklee, Clavel Arquitectos, WORKac, J. Mayer H., Nicolas Buffe, Daly Genik, Freeland Buck, Tolila+Gilliland and MOS.

The neighborhood, now in Phase III of development, has a multi-layered landscape master plan designed by Island Planning Corporation. The locus of the district landscaping resembles a multi-level urban park spanning four blocks between Northeast 1st and 2nd Avenues, from Northeast 38th to 42nd streets. Construction on Phase III of development, which focuses primarily on 41st street, is slated to be complete by the end of 2016.

When complete, the Design District will boast more than 200 international high-end retailers, including luxury flagships, a dozen restaurants, renowned art galleries, cutting-edge design showrooms, a world-class boutique hotel, luxury residential condominiums, and numerous large-scale public art installations.

Entrants must register in order to be eligible to enter. Registration is available at www.futureofshade.com