Competition for a Double Villa

The Alexander Thomson Society is pleased to announce an international ideas competition open to architects and students of architecture to celebrate the work of Alexander 'Greek' Thomson, one of Glasgow’s greatest nineteenth century architects. It is being launched to coincide with the Year of Architecture 2016 and culminates in 2017 by an exhibition of selected entries to mark the bicentennial of the architect’s birth. The exhibition will take place in The Lighthouse, Scotland's Centre for Design and Architecture, housed in a Charles Rennie Mackintosh designed building. 

The objective of the competition is to invite designs for a contemporary interpretation of Thomson’s ‘Double Villa’, otherwise known as the Villa Maria. Accommodation should be equivalent to that of the semi-detached pair of the original design, and comprise arrangements for sleeping, eating, dining, washing and relaxing which reflect upon a twenty first century lifestyle.

The site selected is located in the district of Pollokshields in the south side of Glasgow. It is a level, triangular piece of land at the junction of Nithsdale Road and Darnley Road. The site is unique in that it is overlooked by the presence of three of Thomson’s buildings, as well as a magnificent semi-circular corner tenement obviously inspired by the architect. Lorne Terrace and Nithsdale Street tenement ranges are complemented by Moray Place, the terrace in which Thomson developed and in which he and his family lived at number one. 

Entrants are required to submit their proposals in a digital format, printable to dimensions of 420 x 420mm (A2 square format). A minimum of one sheet and a maximum of three should be submitted. The submission of architectural models is also encouraged. Entries should be anonymous. On registration a number will be issued, this should be included on each sheet of the submission and on the base of any models. 

Timeline 

Launch –September 12th 2016 

General registration closes – 23 December 2016 

Q&A deadline – 13 January 2017 

Submission deadline – 27 January 2017 

Announcement of prize winners – 24 February 2017 

Exhibition – 9 April 2017 Fee 

A registration fee of £20 is required.  

Eligibility 

This competition is unrestricted and open to anyone with the exception of the Trustees of the Alexander Thomson Society. 

Awards 

The winning design will receive: £500 

Two highly commended designs will receive: £100 each 

The judges may make other awards at their discretion. 

Judging Panel 

Mark Baines – Chair Alexander Thomson Society 

John Gerrard – Architect 

Tim Gray – GIA President 

Neil Murphy – Pollokshields Heritage 

An architect of international renown to be announced 

Judging Criteria 

The judges will be analysing each entry based on the following criteria: 

• Overall design 

• Level of detail 

• Concept and understanding of the precedent 

• Quality of submission 

Questions 

Questions can be submitted to info@alexanderthomsonsociety.org.uk, a list of answered questions will anonymously be published on the website under the Q&A tab.