Architects depict Trump's America in the “Complicity and Defiance” charrette — winners announced!

The U.S.A. is barely 100 days into the Trump presidency, and a sure hell of a lot has happened in the last few months, huh? No doubt, the design community has reacted strongly to Trump's rambunctious power-mongering, including a revival of the debate on complicity and defiance in architecture. In relation to this, competition organizer Archistophanes/Reality Cues — who previously created the cheeky “Good Walls Make Good Neighbors, Mr. Trump” competition — launched the Complicity and Defiance in Architecture design charrette.

The charrette invited participants to come up with an architectural image that clearly communicates “a provocative message of critique and/or defiance” towards any of Trump's authoritarian legislation measures. With (sadly) multiple major issues to pick from, the entries ranged from infographic-like images to elaborate illustrations with snarky and foreboding narratives.

Check out the three prize winners and honorable mentions below!

1ST PLACE: Oil Border by Elisabeth Drumpf

DESCRIPTION: “Killing two birds with one stone, President Trump ordered an open trench dug at the US/Canadian border, thus converted the Keystone Pipeline into a easily policed oilway. Processing plants opened on the US side bringing much needed jobs back to the economy.”

2ND PLACE: Absurdity Redlined by SJ Kwon

DESCRIPTION: “With longer than 500 years of rich history, the United States of America has constructed a nation with strong foundation and intricate social structure. As its 45th president displays questionable quality as a leader, it is our responsibilities to actively engage with the administration's direction and rigorously question its agenda.”

Humane Security Corridor by Zachary Wilson 

DESCRIPTION: “When typical security checkpoints aren't enough to address national security issues at today’s airports, architecture has a chance to intervene. By utilizing a fundamental aspect of architecture, the corridor, the Humane Security Corridor is an additional layer of security used to screen suspect individuals in a controlled, and humane manner.”

Don't forget the Honorable Mentions in the gallery below! You can read their descriptions and find more of the submissions here.

All images courtesy of Reality Cues.