Students + Recent Grads: Paid Design Competition Charrette in Bonita Springs, Florida

An existing resort development is looking to double the number of units, and expand the property’s retail and amenity offerings. This 4-day, in-residence, paid team competition/charrette asks current graduate students or recent graduates in architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, or related disciplines to design a concept for developing a large site adjacent to the existing resort units.

Bonita Village is an existing 80 unit condo/short-term rental resort property on 20 acres in Bonita Springs, FL. The property developer, Omer Dror, a Yale MBA and MIT Real Estate Development master student with 20+ years of experience, is planning to further develop the surrounding property. A 90 unit condo building is due to begin construction in Summer 2020, and is already 10% pre-sold. The developer is looking to develop an additional 600 condo units which can also be leased on a short-term basis. In addition, the developer is expanding the property’s offerings to include retail and other amenities. Given the region’s high population density in the peak season (December-April) and lower density in summer, the developer is looking for ideas about how to design the site to accommodate temporary or semi-permanent buildings. Detailed information and assumptions about climate change, driverless cars ownership, and more will be provided upon acceptance into the competition.

COMPETITION BENEFITS:

• Grand prize: $10,000 (1 team selected)

• Second prize(s): $5,000 (best revised post-competition proposal)

• Participation stipend: $1,500 (per team)

• Transportation provided to the property

• 2-3 bedroom rental unit to work and live in for the duration of the competition

• Access to resort amenities (pools and fitness center)

• Supplies

• 3 meals/day

• Visits to nearby attractions

• Day on a boat (optional, time permitting)

• Competition and development proposal experience

DESIGN COMPETITION:

• 4 day in-residence design charrette

• Propose a master plan for the 20 acre site including:

  • 600 new condo/short term rental units

  • 100,000 sqft new retail/civic space

  • Upgraded pools, fitness center and clubhouse

  • New resort cafe, bar, resort pool, concierge services, meeting rooms

• Submit deliverables (while in residence):

  • 2 detailed site plans

  • 3-4 site sections

  • Diagrams

  • 3 perspective drawings

  • Additional drawings + inspiration images

  • Working 3d model

• Teams of 2-4 graduate students or recent graduates

• Multiple competition dates available depending on team members’ availabilities

• $1,500 team stipend paid upon submission of deliverables on last day of competition

• Grand prize awarded July 2019

More info: www.bonitavillagecompetition.com

Apply in 5 minutes: resume, portfolio, and info for each team member: www.bonitavillagecompetition.com/rfq