Home for the Blind

Architecture and design are primarily thought of as visual mediums, with visual aesthetics at the heart of many aspects of modern architectural design for home and workplaces. But more than being appealing to the eye, great architecture needs to be functional. No one knows this better than those with functional variations that mean they have limited senses and rely on good architecture and great design on a daily basis.

The Home for the Blind competition is the first in the Bee Breeders accessible architecture series which focuses on exploring the relationship between architecture and accessibility. Architects and designers have a unique opportunity to reinvent accessible architecture by putting accessibility at the forefront of design, rather than leaving it as an afterthought. How can architecture influence how a person moves through a home? How can it help people to feel safe, comfortable and independent? 

For the Home for the Blind competition, participants are being asked to submit designs for a semi-detached house for a single blind occupant. The property would need to include all the basic amenities of a typical home such as a kitchen, bedroom, living room, and bathroom as well as a small courtyard. 

Participants are being asked to create designs that enhance the lives and living experience of the inhabitant. Materiality, circulation, and zoning are just a few of the things that participants should focus on in their project submissions.

There is no specified site for this competition, so participants are asked to select a theoretical site from their own home country. 

PRIZES

3 winning proposals, 2 special award recipients and 6 honourable mentions will be selected. Bee Breeders will award a total of 6,000 € in prize money to competition winners as follows:

1st Prize - 3,000 €
2nd Prize - 1,500 €
3rd Prize - 500 €

+ 6 honourable mentions

ARCHHIVE Student Award - 500 € + 50 € gift card at ARCHHIVE BOOKS
Bee Breeders Green Award - 500 € 


COMPETITION SCHEDULE

Final Registration: SEPTEMBER 8 – NOVEMBER 2  

Final registration deadline: NOVEMBER 2, 2021  
Closing date for submission: DECEMBER 7, 2021 (11:59 p.m. GMT)
Announcement of the winners: FEBRUARY 16, 2022  

More: https://architecturecompetitions.com/blindhome/

JURY:

Jos Boys, The DisOrdinary Architecture Project
Maya Mahgoub-Desai, OCAD University
Chris Downey, Architecture for the Blind
Rosa Lorenzo Downey, Architecture for the Blind
Alan Dunlop, Alan Dunlop Architects
Anonymous, So & So Studio

COMPETITION SCHEDULE

Final Registration: SEPTEMBER 8 – NOVEMBER 2 

Final registration deadline: NOVEMBER 2, 2021
Closing date for submission: DECEMBER 7, 2021 (11:59 p.m. GMT)
Announcement of the winners: FEBRUARY 16, 2022

More: https://architecturecompetitions.com/blindhome/