Humble Architecture: Everest Challenge

The global climate crisis has highlighted the impact of construction and architecture on the environment, and the importance of humble but thoughtful designs that would improve the lives of users and treat their surroundings with respect. However, a culture of ego-driven architecture is quickly becoming a problem in our profession. An architect’s desire to be noticed only for glitzy and pompous facades, often neglecting the real, hidden design challenges, is not what the world needs right now.

Therefore, Bee Breeders has launched its Humble Architecture competition series. Each ideas competition in the series is set in a different world-famous location and seeks to solve a problem universal to all of them - bathrooms. Toilet design is not usually something that would be featured in the front pages of your portfolio, however, we believe these challenges can be much more complex than they first appear, and solving them can be unexpectedly rewarding.

Humble Architecture: Everest Challenge

The world’s tallest mountain, Mount Everest, has long been a popular tourist destination, but the environmental impact of trekkers not having a place to relieve themselves is causing a real problem. Human waste particles can contaminate the snow, and even become airborne and cause illness in other travelers and locals. Not to mention the unpleasant fact that almost every step you take will have you stepping in excrement.

Because of this, tourists are not always thought of fondly by local communities, and the damage caused by tourism could end up negating the economic benefits of it, especially in vulnerable areas.

For the Humble Architecture: Everest Challenge, participants are tasked with designing sustainable toilet facilities on Mount Everest that seamlessly blend into the environment. There are few, if any, toilet facilities on Everest past Base Camp, and therefore participants can choose to use this competition as a tool to critique existing facilities or to design completely new ones. 

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 21 – NOVEMBER 15

Final registration deadline: NOVEMBER 15, 2021 
Closing date for submission: DECEMBER 17, 2021 (11:59 p.m. GMT) 
Announcement of the winners: MARCH 1, 2022

More: https://architecturecompetitions.com/humbleeverest/

JURY:

Diego Baraona, DBAA
Martin Beverfjord, Rever & Drage
Greg Corso, SPORTS Collaborative
Gonçalo Marrote, Madeiguincho
Rok Oman, OFIS architects
Stephen Pimbley, SPARK Architects
Angelo Renna, Angelo Renna
Erik Sommerfeld, Colorado Building Workshop

Mount Everest, has long been a popular tourist destination, but the environmental impact of trekkers not having a place to relieve themselves is causing a real problem.

COMPETITION SCHEDULE

Finale Registration: SEPTEMBER 21 – NOVEMBER 15

Final registration deadline: NOVEMBER 15, 2021 
Closing date for submission: DECEMBER 17, 2021 (11:59 p.m. GMT) 
Announcement of the winners: MARCH 1, 2022

More: https://architecturecompetitio...