Open Call, Design Brief Release | International Competition for Conceptual Design of Landmark Buildings of Quzhou

The Most Important Landmark Buildings in Quzhou

Project #1: Wenli Lake Landmark Buildings

Project #2: Intelligent Island Landmark Buildings

International Competition for Conceptual Design of Landmark Buildings of Quzhou is now open for application. The competition consists of 2 projects. Project #1 is the Wenli Lake Landmark Buildings, and Project #2 is the Intelligent Island Landmark Buildings. Designers are welcome to participate. The competition materials including Work Rules and Design Brief will be sent to those who have submitted the pre-registration and material download application by email, please wait patiently.

Project #1 is open for institutions and individuals. The total bonus for institutions is RMB 7200000, of which the bonus for First Prize is RMB 3400000 (including bonus and follow-up work design fee). For individual applicants, the result will be announced after one round of concept proposal review. The total bonus for individuals is RMB 400000, of which the bonus for First Prize is RMB 150000.

Project #2 is open for institutions only. The total bonus for institutions is RMB 5800000, of which the bonus for First Prize is RMB 2600000 (including bonus and follow-up work design fee).

For above 2 projects, the competition for institutions includes 3 phases: concept proposal (anonymous review), design competition (open review, presentation required) and final evaluation. Institutions are allowed to participate in 2 projects at the same time, and there is no qualification or design experience requirements for institutions.

Project Homepage: http://quzhou.archiposition.com/

01 Competition Background

Quzhou is located in the west of Zhejiang, the beginning of Qiantang River, the border of Zhejiang, Anhui, Fujian and Jiangxi. Quzhou is committed to build a central city on the boundaries of four provinces, to become a bridgehead for Zhejiang's economic expansion to the midwestern provinces, and to become a new growth point for Zhejiang's economic development.

The High-Speed Railway New Town is a new planned area in Quzhou, which will be developed by relying on the Quzhouxi Railway Station and will become the gateway to the west of Quzhou. Quzhou has previously held several international competitions for urban design and architectural design, which aims to gather the strength of elite teams from around the world to create a new town of Quzhou, the High-Speed Railway New Town, with cutting-edge, pioneering design concepts. So far, several excellent design projects such as Quzhouxi Railway Station and Quzhou Sports Park have been implemented in High-Speed Railway New Town, and the construction of other cultural, industrial and commercial & office projects is in full swing.

In this context, Quzhou aims to create landmark buildings representing the image of Quzhou. The landmark buildings are located on the bank of Wenli Lake, the central area of High-Speed Railway New Town, and the Intelligent Island, which is the important area for driving the development of the High-Speed Railway New Town to the east and south.

Under this context, International Competition for Conceptual Design of Landmark Buildings of Quzhou is now open for application. The competition is hosted by the People's Government of Quzhou Municipality, organized by the Administration Committee of Quzhou Smart New City, and co-organized by Shenzhen Position Spatial Culture Development Co., Ltd. The project will call for conceptual design of iconic landmark buildings from worldwide designers.

The competition consists of 2 projects. Project #1 is the Wenli Lake Landmark Buildings, and Project #2 is the Intelligent Island Landmark Buildings.

Project #1 Wenli Lake Landmark Buildings are located at the gateway area of Quzhouxi Railway Station, and will be built into the highest buildings in the central area of Quzhou. Project #1 is open for institutions and individuals, while the review will be organized separately. It is not allowed to submit the same Concept Proposal to both the competition review for institutions and individuals.

Project #2 Intelligent Island Landmark Buildings are located in the important area of the High-Speed Railway New Town, which will drive the development of the city to the east and south. It will be built into the landmark buildings leading the development of innovative industries in Intelligent Island. Project #2 is open for institutions only.

For institutions, participating in Project #1 and Project #2 at the same time is allowed.

02  Competition Objectives

The competition aims to create landmark buildings representing the image of Quzhou. Designers are encouraged to propose creative and diversified design concepts based on their understanding of background and culture of the city from multiple perspectives, and interpret the significance of landmark buildings to the city in multiple dimensions. Design key points include:

Pioneer · Future

Show cutting-edge architectural ideas, and represent the pioneering and future spirit of the city; innovations are encouraged.

Connection · Sharing

Build the anchor point and highest place of the High-Speed Railway New Town of Quzhou. Promote the interaction between buildings and city, and stimulate public vitality.

Site-Specific · Integration

Integrate cultural elements, and consider local characteristics and landscape resources to create a unique city symbol.

Artistic · Aesthetic

Create timeless classic architectural works and build it into a focal point of urban art and culture.

03  Project Overview

Project #1: Wenli Lake Landmark Buildings

Project #1 Wenli Lake Landmark Buildings are located on the west bank of Wenli Lake. Wenli Lake, located in the central core area of the High-Speed Railway New Town, is the key node of the planned water system of High-Speed Railway New Town, linking the north and south. The project is located on the important city central axis from Quzhouxi Railway Station to Wenli Lake. Together with those famous landmark buildings gathering here, which include Quzhou Sports Park, Quzhouxi Railway Station, etc., the project will establish an iconic architectural sequence of the High-Speed Railway New Town, and create an image of a pioneer city.

The project contains 3 plots. It is planned to build 2 or 3 high-rise/ultra high-rise buildings, with main functions including commercial, office, retail, conference & exhibition, leisure & entertainment, etc. The total site area of the project is about 30290 square meters, and the FAR is 4.0 to 5.0. The overall building height restriction is 150 meters. The building height of the design scheme must not exceed the height restriction, but should be as close to the building height restriction as possible. Design team shall propose a conceptual design with iconic and recognizable features, and carry out corresponding functional planning. Attention should be paid to dealing with the relationship between Wenli Lake and the buildings. The conceptual design has the possibility of partially or fully putting into construction in the future. Each plot should have the conditions for independent construction.

Check the panorama of  the Project #1 site: https://www.720yun.com/vr/82b299b6wnw

Project #2: Intelligent Island Landmark Buildings

Project #2 Intelligent Island Landmark Buildings are located in the Baijiatang Area at the southeast corner of the High-Speed Railway New Town in Quzhou Smart New City, at the front part  of the Intelligent Island on the south side of Changshangang River. Intelligent Island is committed to be constructed into a digitized industrial park led by technological research and development. The west, north, and east sides of the project are surrounded by Changshangang River, showing a peninsula shape. The design team needs to decide the location of the Intelligent Island Landmark Buildings within the site boundary in consideration of the surrounding conditions.

The landmark buildings should be in the shape of "Twin Towers", with the main functions of industrial R&D, headquarters office, hotel and related service facilities. The total site area of the project is 136483 square meters, and the total above-ground floor area is about 340000 square meters, of which the above-ground floor area of the Intelligent Island Landmark Buildings (including the Twin Towers and podium) is about 100000 square meters. The building height restriction of the "Twin Towers" is 100 meters, and the building height restriction of other buildings in the plot is 45 meters. The building height of the design scheme must not exceed the height restriction. The design team should give priority to the visual effect of the "Twin Towers" facing Wuyishan Avenue to the north and the Intelligent Axis to the south.

Check the panorama of the Project #2 site: https://www.720yun.com/vr/aed2euaOmnn

04-1  Competition Rules (for Institutions)

The competition consists of 2 separate projects that are open for registration. A design company can register for both or only one of the 2 projects. The competition adopts the method of Open Call, which includes 3 phases: concept proposal, design competition and final evaluation.

Phase I: Concept Proposal
The first phase adopts the method of “anonymous review”. Each applicant can only submit ONE Concept Proposal for each project. The Concept Proposal Review Committee shall determine 5 shortlisted applicants (without ranking) and 2 alternative applicants (with ranking).

Phase II: Design Competition
The second phase adopts the method of “open review”, and the chief designer shall conduct a presentation during the Scheme Review Meeting. The co-organizer will send detailed materials including Competition Document to shortlisted applicants, and organize a site visit and Q&A session. Each shortlisted applicant shall submit only ONE Design Scheme for each project. For each project, the committee will determine 3 finalists (without ranking), and the remaining 2 shortlisted applicants (without ranking) will receive the Shortlist Prizes.

Phase III: Final Evaluation
The Final Evaluation Committee will determine 1 First Prize for each project from the 3 finalists recommended by the Scheme Review Committee. The First Prize winner will receive the corresponding competition bonus and will be responsible for the follow-up design work after the competition. The other 2 finalists will receive the Second Prize. The 2 Second Prizes and the 4 Shortlist Prizes will receive the corresponding competition bonus.

It is allowed that one applicant participates in 2 projects, and the applicant could be shortlisted and become the winner for both projects as well.

04-2  Schedule (for Institutions)

The schedule is as follows, and is subject to Beijing Time (UTC+8).

04-3  Competition Application (for Institutions)

1. Email Application:

Application Letter with stamps and signatures and Applicant Information Form (electronic document) to the project email address ([email protected]) before the deadline. The subject and the contents of the email must indicate: "Quzhou (for Institutions) + project code + names of all companies of the applicant". Failure to submit email application or paper document will be regarded as invalid application. Please refer to the Work Rules (for institutions) for details.

Deadline for Email Application: 17:00, February 22 (Wednesday), 2023 (UTC + 8)

2. Concept Proposal Application Documents Submission (Paper Document)：

For each project, a separate, complete set of Concept Proposal Application Documents (paper document) should be submitted. The completed Concept Proposal Application Documents should be submitted to the designated address before the deadline. Concept Proposal Application Documents can be submitted on site or by mail. Late arrival or non-conforming materials will not be accepted and will be returned directly.

Concept Proposal Application Documents should consist of:

(1) Institution Application Documents: paper, A4 size, vertical layout. No more than 40 pages.

(2) Concept Proposal - Booklet: paper, A3 size, horizontal layout. No more than 5 pages.

(3) Concept Proposal - Presentation Boards: KT board, A1 size, vertical layout, 2 boards.

(4) Electronic Documents (USB Flash Drive).

Deadline for Paper Documents Submission: 17:00, March 1 (Wednesday), 2023 (UTC + 8)

04-4  Competition Awards (for Institutions)

After announcing the competition results, there are possibilities of partially or fully putting the design scheme of the First Prize for each project into construction in the future. The winner is required to conduct the follow-up design on the basis of the First Prize design works according to the comments of the juries and the host/organizer (including but not limited to making appropriate adjustments to the spatial layout and building façade). The detailing level of the follow-up design works shall be a conceptual design scheme. The final scheme should be approved by the host/organizer. The awards and bonus for institutions are set as follows:

04-5  Application Requirements (for Institutions)

1. The competition consists of 2 separate projects that are open for registration. A design company can register for both or only one of the 2 projects. The applicant should specify the project it is participating in when they register. For each project, a set of separate, complete Concept Proposal Application Documents should be submitted.
2. Domestic or overseas entities with legal business registration are welcome to participate.
3. There is no qualification requirement.
4. A design company can register independently or form a consortium applicant (hereinafter referred to as "the consortium") with other design companies. One consortium shall include no more than 2 members (including the leading member). All members of the consortium shall sign the Consortium Agreement legally, and clarify the division of workload and equity share of the leading member and the others. Overseas (including Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan) design companies without subsidiaries or branches in China can register independently, but if shortlisted, they must form a consortium with a domestic company before submitting the Confirmation Letter to participate in the following competition phases, in order to ensure smooth communication and technical compliance of the scheme.
5. The applicant must designate 1 or 2 chief designers in the application documents. Applicants composed of professionals in architectural design, structural design, urban design, architectural planning and etc. are encouraged. To ensure that the designers have an accurate understanding of the background and relevant requirements of the competition, at least one of the major design team members should be a native Chinese speaker.
6. The designers involved in this competition should be the registered staff of the corresponding design company. The chief designers must be truly responsible for the project during the whole process of the competition and the follow-up work including but not limited to site visit and Q&A session, and final presentation, etc. If it is found that the actual chief designers do not match the persons submitted in the application materials during the competition, the host/organizer has the right to disqualify the applicant.
7. Two or more legal entities with the same legal representative, parent companies and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, companies that have a controlling relationship with each other shall be regarded as the same applicant and shall not submit the application in the same project.
8. A design company can participate in no more than 2 consortiums to apply for different projects. Each member of the consortium shall not submit the application in the same project as another consortium with other companies.
9. The design team members of the Project #1 institutional applicants are not allowed to apply for the competition as individual applicant.
10. In Project #1, It is not allowed to submit the same Concept Proposal to both the competition review for institutions and individuals.

05-1  Competition Rules (for Individuals)

Individual applicants are only allowed to participate in Project #1. Individual applicants shall submit their information and Concept Proposal as required, and each person (group) will be allowed to submit only ONE Concept Proposal.

The committee adopts the method of "anonymous review" to evaluate the Concept Proposal, and determine 5 winning proposals, including 1 First Prize for individuals, 1 Second Prize for individuals and 3 Excellence Prizes for individuals. The list of winners and the winning proposals will be announced and displayed through the project homepage and other platforms.

05-2 Schedule (for Individuals)

The schedule is as follows, and is subject to Beijing Time (UTC+8).

05-3 Competition Application (for Individuals)

1. Email Application:

Entry Information Form to the project email address ([email protected]) before the deadline. The subject and the contents of the email should indicate "Quzhou (for Individuals) Application". Failure to submit email application or the design works will be regarded as invalid application. Please refer to the Work Rules (for Individuals) for details.

Deadline for Email Application: 17:00, February 22 (Wednesday), 2023 (UTC + 8)

2. Design Works Submission (Electronic Document):

After completing the email application, please send the design works as email attachment to the project email address before the deadline of the design works submission. The subject and the contents of the email must indicate "Quzhou Design Works Submission (for Individuals)". Refer to Work Rules (for Individuals) for the requirements for design works.

Design Works should consist of:

(1) Applicant Commitment Letter and ID Document: PDF format.

(2) Concept Proposal Boards: JPG format, A1 size, vertical layout. 2 boards.

(3) Defining Image: JPG format. Only 1 file shall be submitted.

(4) Press Kit: Design Concept Statement (DOC/DOCX format) and design works drawings (JPG format).

Deadline for Design Works Submission: 17:00, March 1 (Wednesday), 2023 (UTC + 8)

05-4  Competition Awards (for Individuals)

The awards and bonus for individuals are set as follows:

05-5  Application Requirements (for Individuals)

1. Professional architects, independent designers, students or design enthusiasts from all over the world who do not participate in the Project #1 for institutions can register individually or in teams as individual applicant.
2. One team shall include no more than 5 members. One of the team members should be the project leader (responsible for coordination work within the team, contacting and other related affair) for the team.
3. The same person shall not submit two or more applications, shall not register as an individual and in a team at the same time, and shall not join different teams for registration.
4. Teams composed of members of architectural design, urban design, structural design, architectural planning, art design and other disciplines are encouraged.
5. Those who register as individual applicant are not allowed to participate in Project #1 as design team members of the institutional applicant.

06  Material Download

Applicants must submit the application for material download before the deadline for material download application. Once the application is approved, the co-organizer will send the download link of the competition materials by email. The materials include Work Rules and Design Brief, etc. If you have already submitted the pre-registration and material download application, there is no need to submit it again. 

Click the link below to fill in the application form for material download application.

Link: https://forms.archiposition.com/f/ETMggv

For institutions, documents required for the material download application include (JPG, Within 5mb):

1. Scanned Copy of Business License / Business Registration Certificate (with an Official Stamp)

2. Scanned Copy of the Project Contact Person's ID / Passport (with an Official Stamp)

For individuals, documents required for the material download application include (JPG, Within 5mb):

1. Scanned Copy of the Project Contact Person's ID Card / Passport (with Personal Signature)

2. Scanned Copy of Student ID Card (Provided Only by Students, with Personal Signature)

If the qualified application is submitted before 17:00 (UTC+8) on workdays, the competition materials will be sent before 24:00 (UTC+8) on the same day; if submitted after 17:00 (UTC+8), they will be sent on the next workday. Please fill in the correct information and wait patiently.

For more details, such as intellectual property rights for this project, please refer to Project Homepage.

08  Organizations

Host

The People's Government of Quzhou Municipality

Organizer

Administration Committee of Quzhou Smart New City

 Co-organizer

Shenzhen Position Spatial Culture Development Co., Ltd.

Project Email

[email protected]

Project Homepage

http://quzhou.archiposition.com/

Phone/WeChat

Ms. Zhan, +86-18028798106

Mr. Lin, +86-18038132407

* Inquiry Hours: 9:00–18:30 on Workdays