Bankside BikeShed Competition

The Architecture Foundation is delighted to announce the launch of an open international design competition to design a modular, portable and secure cycle parking solution on behalf of Better Bankside Business Improvement District (BID).

The competition forms part of Better Bankside's ‘Smart Green Business strategy' - a new EU funded project to improve local businesses' environmental performance. This currently includes a free recycling scheme, public realm improvements and information events. It is also actively promoting cycling for commuting and work related trips though its Travel Planning programme.

The issue of cycle parking has been high on the agenda of Better Bankside for the last few years. Data from a recent local survey indicate that up to 17% of trips made to Bankside on a regular basis are by bicycle. Discussion with member businesses has highlighted the problem of finding space for cycle parking, particularly when premises are leased or in older buildings. Better Bankside has therefore set a target to establish a secure cycle park in the western end of the BID area by March 2011.

The design competition is open, but not limited to: architects, designers, artists, product designers, and related disciplines. The Architecture Foundation encourages design teams to suggest flexible and innovative yet realisable designs for this portable structure. The winning entry will be built as a prototype.

Entries will be judged anonymously by a jury including Deborah Saunt, Director, DSDHA; Ashok Sinha, Chief Executive, London Cycling Campaign; Sarah Ichioka, Director, The Architecture Foundation and Jonathan Bell Architecture Editor, Wallpaper* magazine.

The deadline for registration and payment is Wednesday 16 February 2011.

The Competition deadline for final submissions is Friday 18 February GMT 2011.

Download the brief and appendix documents here.

To register, please complete the registration form and pay the registration fee of £30 (free for AF members) using the payment button here.

Download the registration form here.