UNI International Architecture Design Awards - Refurbishment Category

Background

The last 200 years have seen society evolve at a rapid pace, from the industrial revolution to the digital revolution. Urbanization has however remained to be a common thread.

Taking the fragmented urban fabric of a city, Re: Urbanism and placemaking seeks to reknit a complex set of spaces to come together within context, aiming at spatial continuity (this being both an urban and spatial issue) occurring at the architectural scale.

As cities continue to evolve, so do their programs and functions. Invariably calling for a change in the forms that make it, often crucial in ensuring that it does not fall into misuse/ disuse.

Adapting over time, can the existing fabric of the building/city assume the role of cultural memory?

Can the transitional element, acting as a bridge between the past and the future, mean that its users draw parallels with the ones that were there before them?

Can refurbishment become a way to renew the urban fabric, refurbishment being not only a matter of aesthetics but also that of social, economic, and ecological impact?

Focusing on the most basic of frameworks (typologies) of built spaces, UNI introduces Architecture (A- Z).

Challenge

‘R for Refurbishment’ aimed to bring together global design talents that explore one of our most primary needs as a population.

The challenge invited entries of spaces that are converted, renovated, restored, or retrofit, this theme aimed to recognize residential, retail, hospitality, and industrial spaces which have evolved with the utmost understanding of its user groups, its function, its adaptability, its environmental responsibility, and its urban context.

Some of the Best of competition projects are as follows:

Winning Project: Beira Mar House

By: Paulo Martins

Description: Built on a plot of land measuring 30 meters long and 2.5 meters wide, it formally establishes itself as a habitable corridor, which, from the moment of entry, is filled with moments of darkness, light, surprise, discovery, compression and, lastly, release… the backyard patio!

People’s Choice: Casa dos Oleiros

By: Paulo Martins

Description: This house is in the old part of the city, which has been in an increasing state of decline in recent years. In response to this trend, this project was aimed at taking on the contours of an archetype, in an attempt to establish a trend in the urban occupancy of the city: urban revitalization of the historic center and its occupancy by younger age groups.

Discover the design brief here: https://uni.xyz/competitions/refurbishment/info/about

Discover the full results here: https://uni.xyz/competitions/refurbishment/entries

Discover other design competitions to participate here: https://uni.xyz/competitions