Competition Update May 2018:

Final protoypes from the competition finalists will be on display at the Houston Center  for Contemporary Craft  June 7 - 30, 2018.

There will be a reception with the designers on Thursday June 7th, 5:30 - 7pm. 

Congratulations to the competition finalists!

Competition Details

Architecture Center Houston is requesting submissions for designs of new exhibit furniture. The furniture will replace the exhibit furniture we lost in the flooding of Hurricane Harvey. The winning design(s) will be fabricated and used at the new Architecture Center Houston. Below is a list of primary considerations:

1. Aesthetics: The furniture should be of excellent design, but should not distract from or compete with the items which will be displayed on the furniture.
2. Function for versatility: Display requirements vary greatly between exhibits. Modular and/or interchangeable elements that allow for versatility in display size and height are encouraged.
3. Function for storage: There will be limited storage space at the new center. Designs that can store flat or otherwise create economy of space are required.
4. Durability: The furniture should be designed for frequent handling and long term use.
5. Fabrication and budget: The furniture should be able to be fabricated locally and for a reasonable cost.

A jury of design professionals and representatives of Architecture Center Houston will choose up to 5 finalists. Each finalist will receive a $500 honorarium and resources for creating a prototype of their design. The Architecture Center Houston Exhibitions and Programs Committee will choose the winning design(s) from the finalists. The winning designer(s) will retain intellectual ownership of their design(s), but will grant Architecture Center Houston the right to reproduce the furniture in perpetuity for use in ArCH exhibits and programs.

Funds for this competition are provided by Architecture Center Houston Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts and the City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance.

Submission Requirements:
1. Each firm or individual may enter once. This competition is open to architects, designers, makers, and artists in the greater Houston area.
2.  Download and complete the submission form and then upload to the document services link provided in the form.
3.  You will be allowed up to 10 images and a 250 word description. Be sure that materials are listed in the  description and can be easily identified in your images.

Timeline:
Nov 10, 2017   Call for submissions is open
Feb 2, 2018    Deadline for submissions. 5:00pm CST
February - March 2018    Competition Jury & Interviews with Finalists
March 2018   Announcement of Finalists
March - May 2018   Production of finalists’ prototypes
June 2018   Promotion & Exhibition of Finalists
June 2018    Selection & Production of Winning Design(s)

Please direct any questions to Mat Wolff at mat@aiahouston.org or 713-520-0155.