THIRD ANNUAL DESIGN COMPETITION

"Utilize land to reweave the fabric of our cities"

For its Third Annual Excellence in Design Initiative Competition, Perkins+Will, an integrated architecture, interiors and planning practice, created a hypothetical project modeled after Atlanta's BeltLine economic development initiative. The BeltLine is a 22-mile loop of historic railroad that encircles Downtown and Midtown Atlanta. City planners view it as an opportunity to increase greenspace, improve transit and connect 45 intown neighborhoods.

With the challenge to help reshape and redefine the industrial landscape of cities, eligibility was open to all young employees throughout the firm's 18 offices in North America and Asia. The competition would allow only 48 hours from start to finish.

In order to engage all our employees from offices around the globe, we provided non-specific information about a “green belt” project. The term “green belt” refers to the reclamation of transportation corridors, i.e. railroad lines, common to many American cities, for public use. The fact that the project would be based in the Southeastern region of the United States was included in the description of the mission because that information is vital for various sustainable designs dependant on climate.

We have provided information on the competition, as well as renderings of the design entries, on these pages as a means to further the dialogue on this historic opportunity for the City of Atlanta.

THE MISSION

The mission of the Third Annual Perkins + Will Design Competition, held in late 2005, was:

• Mentoring design talent
• Creating a vehicle for innovative ideas
• Promoting the culture of design
• Offer opportunities for collaboration
• Further the firm's commitment to sustainable design.

The results of the competition are meant to evoke architectural discussion and public conversation.

Elements:
A Master Plan, Lot Plan and Building Design were required elements of each entry. All plans also demanded a focus on ecological needs. An emphasis on greenspace, pedestrian-friendly corridors and low-impact transit were key requirements, with the overall goal of redevelopment around transit to alleviate traffic congestion.

Deliverables from each team entry included:

• Public/private
• Circulation Strategies
• Open Space[s]

• Ground Plan
• Services
• Access points
• Mixed-use strategies

• Floor plans
• Sections
• Exterior View[s]