New Berlin Natural Science Museum Architecture Competition, Natural City Architectural Contest

New Berlin Natural Science Museum Competition 2013

Design Contest in Germany, Europe

31 Oct 2013

New Berlin Natural Science Museum Design Contest

New Berlin Natural Science Museum Competition

NATURAL CITY – BERLIN NATURAL SCIENCE MUSEUM

INTERNATIONAL IDEAS COMPETITION OF ARCHITECTURE

Founded in the 13th century, Berlin has had an eventful history. Excavations from 2008 suggest that the city may be even older than was previously assumed: state archaeologists have discovered an oak beam that probably dates back to 1183.

picture from competition organisers

Almost no other metropolis has experienced such frequent, radical change transforming the face of the city. Although Berlin saw steady growth in its importance, dazzling epochs alternated with darker eras. Nevertheless, the formerly divided city has succeeded in becoming a vibrant metropolis in the heart of Europe.

Berlin has regarded itself as a city of knowledge and culture since the days of Friedrich the Great in the 18th century. The political and cultural developments of the 19th and 20th century are visible throughout Berlin’s cityscape, reflecting both the history of architecture and various approaches to dealing with the consequences of war and destruction.

Berlin has more than 170 museums, 22 of which belong to the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation financed jointly by Germany’s federal and state governments. One historical location is Museum Island, on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 1999. The Pergamon Museum and the Old Museum (Altes Museum), two places especially popular with the public, are also located here. Other state-owned museums are clustered around Charlottenburg Palace (Schloss Charlottenburg); additional locations include the museum complex in Dahlem and the Kulturforum in Berlin’s Tiergarten district.

picture from competition organisers

THE MUSEUM *

Museums have historically been centers of research, education, and public outreach. While most people think of natural history museums as places for public entertainment, the importance of museum specimen collections for documenting historical and present-day patterns of biological diversity cannot be overstated.

The role of natural history museum in the life of a nation involves: conducting research into the vast natural history heritage and biodiversity of the country; serving as a repository, of natural objects, source materials and taxonomists in that country; creating scientific awareness; on natural history resources of the nation through annotated exhibitions for public enlightenment in display galleries, publications works hops and human development etc., natural history museum prepares data bases on natural history resources, ecological diversity of the country and thus facilitate an information-retrieval system on them for use by the public, tourists and the scientific community as a basis for sustainable development.

It also provides identification services on natural objects and rich fauna, flora and minerals resources to user groups especially pest control workers in Agriculture, veterinary/human medicine and science teachers.

picture from competition organisers

SITE AREA **

The site area is located in the west of Berlin, near the popular Zoo of the city.

The site in delimited by the rail on the east side, by the Volkswagen Universitats Bibliothek on the west site, by Hertzalle on the south site and by many buldings on the north.

His position makes this site a great opportunity to think about a new natural and historical museum in the city.

picture from competition organisers

FUNCTIONAL PROGRAM *

LOBBY – ORIENTATION – HALL

TICKET/INFO/CONTROL
COAT CHECK
LOCKERS
SECURITY OFFICE E GUARD ROOM
SPECIAL AUDIENCE ORIENTATION
BOOKSHOP
FOOD SERVICE AREA
HALL
TOILETS
M&E ROOM

ADMINISTRATION – EDUCATIONAL

ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT ROOM
OFFICES
ADMINISTRATION
CLASS ROOMS
PRE-SCHOOL ACTIVITY
DISCOVERY
EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITY
EDUCATION STORAGE
COAT SCHOOL
CONFERENCE ROOM
GENERAL CUSTODIAL STORAGE
STORAGE ROOM
TOILET
M&E ROOM

EXHIBITION – AUDITORIUM

EXHIBITION AREAS
EXHIBITION WORKSHOP
EXHIBIT STAGING
EXHIBIT STORAGE
EXHIBIT DESIGN
OFFICES
AUDIO – VISUAL ROOM
LARGE ARTIFACT STORAGE
COLLECTION STORAGE
COLLECTION RECEIVING AREA
AUDITORIUM
TOILET
M&E ROOM

RESEARCH

LIBRARY AREA
LAB. ROOM
PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO
WASH AREA
RESEARCH ROOM
TOILET
M&E ROOM

Participants can change or supplement functional program and dimensions if they think it is necessary. Functions and dimensions are approximate.

Height of the museum is at the discretion of the participant.

Team must consider empty the site area. Bus station and any other elements, such as buildings or anything else that

TOTAL: 23.700 mq
TOILETS + CIRCULATION = 30% of 23.700 mq
AROUND 30% OF THE SITE AREA MUST BE USED AS A GREEN AREAS

picture from competition organisers

ELIGIBILITY *

Students, architects, engineers, and designers are invited to participate to this competition. Admissions will be accepted for individuals as well as teams. Teams should be made up of no more than five members and can be multidisciplinary.

TEAMS CAN HAVE MEMBERS OF DIFFERENT NATIONALITIES AND, IF STUDENTS, THEY DON’T NECESSARILY HAVE TO STUDY IN THE SAME CENTER.
The registration fee are for teams and not for each participant or member of the team. Each team may submit only one project proposal that corresponds to the amount paid. The submission of more than one project proposal may be made only after the payment of an additional fees.

The projects submitted are considered by the author that logs in to the Site and enter this competition. Every copyright infringement will be punished with immediate disqualification, excluding any compensation for the registration fee.

Signing up at awrcompetitions.com and participating in the contest, you are accepting the “General Rules” and the “Terms of Use” of awrcompetitions.com.
The works reached out of time will be excluded.

Awards are intended for teams, regardless if the participation is by individuals or groups. The prize includes bank commissions and taxes.

IT IS ABSOLUTELY PROHIBITED THE PARTICIPATION TO THE COMPETITION OF A JURY MEMBER, A RELATIVE OR A PERSON OR BODY CONNECTED PROFESSIONALLY TO THE JURY.

PARTICIPATION IN THE COMPETITION IMPLIES FULL ACCEPTANCE OF THESE RULES.

picture from competition organisers

AWARDS *

First Prize 1500 €
Second Prize 1000 €
Third Prize 500 €
+ 3 honorable mentions

Each winning project will be published on different scientific magazines and on several architecture blogs and websites, national and international. Winners and Honorable mentions will be published on the Website awrcompetitions.com.

Awards are intended for teams, regardless if the participation is by individuals or groups. The prize includes bank or PayPal commissions.
For all other information please see “General Rules” and “Terms of Use” sections on the Website awrcompetitions.com

picture from competition organisers

SCHEDULE **

October 15, 2013 Promotional registration
October 31, 2013 Promotion registration deadline
November 1, 2013 Special registration begins + Question period is open
December 20, 2013 Special Registration Deadline
December 21, 2013 Early Registration begins
January 21, 2014 Early Registration Deadline
January 22, 2014 Late Registration begins
February 25, 2014 Late Registration Deadline
March 09, 2014 Project submission deadline
March 13, 2014 Jury meeting – Evaluation period begins
March 31, 2014 Winners’ announcement

picture from competition organisers

CALL FOR ENTRIES *

Team will be registered between October 15, 2013 and February 25, 2014 and all projects, without any exception, will be delivered no later than March 09, 2014.

Promotional Registration Oct 15, 2013 – Oct 31, 2013 € 40
Special Registration Nov 01, 2013 – Dec 20, 2013 € 50
Early Registration Dec 21, 2013 – Jan 21, 2014 € 75
Late Registration Jan 22, 2014 – Feb 25, 2014 € 100

Fees are per team. Once the registration phase is complete, the fee will no longer be refundable under any circumstances; the only exceptions are described in the “Terms of Use” section on the Website www.awrcompetitions.com.

picture from competition organisers

REGISTRATION *

You must be correctly registered to the Website awrcompetitions.com to take part to the competition. Once the registration and the payment process has been successfully completed you will receive an email notice by AWR with a confirmation of the enrollment. In the confirmation mail you will receive a registration number which will be the only way of identifying you during the evaluation period. A further test for the correct payment will be the PayPal confirmation email.

THE PAYMENT OF THE REGISTRATION FEE MUST BE MADE EXCLUSIVELY THROUGH THE WEBSITE AWRCOMPETITIONS.COM, ADOPTING ONE OF THE AVAILABLE PAYMENT METHODS AND ACCORDING TO THE ESTABLISHED TERMS.
ONCE THE REGISTRATION PHASE IS COMPLETE, THE FEE WILL NO LONGER BE REFUNDABLE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES; THE ONLY EXCEPTIONS ARE DESCRIBED IN THE “TERMS OF USE” SECTION ON THE WEBSITE AWRCOMPETITIONS.COM.

By registering to a competition proposed by AWR makes you are implicitly accepting all the terms of use and the official regulations (“General Rules” and “Terms of Use”) of the Website awrcompetitions.com.

picture from competition organisers

PAYMENT METHODS **

The payment methods accepted are the following:

PayPal and Credit Card
PayPal is the simplest and safest way to pay online without disclosing the number of your credit card. There is no fixed time frame for the transfer of money. Registration will be confirmed and the code will be sent instantly in order to start the participation. With this payment method no commission fee is applied.

Bank Transfer
If you want to pay by bank transfer please contact us at registration@awrcompetitions.com. The fee corresponding to a specific period should be credited to the account provided by mail by the AWR staff. Any bank commission will be covered by participants.

Period Fee + Bank Commission = Payable Fee
IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE THE REGISTRATION NUMBER IMMEDIATELY AFTER PAYMENT, CONTACT registration@awrcompetitions.com

picture from competition organisers

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS *

Entrants must submit their proposal via email no later than:
MARCH 09, 2014 (23:59 GMT +1) to the following email address:
registration@awrcompetitions.com
Each participant must send the following material:

– ONE A1 FORMAT BOARD (841mm x 594 mm) HORIZONTAL FORMAT with the project. (max. 5 MB) in *.pdf
Name file example: 14arc-u-01_board.pdf

– A REPORT A4 FORMAT (29,7 cm x 21 cm) VERTICAL FORMAT explane the design process. (max 1 MB) in *.doc
Report can include texts and images.
Name file example: 14arc-u-01_report.doc

– THE OFFICIAL CONTEST form containing participants personal information (available for download in the download section on the Website awrcompetitions.com).
Name file example: 14arc-u-01_personal info.pdf

A clear, concise explanation of the design that intelligently addresses the three key criteria and answers all the relevant questions in the call for entries. Explain the innovation and inspiration behind your idea. You are encouraged to give a unique name to your design.
THE RESOLUTION OF THE BOARDS MUST BE 150 DPI, RGB MODE AND SAVED AS PDF FILES.

THE BOTTOM RIGHT CORNER OF EACH BOARD MUST CONTAIN THE REGISTRATION NUMBER. ALL THE FILES MUST BE PLACED IN A ZIP FOLDER NAMED AFTER YOUR REGISTRATION NUMBER.
For example: 14arc-u-01.zip
THE BOARD SHOULD NOT CONTAIN ANY OTHER SIGN OF RECOGNITION, IT CAUSES THE IMMEDIATE EXCLUSION FROM THE COMPETITION.

NO ENTRANT SHALL DISCLOSE, EXHIBIT OR PUBLISH THEIR SUBMITTED ENTRY IN ANY FORM OR IN ANY FORUM UNTIL THE COMPLETION OF THE COMPETITION AND ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE WINNERS. ANY SUCH DISCOSURE WILL RESULT IN IMMEDIATE DISQUALIFICATION.

The official competition language is English. Any note or text must be written English. Any text written in a different language will be ignored.

When the registration project deadline is over the automatic system that controls the delivery of the projects will be closed and it is not possible anymore to deliver the project.
TEAMS WHO DO NOT RESPECT ALL THE REQUIREMENTS IN THE BRIEF, FOR THE DELIVERY OF THE MATERIALS, WILL BE IMMEDIATELY DISQUALIFIED.

picture from competition organisers

JUDGING CRITERIA *

Proposal will be evaluated the ability to interpret the complexity exposed in the competition brief and the approach to the particular urban and cultural background of Berlin.
The proposed solutions will be evaluated according to architecture quality, social and architectural features and technology.

The participants are especially invited to submit photorealistic renderings that represent in a best way the integration between the new project and the existing context.
The jury reserves the right to exclude from the evaluation phase the projects that do not meet the criteria mentioned in the competition.
The jury’s decision is final, faultless and sovereign in order to determine the winning projects according to the evaluation methods used previously.

NOTES *

All the material submitted to the contest will become the property of AWR. AWR will therefore keep all the rights to publish this material in order to promote the competition. By submitting a proposal, AWR will be authorized to use the material for the publication of the project in both print and digital editions, always referring to its author/s. AWR keeps the right to modify any information in its files in order to better adapt it to any book or magazine format.

AWR staff reserves the right to change dates, deadlines, requirements, regulations and contents of the competition taking place. The changes will be effective from the date of their publication on the Site. Participants will be informed via email. AWR staff assumes no liability for correct receipt of emails from the participants.

Project proposals are only for a single contest, which means that they are fictitious projects and the regulatory restrictions may be disregarded. No private or public sector has encouraged AWR – Architecture Workshop in Rome which remains an independent and free organization.
None of the sponsors or co-workers have an interest in promoting competition in place.

Signing up at awrcompetitions.com and participating in the contest, you are accepting the “General Rules” and the “Terms of Use” of awrcompetitions.com

AWR – Architecture Workshop in Rome does not assume any responsibility for any access problem, failure, malfunction or difficulty with technical instruments, computer, phone line, transmission and connection, the Internet connection that can prevent a competitor from the competition, for reasons independent from Association.
PARTICIPATION IN THE COMPETITION IMPLIES FULL ACCEPTANCE OF THESE RULES.

FAQ **
FAQs all about the competition can be submitted from the first day until the date specified on competition shedule.
Participants are invited to submit their own doubts and questions. AWR’s staff will respond as quickly as possible.
FAQs regarding the competition will be submitted through social networks (Facebook fanpage) or by contacting us at info@awrcompetitions.com.
Adhesions in social networks are possible through the links on the Website www.awrcompetitions.com.

New Berlin Natural Science Museum Competition information from AWR Competitionse

Location: Berlin, Germany